Articles and News

The Critical Importance of Proper Installation for Ladtech HDPE Rings

• LADTECH INC.
• October 01, 2025

In the world of infrastructure, the longevity and performance of a product are directly tied to the quality of its installation. At Ladtech, we pride ourselves on manufacturing the most superior manhole adjusting rings on the market. However, even the best products can fail if not installed correctly. Our field teams have seen firsthand the consequences of improper installation, and their experiences underscore a critical message: following Ladtech’s installation guidelines is not just a suggestion—it’s a necessity for ensuring a durable, reliable system.

Here’s what our experts have to say about the importance of proper installation:

The Risks of Improper Installation

The most common issue our field teams see is the failure to apply butyl in the correct area on the ring or omitting it altogether. This is a critical mistake, as utility sanitary holes need butyl for I&I (inflow and infiltration) protection. While a bladder can be used, it’s not a substitute for butyl. It’s especially important to use butyl rope—not butyl caulking—if the system is being vacuum tested.

When installations go wrong, cities can become reluctant to specify Ladtech for future projects. This is why it’s imperative that we work with our reps, distributors, and city contacts to ensure they have the proper installation instructions.

Warranty and Replacements

Our warranty specifically covers faulty materials, not improper installation. In fact, our field teams report that 100% of the issues they’ve encountered have been due to faulty installs, not material defects. As one team member noted, “It’s typically contractors that are not installing correctly.”

While improper installation is not covered by our warranty, we handle these situations on a case-by-case basis. In one instance, a contractor in Napa, California, had a significant number of manholes rejected by the city due to improper installation. To save the project and preserve our relationship with the city, we worked with the contractor, providing new rings to help offset their costs. This example highlights a key point: while we don’t cover faulty installations, we will sometimes help out when there’s a positive long-term return on investment to the city.

These replacements can be very costly, involving contractor time, equipment, and labor to dig up the faulty install and replace it with a new one.

The Impact on City Relations

Bad installations can cost us a city’s business. As one team member shared, a bad install in Napa almost caused the city to pull the plug on Ladtech altogether. It was only through the combined efforts of our rep and the contractor, and by providing some complimentary rings, that we were able to save the project and the Ladtech specification with Napa.

Another team member recounted a rare case of a manufacturing issue that led to a collapsed ring in front of City Hall. To resolve the issue and maintain the city’s trust, we provided new rings, asphalt, guidance, and even lunch for the crew. Now, that city is a great resource for calls in Florida, proving that even in a bad situation, we can rebuild confidence.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the biggest issue with a bad install is the loss of confidence in our product. It’s incredibly difficult to get in front of contractors and city employees to show them the correct way, and this is true even for our best representatives.

At Ladtech, we are committed to providing the best products and support to our partners. We strongly encourage all installers to reference our official installation videos and installation sheets, which are available through your Ladtech reps and through the Ladtech website. By taking the time to install our HDPE rings correctly, you are not only ensuring the success of your project but also upholding the high standard of quality that defines the Ladtech name. Visit our English and Spanish install videos listed on our website, and on our Youtube Channel, and our readily available printable PDF install guides in English and Spanish listed on our website.

For more information contact us directly at adjring@ladtech.com or call our toll-free direct line 877-ADJ-RING

Written By - Dwight Wiedrich

Dwight Wiedrich is the founder of LadTech, an innovative, DOT-approved, patented HDPE manhole ring manufacturer. He has solved problems in the underground space for over 40 years.