Breaking into an existing manhole

[capital1965]

I am going to dig on the outside. The route in is not impeded by this iron sheet if I enter at the top end. The iron sheet is on the left hand side of the picture. It is about 8 inches to the side, running on an angle stopping me digging a big enough hole to get in and break into the manhole from the outside. It is marked with an arrow in the pic.

 

[Ian H]

That looks like an old manhole lid upside down.

 

[capital1965]

I guess it was surplus to requirements so they just buried it.

 

[John D v2.0]

or there might be something underneath that it's marking (gas pipe, treasure chest, unexploded bomb, dead bodies, etc...)

 

[capital1965]

whatever it is , it is staying buried if I can help it!

 

[garyo]

Looks like an old cast manhole to me too.. Why are you letting it dictate your drain routing. Hit it with a slege hammer and it'll probably shatter.

 

[capital1965]

I guess my question is if I break in through the end (top left of posted pic) will it affect the integrity of the manhole brickwork- would it weaken it to an extent it may collapse?

I shall try hitting the sheet of iron with a sledge hammer though having once spend a lot of effort doing the same to a buried old bath once which we exposed the top of, nothing happened. We couldn't break it at all. The surrounding earth just dissipated the forced of the blows. Ending up having to dig the whole huge thing out.

 

[Ian H]

No, as long as you don't go crazy with a sledge hammer the manhole will be fine.

 

[capital1965]

Thanks. A weekend of digging awaits then
.