Clark drain manhole lid stuck

[Ralph2]

I have a Clark manhole cover in the patio with a recessed lid to take the patio slabs. The retractable handles are covered by a plastic strip held down by two screws. Problem was the screws rotated but did not unscrew. It felt like the threaded inserts were turning in the plastic moulding. Soaked them in plus-gas for a few days but finally drilled the heads off the screws. Was suprised to find the manhole still held fast. Does anyone know if the whole screw needs drilling out to release the lid?

 

[foxhole]

Are you sure they are screws? often just quarter turn bayonet type fixings.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Drill the thread to make sure none of the screw head is in place and holding. You might need to pry the edge of the manhole cover all the way round. It will come up in the end, it just needs a bit of elbow grease and time.

We come across this all of the time (normally when the block paving has been whacked down/or the manhole cover has never been up before)

Andy

 

[Ralph2]

Thanks both. I did consider they might be quarter or half turn fixings but they would not release in any position. All four heads are now definitely drilled away so I'll apply a bit more effort and see what happens!