We recently read MSW Magazine’s article, “The Costs of Uneven Manholes” and it struck a chord with us. Although the article focuses on new technologies with installing new manholes and leveling existing ones, the main benefits of these methods also parallel the way ART rehabilitates manholes and services municipalities.
The article states, “Utility managers are constantly balancing high public expectations (and low awareness of what is involved) with the need to be as cost-effective as possible, while also meeting sustainability goals. Manholes are a potential weak link — and added cost — in all of these areas.
The most obvious, direct costs associated with poorly installed manholes and other utility covers are the labor and material costs of repairing roadways.”
This is particularly true in our line of work. Rehabilitation is an ongoing effort to correct the damage and keep the current access points in place. If a manhole is damaged, it makes it difficult for workers to access the underground utility lines that may need repair safely, and it can also lead to public safety issues. If the manhole is already damaged, showing signs of inflow and infiltration such as pooling water, cracking around the manhole, or an ill-fitting cover, the most-cost effective route will be to have us inspect the damage and propose the best option on how to repair it to a like-new state.
It is an unrealistic expectation to assume that your budget will allow for the hefty labor and material costs associated with installing a new manhole. Instead, ART has a solution that is both cost-effective and long-lasting. Using OBIC spray-applied lining systems, we can repair aging wastewater systems and protect them from future hydrogen sulfide corrosion. Significantly more affordable than replacement costs, a manhole rehabilitation with ART can have systems running at peak efficiency with minimal disruption to services.
The article also states, “When it comes to installation and maintenance of manholes, there is a lack of standardized methods and processes, and that can lead to injuries, particularly with less skilled workers on the job. Worker injuries lead to lost time, short-staffed crews and higher insurance costs.”
Our method of rehabilitating manholes optimizes the safety processes put in place 75 years ago and exponentially increases city workers’ safety, during both the repair period as well as the future maintenance of the manhole. More and more municipalities are beginning to realize how much safer it is to rehabilitate rather than replace. Plus, ART has an excellent safety record of its own, despite extensive work in contaminated and hazardous conditions.
Finally, the article poses, “Manholes, like the utilities they provide access to, are largely invisible when they’re working well. But they are a significant lever in helping communities be safer, more cost-effective and more sustainable over time. And that can pay dividends in good PR for your public utilities.”
We couldn’t agree with this statement more. We believe that a company is only as good as its people and its guiding principles. Our team is made up of experienced professionals who all share our philosophy of being DRIVEN:
- Dedication
- Respect
- Integrity
- Vision
- Excellence
- Nobility
These simple guiding principles, along with our faith, are how we do business. When you partner with ART, you can be confident that you are working with people who can help your community be safer, more cost-effective, and more sustainable over time.
See first-hand how our manhole lining systems can stop infiltration and restore structural integrity. Sign up for a free product demonstration at www.artcoatingtech.com/contact-us or call us at 419-636-2684.
