However, it should be remembered that when decorating a sewer hatch, care must be taken to ensure access to communication systems regardless of the time of year, but the hatch itself may be hidden from view. In this regard, it is necessary to think through and carefully calculate all the elements of the decorating structure. Here it is worth considering exactly where the well is located and what material its cover is made of.
Artificial stones: what are they?
Artificial stones for hatches are made of polyester material coated with natural stone chips or synthetic substances. The hollow structure is lightweight. Can be easily trimmed and adjusted to the required dimensions.
On a note! Externally, a high-quality stone imitation is no different from its natural counterpart, even to the touch. It has the same shape and texture.
The form can be in the form:
- boulders;
- decorative blocks;
- stumps;
- flowerpots;
- garden figures.
There are plastic products that have a smooth shape and a stone-like color. The stamping itself is inexpensive, but for the final seller the cost of such goods is almost equal to products made by hand.
Specifics of installing a sewer septic tank
Construction of a house on a site begins with the installation of a septic tank or well (when connected to central systems).
First, at least the pipes that extend beyond the building will be laid, so that later, before the start of landscaping the site, there will be an opportunity to complete work with technical structures.
The septic tank is always installed in front of the building’s façade so that the sewer truck has the opportunity to drive up to it to pump out waste.
Installation of a septic tank on the site
Typically, autonomous sewage systems require a hatch. If the septic tank is made of reinforced concrete rings, or is made of a metal box, you will have to think about what to mount on top to make it look beautiful.
We recommend reading: types of septic tanks for a private home.
The function of the manhole cover is to provide access to the septic tank and protect the facility from foreign objects.
It will prevent a person or animal from falling inside and will ensure the installation is sealed without letting odors out.
Well cover with hatch for reinforced concrete septic tank
Manhole covers are made of polymers and metal, but there are also other exotic solutions, such as mirrors.
Characteristics and types of artificial stones
Polymer materials tolerate temperature changes well and are resistant to precipitation. To add texture, mixtures of crumbled natural materials of different fractions (granite, basalt, dolomite) are used. Quartz is often added to add shine. By adding luminescent pigment, the decorative stone will glow in the dark, releasing the energy accumulated during the day.
Dimensions depend on the diameter of the well being closed:
- internal size from 20 to 40 cm is intended for masking small wells and sockets;
- 60, 65, 80 and 125 cm - used for hatches and septic tanks;
- over 125 cm - used in individual design tasks.
The decorative cover for the hatch can be of various shapes:
- imitation of natural stone;
- in the form of flowerpots, pots or flowerpots;
- in the form of garden figures.
They may have original decor (in the shape of a flower, stumps, an old book, a birdbath and a fountain).
Advantages:
- light weight;
- resistance to low temperatures;
- not afraid of precipitation;
- large selection of models;
- environmental friendliness;
- low cost
Disadvantages: unstable to chemicals, does not tolerate mechanical stress and loads, cannot withstand impacts.
Kinds
To improve the appearance of sewer manholes, it is permissible to use different types of decorative stones. Determine the appropriate one depending on the other components on the site. First of all, the material from which the house is made plays a role. Then they look at the paths, porch, fence, gazebo and more. The types that are more popular than others look like this:
- A rocky boulder is difficult to distinguish externally from a piece of rock. During the manufacture of decorative stone, crushed granite and fine-grained sandstone are used.
- Granite stone is a decorative boulder that imitates natural granite. It looks impressive from the outside. Granite chips are used during manufacturing. Artificial boulder is characterized by increased resistance to external influences.
- Sandstone boulder - the shape of the stone is smoothed, and its color is light. There are inclusions of quartzites on a smooth background.
Attention!
To make the composition that ensures the closure of the septic tank from prying eyes on the site original, you can combine several different types of artificial stones in it at the same time.
How to choose an artificial stone for a hatch
When choosing decorative covers for hatches, you need to take into account the size of the protruding structure. Be sure to measure the height. The dimensions of the internal cavity must be selected so that the element is completely closed. Pay attention to sufficient wall thickness and overall structural strength. The walls should not be visible in the sun. Elements covering a large area must withstand a thick layer of snow cover, which can reach a weight of 80-120 kg/m2.
Advice!
Take a closer look at the quality of processing of the inner surface and texture, at the nature of the imitation of fractures and chips of the stone.
The cost of delivery to remote locations may exceed the price of the product itself, and it is important to consider dimensions for transportation. The weight of the structure, several kilograms, is not significant in this case. Small stones for hatches fit easily into the trunk of a car. Almost any model, except the most massive ones, can be transported on the roof rack or in the back of a light commercial vehicle or minibus.
Materials
In industrial production, for structures made of artificial stone, a frame made of glass mat glued with polyester glue is used. The internal volume is filled with polyurethane foam.
When making it yourself, use the following as a base:
- A metal frame with a mesh on which a concrete or gypsum mixture is applied.
- Polyurethane foam applied to a mesh or assembled frame.
- Base made using formwork made of fiberglass, synthetic resin.
A mixture of stone chips and glue is applied to the finished form. Using different shapes of the frame and crumb material, they create an imitation of any stone - from basalt, marble, sandstone to serpentine, jasper.
Original design solutions arise when using additional fillers and paints. The stone loses its naturalness, but acquires unusualness and originality.
Structure weight
The weight of a decorative hatch cover depends on its design. Small manhole covers weigh 3-4 kg, the weight of a septic tank cover reaches 9 kg.
Using decorative garden figures on the lid will increase the weight by another 2-3 kg.
Closed house on a metal frame
You can hide a concrete well ring under a closed house. This house has a metal frame made of a profile pipe or metal profile. The height of the house should be approximately 20 cm higher than a person’s height to make it convenient to get the bucket.
- First, two frames are welded - “floor” and “ceiling”.
- They are connected by vertical posts.
- They attach a post with a height equal to the height of the entire house - this is the basis for the roof.
- The side parts of the profile, which will be the basis of the roof slopes, are cut off and a triangle is made. You need two such triangles. The roof slopes can be made equal or the slope with the hatch can be made flatter.
- The triangles are attached to a vertical stand. The tops are connected by a crossbar - this is the ridge of the roof.
- Mount the racks for the hatch on one of the slopes.
After assembling the frame, they move on to finishing the house. The roof can be made of corrugated sheets or bitumen shingles. The house itself is finished with clapboard, imitation timber, and siding. It looks beautiful if the well located near the house is made in the same style.
DIY lid decor
You can design the wells. Drawing, appliqué or mosaic does not require any skills or serious expenses. Those who want to feel like a sculptor can make any architectural figure.
The work is not difficult, anyone can try their hand:
- Using polyurethane foam, pieces of polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene, a block is made for further trimming. To add rigidity to the future structure, you can use a frame made of thick steel wire.
- To cut large pieces, use the tools at hand - a hacksaw, an electric jigsaw, a grinder or a hot string.
- Polystyrene foam, it is good to cut foam with a regular stationery knife.
- Small parts are sanded with regular sandpaper.
- You don’t have to be afraid of mistakes - a layer of polyurethane foam is sprayed onto the damaged fragment. After it dries, you can take up the cutter again.
The finished surface does not need to be treated before painting. But to give it strength, it is better to coat it with several layers of PVA glue, prime it with water-based paint or epoxy resin. Polystyrene foam is dissolved with gasoline, kerosene, acetone, and alcohol. Compositions based on them cannot be used in your work. Instead of painting the finished form, you can use a coating of colored polystone or any other acrylic polymer.
Natural and artificial materials
Bamboo, cork, natural dyes, wood go well with country, classic, Provençal, and colonial styles. Cones, bark, stones can create an original composition. Stumps and sections of logs can successfully close the lid of a small hatch. For durability, all wooden parts are coated with protective compounds.
On a note!
Natural materials look good next to wickerwork, furniture, forged elements, and rough fabric.
You may be interested in: Do-it-yourself landscaping of a summer cottage: interesting options Using thuja in landscape design: how and where to plant thuja in a garden plot Laying paving slabs with your own hands: step-by-step instructions with photos
Unnecessary things that have long since become dusty in the attic will help create decor that disguises not only well covers, but also all elements protruding above the surface:
- garden sculptures, busts;
- artificial flowers, dilapidated furniture;
- car tires, leftover building materials;
- old dishes, plastic bottles.
Old children's baths, metal and plastic basins can easily turn into an artificial pond. And by purchasing a small pump or an aquarium pump for 200-300 rubles, you can organize a whole cascade of waterfalls with a fountain.
You can make original flower beds from iron buckets, plastic bottles, unnecessary containers, and old shoes.
Old car tires are very often used to decorate the territory, equip play areas, and for economic purposes. Flower beds, drinking bowls, animal feeders, arrangement of beds for vegetables, garden crops. Tables, ottomans, and chairs made from tires can last for decades, and their manufacture does not cause much difficulty. At children's playgrounds, sandboxes, swings, tunnels, bicycle parking, and airbags are made from tires. Craftsmen carve complex figures of birds, animals, fairy tale and cartoon characters.
Color
The boulders will not necessarily be made to match the color of some natural rock.
Imitations can be painted in different tones, and they may well have different images on them. As one example, there are drawings that imitate rock paintings left by ancient people. It is not necessary to order false boulders with such an imitation - it can be done independently, using stable, weather-resistant, water-resistant paints. A rather unusual solution is to camouflage sewer manhole covers with artificial boulders that will glow in the dark. In daylight, the products look like ordinary stone, but with the onset of darkness they begin to glow with a greenish or bluish light. This effect is achieved due to phosphorescent substances added to the material.
Special designs
If standard sizes do not suit the task, it is possible to order individually. It is necessary to clarify in advance all the dimensions and height of the structure, decide its future shape, draw up a drawing or sketch of the project, and take photographs of the site of future installation. Having this set in hand, you can select a contractor for the order and calculate its cost.
Decorative lamps are installed in the manufactured structures. Illumination and evening lighting will not only create a combination, but will also allow you to confidently move around the area, feeling safe. The use of automation will allow you to turn on and off the lighting at a certain time or depending on sunlight, dim or partially turn off the lighting late at night to save energy.
Forms
Manhole hatches can take various forms:
- Square.
- Round.
- Rectangular.
The most common ones are round. The reason is that a large number of mines have this shape. The diameter of the hatch is selected individually, although there are standards. As a rule, the guideline is based on GOST 3634 99. This standard provides for a standard diameter, as well as weight and other characteristics.
The shape of a square and a rectangle is a rare occurrence. Although the specified GOSTs mention a hatch of this shape. It can be used when arranging a personal garden. This shape may be the most convenient for lowering into a well shaft. If a rectangular product is used, one of the sides may have a minimum edge of 300 mm and a maximum width of 800 mm.
Floristry and greenery
The manhole cover can be turned into a flower garden by organizing a small flower bed on it or placing a slide for flower pots. They will have to be removed from time to time to maintain the septic tank. Therefore, flower beds and pots should not be large and light.
The trellis will help decorate technical wells. In addition to the fact that a trellis can become a decoration, it has the practical function of supporting various plants and zoning the territory of a site. Artificial stone fits into alpine slides or rockeries. The variety of stone shapes, colors, and sizes will have a positive effect on the selection of mutual combinations of stones, decoration with plants and placement of accents in the composition.
Bright, unusual decorative covers will help to beautifully hide a sewer well or cover an uneven area or hole. Lifeless stones can add color to the landscape and become a decoration for the garden or yard of the house. They highlight the beauty of plants, decorate ponds, flower beds, and add style to compositions and originality to ideas and installations. DIY stone is an interesting and affordable idea for closing hatches.
Description
It so happened that humanity has become thoroughly accustomed to various engineering systems and can go nowhere without sewerage or water supply (at least cold water). But when you are planning to create a truly beautiful, even unique in design sense, site, you cannot do without hatches protruding in the most unexpected places. It doesn’t matter whether they protrude above ground level or not, in any case it’s ugly.
There is a way out, and it’s quite simple - cover the hatch or well with some kind of decoration. This will not only allow you to hide a useful, but ugly creation of construction engineering, but will also make it possible to build the entire composition of the site around a decorative hatch for wells.
Guests will not even guess that under the fairy-tale stump house of the forest elves there is an ordinary well hidden Source gazburg.ru
The photo shows an option of how to beautifully and organically fit a hatch into the landscape of a personal plot. Such a cover can be easily lifted, giving access to engineering systems, which means that repair of communications will be possible in any situation. Moreover, there are configurations that can withstand heavy weight (about 100-150 kg). Such hatches are an excellent opportunity to create artificial wooden stumps on your site as a place to relax or to create a fairy-tale meadow, which, in addition to design and aesthetic functions, will protect engineering systems from dust, dirt, and snow.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in water supply and sewerage.
