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SepangBlue Posts: 4,929 Forum Member ✭✭✭
04/06/17 - 13:11 in Advice #1
When I had my drive block paved six years ago, an ACO drainage channel was installed between the gate posts, thus complying with local authority regulations.
I really need to clear the drain out now but YouTube, usually a friend in need for this sort of thing, only features an installation with very obvious 'pop studs' on the upper surface securing the grating covers - unlike mine. I don't want to force anything so I'm reluctant to try and 'pop' any of the covers off in case they either bend out of shape or I simply bust something altogether.
Has anyone any experience of removing and, more importantly, re-securing grating covers, please?
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TelevisionUser Posts: 41,918
Forum Member
✭
05/06/17 - 19:27 edited 05/06/17 - 19:27 #2
I'd suggest going through Youtube's DIY inventory to see if anything's suited to your situation, such as this one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnmUeCY5CuA
...because the instructional ones can be quite good.
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SepangBlue Posts: 4,929
Forum Member
✭✭✭
06/06/17 - 18:17 #3
TelevisionUser wrote: »
I'd suggest going through Youtube's DIY inventory to see if anything's suited to your situation, because the instructional ones can be quite good.
Very kind of you and thank you! I've seen that particular clip before and yes, it's very instructional, but unfortunately my own ACO drainage covers don't have those studs that you see in the video. I imagine there are some sort of wing clips under the cover, but until I know for sure I really am reluctant to force things.
If you come up with anything else I'd be delighted to hear from you again!
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seacam Posts: 21,364
Forum Member
✭✭✭
06/06/17 - 20:49 edited 06/06/17 - 20:50 #4
SepangBlue wrote: »
When I had my drive block paved six years ago, an ACO drainage channel was installed between the gate posts, thus complying with local authority regulations.
I really need to clear the drain out now but YouTube, usually a friend in need for this sort of thing, only features an installation with very obvious 'pop studs' on the upper surface securing the grating covers - unlike mine. I don't want to force anything so I'm reluctant to try and 'pop' any of the covers off in case they either bend out of shape or I simply bust something altogether.
Has anyone any experience of removing and, more importantly, re-securing grating covers, please?
Hi,
ACO make several rages of drainage channels
But yours was installed about 6 years ago , so taking a shot as to which one and your description, it is very possible you have the now discontinued " Power Drain AK channel fitted.
It's boltless in as much as it uses a sliding lock/s setup from underneath, accessed through the grating holes with an inexpensive tool available from ACO.
They can be a bit of a sod to shift--the covers-- and same goes to refitting them, so before doing so, clear edges of grate with a screw driver or scraper.
You may have a clip design fitted, I have forgotten what the range is called, something like "Spring Lock" , again removal is through the grate holes and a hard pull up to release the clips, a tool from ACO is available for this although with this range removal can be achieve with long sturdy screwdriver, the correct tool is better as the clips are very strong and hard to release.
Anyone else reading this and thinking of installing grid drainage channels, consider a bolt system or a twist and turn mechanism, so much bloody easier.
1
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SepangBlue Posts: 4,929
Forum Member
✭✭✭
07/06/17 - 15:55 #5
seacam wrote: »
SepangBlue wrote: »
When I had my drive block paved six years ago, an ACO drainage channel was installed between the gate posts, thus complying with local authority regulations.
I really need to clear the drain out now but YouTube, usually a friend in need for this sort of thing, only features an installation with very obvious 'pop studs' on the upper surface securing the grating covers - unlike mine. I don't want to force anything so I'm reluctant to try and 'pop' any of the covers off in case they either bend out of shape or I simply bust something altogether.
Has anyone any experience of removing and, more importantly, re-securing grating covers, please?
Hi,
ACO make several rages of drainage channels
But yours was installed about 6 years ago , so taking a shot as to which one and your description, it is very possible you have the now discontinued " Power Drain AK channel fitted.
It's boltless in as much as it uses a sliding lock/s setup from underneath, accessed through the grating holes with an inexpensive tool available from ACO.
They can be a bit of a sod to shift--the covers-- and same goes to refitting them, so before doing so, clear edges of grate with a screw driver or scraper.
You may have a clip design fitted, I have forgotten what the range is called, something like "Spring Lock" , again removal is through the grate holes and a hard pull up to release the clips, a tool from ACO is available for this although with this range removal can be achieve with long sturdy screwdriver, the correct tool is better as the clips are very strong and hard to release.
Anyone else reading this and thinking of installing grid drainage channels, consider a bolt system or a twist and turn mechanism, so much bloody easier.
Cheers seacam, I'll have another very careful look and then maybe a tentative attempt at removal at one end.
Interesting you should mention the 'inexpensive tool' that is available for lifting the covers. Here are two places I've found so far where I won't be making a purchase, as they do seem exorbitantly expensive:
Thanks again for your helpful reply!
-
seacam Posts: 21,364
Forum Member
✭✭✭
07/06/17 - 19:01 edited 07/06/17 - 19:09 #6
SepangBlue wrote: »
seacam wrote: »
SepangBlue wrote: »
When I had my drive block paved six years ago, an ACO drainage channel was installed between the gate posts, thus complying with local authority regulations.
I really need to clear the drain out now but YouTube, usually a friend in need for this sort of thing, only features an installation with very obvious 'pop studs' on the upper surface securing the grating covers - unlike mine. I don't want to force anything so I'm reluctant to try and 'pop' any of the covers off in case they either bend out of shape or I simply bust something altogether.
Has anyone any experience of removing and, more importantly, re-securing grating covers, please?
Hi,
ACO make several rages of drainage channels
But yours was installed about 6 years ago , so taking a shot as to which one and your description, it is very possible you have the now discontinued " Power Drain AK channel fitted.
It's boltless in as much as it uses a sliding lock/s setup from underneath, accessed through the grating holes with an inexpensive tool available from ACO.
They can be a bit of a sod to shift--the covers-- and same goes to refitting them, so before doing so, clear edges of grate with a screw driver or scraper.
You may have a clip design fitted, I have forgotten what the range is called, something like "Spring Lock" , again removal is through the grate holes and a hard pull up to release the clips, a tool from ACO is available for this although with this range removal can be achieve with long sturdy screwdriver, the correct tool is better as the clips are very strong and hard to release.
Anyone else reading this and thinking of installing grid drainage channels, consider a bolt system or a twist and turn mechanism, so much bloody easier.
Cheers seacam, I'll have another very careful look and then maybe a tentative attempt at removal at one end.
Interesting you should mention the 'inexpensive tool' that is available for lifting the covers. Here are two places I've found so far where I won't be making a purchase, as they do seem exorbitantly expensive:
Thanks again for your helpful reply!
Hi and sorry,
As a company they are an inexpensive and necessary tool and we need them as and when.
For a simple, single procedure, £35 is expensive for what is a glorified screwdriver, come hook, so yes, expensive.
But as you have this type of drain channel fitted you should arm yourself with something that will do the job and just store it.
It is possible, coz I have done it, to fashion one out of a long stopcock key, these are about £5-£10 from the likes Tool Station, Screwfix Wickes, those type of outlets, not a walk in the park bur doable but I was desperate and my only option.
I have a son who is a blacksmith and he has knocked a couple of them up for us.
I have seen them going for about £17 new and ACO ones do from time to time come up 2nd hand on the auction sites
Meanwhile the link below, their prices are a bit better.
-
SepangBlue Posts: 4,929
Forum Member
✭✭✭
09/06/17 - 16:02 #7
seacam wrote: »
SepangBlue wrote: »
seacam wrote: »
SepangBlue wrote: »
When I had my drive block paved six years ago, an ACO drainage channel was installed between the gate posts, thus complying with local authority regulations.
I really need to clear the drain out now but YouTube, usually a friend in need for this sort of thing, only features an installation with very obvious 'pop studs' on the upper surface securing the grating covers - unlike mine. I don't want to force anything so I'm reluctant to try and 'pop' any of the covers off in case they either bend out of shape or I simply bust something altogether.
Has anyone any experience of removing and, more importantly, re-securing grating covers, please?
Hi,
ACO make several rages of drainage channels
But yours was installed about 6 years ago , so taking a shot as to which one and your description, it is very possible you have the now discontinued " Power Drain AK channel fitted.
It's boltless in as much as it uses a sliding lock/s setup from underneath, accessed through the grating holes with an inexpensive tool available from ACO.
They can be a bit of a sod to shift--the covers-- and same goes to refitting them, so before doing so, clear edges of grate with a screw driver or scraper.
You may have a clip design fitted, I have forgotten what the range is called, something like "Spring Lock" , again removal is through the grate holes and a hard pull up to release the clips, a tool from ACO is available for this although with this range removal can be achieve with long sturdy screwdriver, the correct tool is better as the clips are very strong and hard to release.
Anyone else reading this and thinking of installing grid drainage channels, consider a bolt system or a twist and turn mechanism, so much bloody easier.
Cheers seacam, I'll have another very careful look and then maybe a tentative attempt at removal at one end.
Interesting you should mention the 'inexpensive tool' that is available for lifting the covers. Here are two places I've found so far where I won't be making a purchase, as they do seem exorbitantly expensive:
Thanks again for your helpful reply!
Hi and sorry,
As a company they are an inexpensive and necessary tool and we need them as and when.
For a simple, single procedure, £35 is expensive for what is a glorified screwdriver, come hook, so yes, expensive.
But as you have this type of drain channel fitted you should arm yourself with something that will do the job and just store it.
It is possible, coz I have done it, to fashion one out of a long stopcock key, these are about £5-£10 from the likes Tool Station, Screwfix Wickes, those type of outlets, not a walk in the park bur doable but I was desperate and my only option.
I have a son who is a blacksmith and he has knocked a couple of them up for us.
I have seen them going for about £17 new and ACO ones do from time to time come up 2nd hand on the auction sites
Meanwhile the link below, their prices are a bit better.
Thanks again for taking the trouble, seacam. I now know my options, the rest is up to me. Have a good weekend!
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