Sewer inspection chamber

Joined
3 Jan 2011
Messages
272
Reaction score
13
Location
Kent
Country
United Kingdom
Unsure if this question is on the correct forum but would appreciate advice/guidance on this matter.

As part of recent building work, a 450mm inspection chamber has been fitted beneath my driveway - I'd estimate around 1.2 to 1.5m deep. The chamber cover is a plastic Hunter DS062. The problem I have is that the cover moves down whenever weight is applied. Using only my weight, the thing moves down by about around 10mm (estimate) at the edge. Having taken a close look, I can see it's not the cover distorting but the chamber structure it's screwed onto.

The driveway is crazy paved and the concrete all around the cover is, understandably, breaking up due to the chamber movement. I would hope this isn't the norm so maybe something isn't quite right with the way the chamber has been constructed or fitted? I should say that this movement has occurred since day one and it's far more pronounced at one point than others.

So my question is: what is supposed to stop this downward movement? Thanks for your consideration.
 
Sponsored Links
It should be surrounded in concrete.

The inside wall of the vertical chamber/tube is smooth but, from your response, I take it that the outside wall of the vertical chamber (the surface I can't see) has some fixing points or something to engage with the surrounding concrete? Otherwise, it's just a smooth plastic tube encased in concrete which I'd still expect to move up/down.
 
It will either be ribbed of flair out where each riser connects to the next.
 
Sponsored Links
regs say, if the depth is greater than 1.2m then the IC should be reduced to 350mm.
do you definitely have a frame for the cover ?
is your ic the correct load for a driveway - most ic covers get trashed in driveways by deliveries an similar waggons.
 
regs say, if the depth is greater than 1.2m then the IC should be reduced to 350mm.
do you definitely have a frame for the cover ?
is your ic the correct load for a driveway - most ic covers get trashed in driveways by deliveries an similar waggons.

I've checked the inspection chamber depth and it's just under 1.2m to the base.

Not sure what you mean by 'frame for the cover'. The removable circular plastic cover is a Hunter DS062:
https://www.hunterplastics.co.uk/products/underground/inspection-chambers/
It's well secured by three screws/bolts that screw into a flange so I guess that's the frame?

The driveway runs down the side of the property and is quite narrow. It isn't used by anything larger than domestic vehicles. I don't think a standard transit van would fit, for example.

It should be surrounded in concrete.
Does that mean all the way down - from ground level to base? Just checked the bld. reg. notes we submitted (which were approved). They state that the inspection chamber shaft will be enclosed in 100mm concrete - and fitted with a class C 450 x 600 block insert cover. Not fussed about the block insert cover. I didn't see whether the IC shaft was enclosed in concrete as per bld. regs. The builder carried out the ground-works so time for me to get in touch, I think.
 
any base is best bedded in concrete but thers no requirment for infilling with concrete although it might bea good idea to sometimes todo that.usualy the infill is some small stone and then earth backfill.

IC insert/recess covers are typical square and the blocks are inserted into the cover recess itself.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top