Installation guide
Four steps. No measuring. Under five minutes per cover.
Tools: a pry bar or lifting hook to raise the cover, and scissors or a utility knife to trim. That's it — leave the tape measure in the drawer.
1. Lift
Break the seal with the pry bar and lift the cover clear of its frame. Small grates often come up by hand; heavier covers want the bar and a straight back. Set the cover down flat where it can't roll off and find your toes.
2. Start big
Grab the biggest shim in the kit and try it in the gap between the frame's seat and the cover lip. Too fat to go in? Drop to the next size down. Keep working down until you find the largest one that actually seats — that's your shim. If the gap varies around the rim, size to the widest point.
3. Press
Hold the shim by the grab neck and press the wave section into the gap where the rattle is worst. TPU squishes, so a snug fit is the right fit. Big covers get two or three shims spaced around the rim.
4. Trim
Lower the cover, rock it with your foot, listen for nothing. Then trim the grab neck flush with scissors or a knife. Go back inside.
Troubleshooting
- Still rattles: you went a size too small — step back up, or add a second shim opposite the first.
- Cover sits proud: too big. Down one size and try again.
- Shim won't stay put: seat it deeper before trimming; the wave profile only grips once it's compressed.
Save this for covers on your own property. Public street manholes belong to the city — call them and enjoy the hold music.