Articles and News

The Manhole Adjusting Ring

• LADTECH INC.
• November 06, 2025

In every city, under every street, there’s a quiet choice being made—one that shapes budgets, safety, and the future of infrastructure.

It’s the choice between comfort and growth.

For most municipalities, the manhole adjusting ring isn’t up for debate. Concrete and brick are the standard. They’ve “always worked.” But if we’re being honest, they’re not working anymore—not the way our modern cities demand.

So why do so many teams stay with what’s familiar, even when better options exist?

The Real Barrier Isn’t Concrete—It’s Human Nature

Engineers are trained to manage risk, but that same instinct can lead us to avoid change. Psychologists call it Status Quo Bias—our brain’s tendency to favor what we already know.

In practice, it sounds like:

• “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
• “The contractor won’t like it.”
• “We can’t afford to test something new.”

But in infrastructure, not changing is often the biggest risk of all. Concrete rings fail, leak, and crack. Maintenance costs spiral, and taxpayers foot the bill for repairs that never seem to end.

A Smarter Standard: The Ladtech HDPE Ring

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) adjusting rings—like those from Ladtech Inc.—offer an alternative that’s both practical and proven. They’re watertight, corrosion-proof, and designed to last 100 years.

Even better, they’re made from 100% recycled material, aligning with the sustainability goals most cities are now required to meet.

From installation to long-term performance, the advantages are clear:

• Lightweight and safer for crews to handle
• Faster installation—no mortar or shims required
• H25 load-rated for heavy traffic
• Eliminates inflow & infiltration and recurring pavement damage

Redefining Leadership in Infrastructure

The choice to specify new materials isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. It’s about leadership.

When a civil engineer or planner chooses to move beyond concrete, they’re not just changing a detail on a drawing. They’re breaking a cycle of deferred maintenance and setting a new standard for fiscal and environmental responsibility.

That’s the kind of leadership that leaves a mark—one that lasts longer than the asphalt above it.

The Bottom Line

Progress begins when we stop confusing comfort with safety.

Switching to HDPE adjusting rings isn’t risky—it’s rational. It’s a step toward cities that last longer, cost less to maintain, and waste fewer resources.

In the end, the real question isn’t “Why change?”
It’s “How much longer can we afford not to?”

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.