The “Swiss Army knife” analogy gets overused.

But when a product consistently solves multiple real-world problems in the field, the comparison starts to make sense.

Most municipalities first think about manhole inserts in terms of inflow and infiltration control. That remains the core application, especially during rain events where unwanted stormwater can overwhelm sanitary sewer systems.

In practice, though, inserts are often being used for much more than that.

Depending on field conditions, municipalities and contractors use Rainstopper inserts to help address flood mitigation, sewer odors, construction debris, and grease-related sewer issues across collection systems.

Here are a few examples of how inserts are being used in the field today.

Inflow & Infiltration Control

This is the primary application for most insert installations.

Manhole inserts help reduce unwanted stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system during heavy rain events, helping municipalities manage treatment capacity, reduce system strain, and limit inflow-related overloading.

Flood Mitigation

In flood-prone environments, inserts can also play a role in protecting infrastructure during major storm events.

Following Hurricane Sandy, Rainstopper worked directly with the MTA to develop custom inserts for New York infrastructure. More than 250 units were installed across all five boroughs and remain in service today.

Construction Debris Control

Active construction sites often introduce sediment, concrete splatter, dirt, and fine debris into nearby manholes.

Using inserts at the structure level can help prevent material from moving deeper into the collection system, where cleanup becomes significantly more difficult and costly.

Sewer Odor Management

Hydrogen sulfide and other sewer gases escape wherever they find an opening within the system.

Manhole inserts can help contain uncontrolled odor release while directing airflow toward odor treatment systems, including media-based odor control solutions such as OdorKnocker RX.

Grease Trap Backup Protection

In areas with restaurants, schools, institutional kitchens, or other high-FOG environments, grease-related sewer issues often surface first at the nearest downstream manhole.

HDPE inserts can provide an added layer of downstream protection by helping manage debris and floating material before it moves farther into the system.

One Product Line. Multiple Field Applications.

Rainstopper inserts are available in both stainless steel and HDPE configurations and are used across a wide range of municipal applications.

The goal is not simply to install a product. It is to match the right insert configuration to the actual conditions happening in the field.

If your municipality is dealing with recurring inflow, flooding, sewer odor issues, debris accumulation, or grease-related maintenance concerns, Rainstopper can help evaluate the application and discuss available insert options.

Questions?

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com

Most manhole inserts are ordered pretty routinely: standard stainless or HDPE, standard configuration, done.

But conditions in the field are not always routine. Details like gasket selection, retention systems, handle style, and material choice can make a real difference in long-term performance and maintenance depending on the environment the insert is going into.

These are not necessarily major changes to the product. They are configuration choices that help match the insert to actual field conditions.

We recently put together a simple configuration matrix for Rainstopper inserts to help show what those options look like in practice. Here are a few common examples:

50-Year Gasket

For flood-prone areas or locations with high groundwater intrusion, gasket performance matters. A longer-life gasket option can provide additional sealing reliability in demanding environments.

Tetherlok System

In high-traffic areas, theft-prone locations, or anywhere insert retention is critical, the Tetherlok system helps ensure the insert remains secure and recoverable if displaced.

For HDPE inserts, Tetherlok also helps prevent drop-through events that can lead to downstream blockages, product loss, and costly retrieval efforts.

Stainless or Welded Handles

Some installations experience heavier wear, more frequent access, or harsher operating conditions. Upgraded stainless or welded handle configurations can improve durability and long-term usability.

316 Stainless Steel

In coastal regions or areas exposed to heavy road salt and corrosive conditions, upgrading from standard 304 stainless to 316 stainless may provide better long-term corrosion resistance.

HDPE Inserts

HDPE inserts offer a lightweight and cost-effective option for many applications. Depending on conditions in the field, additional retention or security features may also make sense.

None of these are overly complicated decisions. They are simply details that are sometimes overlooked during specification or ordering.

The goal is not to reinvent the product. It is to make sure the insert is configured appropriately for the conditions it will actually face in the field.

If you are evaluating inserts for a specific application or would like help reviewing configuration options, contact Rainstopper to discuss your field conditions and project requirements.

Contact Us

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com

Restaurants, schools, and commercial kitchens rely on grease traps to help keep fats, oils, and grease (FOG) out of municipal sewer systems. When those systems are overloaded, poorly maintained, or servicing high-demand areas, the effects often show up beyond the kitchen itself.

Grease trap odors begin appearing near manholes. Grease accumulates in sewer lines. Flow restrictions, maintenance issues, and blockages can follow.

In many cases, what appears to be a general sewer odor problem may actually be connected to grease trap activity upstream.

Why Manholes Become the Symptom

Grease traps collect organic material that breaks down over time and produces gases that move through sewer lines. Those odors often escape through nearby manholes, especially in areas with multiple restaurants, institutional kitchens, or high-volume food service operations.

Municipal crews are frequently responding to the symptom at the manhole, even though the source may originate farther up the line.

At the same time, grease buildup can contribute to debris accumulation, restricted flow, and ongoing maintenance challenges throughout the collection system.

Where Manhole Inserts Fit In

HDPE manhole inserts are not a replacement for grease trap maintenance, nor are they intended to solve upstream FOG issues on their own.

However, in areas with recurring grease-related sewer problems, inserts can provide an additional layer of protection within the collection system.

Depending on the application, inserts may help by:

• Capturing debris and floating material before it moves farther downstream
• Supporting municipalities managing recurring problem locations near restaurant districts or commercial kitchen clusters
• Providing a durable and cost-effective option for high-demand environments
• Assisting with odor management and maintenance control efforts in targeted areas

The Broader Context

Many municipalities already operate FOG inspection programs and grease trap regulations. Even with strong programs in place, challenges can still develop in areas where multiple commercial kitchens discharge into the same network.

Manhole inserts are not designed to replace those upstream efforts. They are one additional tool municipalities can use to help manage recurring field conditions and reduce downstream impacts.

Rainstopper insert systems are used across municipal collection systems for inflow protection, flood mitigation, debris control, odor management, and grease-related sewer protection.

If you are dealing with recurring grease trap odors, FOG-related maintenance issues, or specific field conditions within your collection system, contact Rainstopper to discuss the application and available insert options.

Questions?

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com

Why Sediment Control at the Structure Matters

On active construction sites, sediment movement is expected.

Mud tracks across pavement. Concrete splatter happens. Fine particles move with runoff.

But when that material enters a municipal manhole or stormwater structure, it becomes more than a housekeeping issue.

On sites disturbing over an acre, stormwater permits require protecting inlets and drainage structures and keeping sediment out of the system. Most projects already implement perimeter Best Management Practices such as:

• Silt fence
• Wattles
• Stabilized entrances
• Inlet protection

Those measures do a lot.

However, during active construction, sediment and fine particles can still track or seep into manholes and stormwater structures, even with the cover in place. When lids are temporarily removed for inspections, tie-ins, or grade adjustments, the risk increases.

When sediment enters the structure, it can lead to:

• Permit concerns during inspection
• Increased municipal maintenance and cleaning costs
• Reduced hydraulic capacity in the collection system

Preventing debris from entering the system in the first place is often simpler than removing it later.

Adding Protection at the Manhole Itself

Manhole inserts add protection directly beneath the cover. They help prevent construction debris and unwanted water from entering the collection system through the lid.

Rainstopper manufactures stainless steel manhole inserts used in municipal sewer manholes to control water entry through the cover. The same stainless steel insert used for inflow control can also provide protection during active construction.

This approach does not replace perimeter BMPs. It complements them by adding a practical barrier at the manhole itself, where sediment can enter the system.

Simple concept.
Practical application.

If you’re working on a project where manholes are exposed during construction and want to reduce risk at the source, we’re happy to have a conversation.
Contact us anytime. We’re glad to help.

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com

The Challenge

When Hurricane Sandy made landfall in 2012, New York City’s underground infrastructure was severely impacted. Treatment plants shut down. Underground utilities were flooded. Recovery extended for months.

In the aftermath, the Metropolitan Transit Authority sought cost-effective ways to prevent floodwater from entering access structures and underground vaults.

The objective was straightforward:

Protect existing infrastructure without rebuilding it.

Identifying the Gaps

Structure inserts were identified as a promising mitigation strategy. However, existing products did not meet the complexity of New York’s infrastructure.

Challenges included:

• Diverse frame shapes and sizes
• Protruding locking lugs
• Drop rings requiring tight tolerance
• Oversized 48-inch openings
• The need for gas monitoring without removing inserts

No single product addressed all conditions.

Engineering the Solution

Rainstopper worked with contractors including Zafra Minhas Construction and WBE Dorcas Inc. to develop five new insert designs:

• Stainless steel insert with extended lip and angled drop
• Square insert for ConEd electric utility structures
• Extended-life elastomeric gasket for long-term durability
• Large-diameter 48-inch insert
• Insert featuring an external gas detection port

All products passed third-party certified hydrostatic testing at 16 feet of water head. Units exceeded the 1,000-hour requirement, with some operating beyond 2,500 hours under sustained pressure.

More than 250 units were manufactured and installed following detailed on-site measurement training to ensure proper fit.

Results

• Standard specification approval with the MTA
• Installation across all five boroughs
• Floodwater prevention in parking lots, roadways, and utility structures
• Reduced inflow and infiltration into treatment systems
• No major infrastructure modification required

Ongoing Relevance

Flood protection systems must perform under pressure.
They must install efficiently.
They must work within existing infrastructure.

The inserts developed for the MTA remain in service and continue to support flood mitigation efforts across New York.

We didn’t approach this as a product exercise.
We approached it as a problem to solve.

Keep the water out.
Protect the infrastructure already in place.
Build solutions that work in the real world.

That’s how we approached New York then.
It’s how we approach flood mitigation today.

Questions about flood mitigation?

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com

In the real world, manholes rarely match the drawings perfectly.

Frames are off by a fraction. Covers have been replaced over time. Drop rings show up where no one expected them. Field crews are left figuring out how to make a standard product work in a non-standard situation.

That’s where customization matters.

At Rainstopper, customization isn’t a special program or an upsell. It’s simply how we’ve worked for decades. Our inserts are designed to solve inflow problems in real systems, not ideal ones. That means being able to adjust, modify, and build to fit what’s actually in the ground.

Why Customization Exists at All

Most inflow issues don’t come from a lack of products. They come from small mismatches that turn into big problems over time. A gasket that doesn’t seal quite right. A handle that doesn’t hold up in a harsh environment. An insert that fits on paper but not in the field.

Customization addresses those issues before installation, not after. Sometimes that means choosing a different material. Sometimes it means upgrading a gasket. Sometimes it’s as simple as welding a handle instead of riveting it. These are not complicated changes, but they make a measurable difference in performance, longevity, and ease of maintenance.

Built From Experience, Not Theory

Rainstopper has spent more than 50 years working directly with municipalities, engineers, contractors, and operators. Because everything is built in-house, adjustments don’t have to go through layers of approval or long redesign cycles. When a project calls for something slightly different, it can usually be handled quickly and clearly.

The goal is not to reinvent the product, but to make sure it works as intended once it’s installed. This practical approach is also why Rainstopper holds multiple U.S. patents. Those designs came from solving repeated field problems, not from adding complexity for its own sake.

Common Customization Decisions

Most customization conversations start with a few straightforward choices:

Material Selection
304 stainless steel works well for most municipal applications. In higher-corrosion environments like coastal regions or areas with heavy road salt use, 316 stainless steel is the better option.

Gasket Selection
The standard neoprene gasket performs well in typical conditions. For flood-prone or high-groundwater areas, the extended-life gasket provides added assurance and long-term stability.

Handle Options
Nylon handles are lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel handles offer added durability. Welded handles are available when maximum strength and zero failure points are required.

Security and Retention
In areas where theft, loss, or accidental drop-through is a concern, adding the Tetherlok system prevents downstream blockages and costly retrievals. For HDPE inserts in particular, this is an important consideration.

None of these decisions are complicated on their own. What matters is choosing them intentionally, based on how the system will actually be used.

Measurement Still Comes First

No amount of customization helps if the measurements are off. Accurate frame and cover measurements are essential for fit, pricing, and long-term performance. That’s why every custom configuration starts with the Rainstopper Measurement Worksheet. It keeps everyone aligned and prevents surprises later in the process.

A Practical Next Step

Customization doesn’t require having all the answers upfront. It starts with understanding the conditions, the constraints, and the priorities of the project.

If you want to see the available options in one place, or walk through how different configurations work together, visit our customization page. And if questions come up along the way, we’re here to talk them through.

Customization, when done well, isn’t about making things complicated. It’s about making sure the solution fits the system it’s meant to protect.

Questions about custom configurations?

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com

At Rainstopper, our manhole inserts have always been made in the United States, not as a marketing slogan, but as a standard. From sourcing materials to fabrication and assembly, every step of our process has remained 100% American-based since day one.

That consistency matters. It means tighter quality control, clearer accountability, and products built to perform in real-world conditions over decades, not just inspection cycles. It also means the people designing, building, and testing our products understand the infrastructure systems our customers work in because they work in them too.

Today, that long-standing approach aligns directly with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements. Rainstopper manhole inserts meet federal standards for domestic sourcing, which makes them a straightforward choice for infrastructure projects requiring compliance. For engineers, contractors, and municipalities, that clarity helps keep projects moving without added uncertainty.

If you’re navigating BABA compliance on an upcoming project, we’re here to make that part simple. Clear documentation, straightforward answers, and products that already meet the requirements.

When you choose Rainstopper, you’re choosing a company that has consistently supported American manufacturing: steel, skilled labor, and local communities included. We’ve been doing this since 1969, long before it became a requirement.

Thank you for the trust you place in us, and for partnering with us to build and maintain infrastructure that communities depend on.

Questions about BABA compliance or product specifications?

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com

At Rainstopper, patents are not about protecting ideas for their own sake. They exist to solve problems that show up in the field, day after day, manhole after manhole.

Over the years, we have developed and secured multiple U.S. patents related to manhole inflow protection. Each one came out of a specific challenge that municipalities, engineers, and crews were already dealing with. The goal was never novelty. The goal was reliability, safety, and fewer headaches after installation.

Designed Around Real-World Use

Every patented feature in a Rainstopper insert addresses a practical issue:

Tetherlok System
Prevents theft, loss, and accidental drop-through during inspections or maintenance. Inserts are secured to the manhole frame with a braided stainless steel cable, and the cover cannot be replaced until the insert is properly reattached. This prevents costly retrievals and ensures accountability.

50-Year Gasket
Addresses premature seal failure. Engineered and tested to withstand long-term exposure to water head, pressure, and environmental stress without leaking. Tested at over 16 feet of water head for more than 2,400 hours with zero leakage.

Patented Relief Valve Design
Provides non-mechanical venting of sewer gases. With no moving parts, there is nothing to seize, corrode, or break. The offset placement reduces the risk of damage during routine inspections.

Ribbed Pan Structure
Adds strength where it matters without increasing weight. The design improves load performance while keeping the insert light enough for one-person installation.

None of these features were created in isolation. They were shaped by feedback from the field and refined over time through thousands of real installations.

Patents That Perform Over Time

Innovation only matters if it holds up years after installation. Rainstopper’s patented designs have been used in thousands of manholes across the country, in conditions ranging from flood events and heavy traffic loads to corrosive environments and daily maintenance routines.

That long-term performance is what gives patents their value. Not as documents on paper, but as solutions that continue to work long after the job is done.

Built With Purpose

Rainstopper’s approach to innovation is straightforward: identify a real problem, design a solution that makes work safer or more reliable, test it, refine it, then stand behind it.

Our patents reflect that mindset. They exist to reduce risk, extend service life, and support the people responsible for keeping collection systems running.

Questions about how these patented features apply to your project?

Phone: 318-667-4330
Email: Info@rainstoppercompany.com