If you’ve noticed low water pressure, unexpectedly high-water bills, discoloured water or strange tastes, it could be a sign of a leak or failing supply pipes and mean it’s time for water supply pipe replacement – especially if your system still uses lead or other outdated materials. These problems are common for both homeowners and small businesses in Amersham. If you’re dealing with these issues, you’re likely searching online for terms like “water line repair” or exploring lead pipe replacement as a long-term solution.
Watermains replacement in Amersham has undergone big changes in recent years, thanks to modern moling and drilling machines. In a town where space is limited and streets are constantly in use, traditional excavation is no longer the most practical solution. Replacing or installing water mains in such a densely populated and historic town calls for smart, low-disruption methods. EPS Trenchless Installations uses modern trenchless “no-dig” solutions. This shift allows for faster, cleaner, and more efficient utility installations, especially in built-up areas
As a water company approved contractor, EPS Trenchless Installations is trusted in Amersham and surrounding areas for domestic and business water infrastructure repair and replacement. Whether you’re dealing with aging pipes or planning a new connection, we provide reliable solutions backed by years of expertise in moling and horizontal directional drilling.
Impact moling, sometimes referred to as pipe moling or pneumatic moling, is a cutting-edge trenchless technology for installing underground utilities, including water pipes, electric cables, and fibre optic lines. It involves using a device called an impact mole. Occasionally referred as a water mole or pipe mole machine, an impact mole is a pneumatic burrowing device that creates horizontal boreholes through repetitive percussive action. Impact moling is faster and cheaper with the impact moling cost per meter being significantly lower than traditional open cut methods.
The technique is particularly effective in urban settings, where minimising disruption to roads, footpaths, landscapes, and other infrastructure is important. In more rural areas, moling with its minimal environmental impact preserves the local ecosystems, countryside, and wildlife.
Impact moling is a precise and efficient method that creates a guided tunnel through the soil for laying utilities. It is extremely useful when accessing limited spaces, as the moling equipment typically consists of a compressed air-driven pneumatic cylinder with relatively small entry and exit pits. For those considering impact mole hire, it is better to use experienced professionals who understand the intricacies of this technology.
Installing or replacing water mains in Amersham’s urban and suburban areas using traditional trenching methods has always been a difficult task. Impact moling, as part of comprehensive moling services, offers several key advantages:
The trenchless nature of impact moling preserves surface infrastructure, particularly crucial in Amersham's historic districts and modern urban areas, maintaining the integrity of roads, pavements, and gardens. This makes it an ideal method for domestic water main replacement and pipe replacement projects, ensuring the minimum disruption of homeowners and businesses.
Impact moling is a game-changer for water pipe repairs and replacing water supply pipes, slashing costs compared to traditional methods. With less labour and minimal reinstatement work needed, it's a faster, more budget-friendly solution that keeps disruption to a minimum. Moling contractors near me can provide competitive pricing for these services, with favourable installation rates compared to traditional methods.
The trenchless installation method of impact moling means quicker installation compared to traditional methods, reducing job timelines and inconvenience to homeowners, residents and businesses. It's especially great for quickly and efficiently replacing water main-to-house connections, with many installations, depending on the pipe length and diameter, being completed within a day.
By avoiding extensive excavation, impact moling helps protect Amersham's local ecosystem and reduces the environmental impact of utility installations. Moling is the environmentally friendly solution among no-dig techniques for underground pipe installations, minimizing soil displacement and greatly reducing the carbon footprint of projects.
Impact moling can be used for various underground utility installation projects, including water pipe installation, electrical cable installation, and fibre optic installation. The process begins with excavating small entry and exit pits at the start and end points of the desired pipe route. The moling equipment is then inserted into the entry pit and guided through the soil using horizontal digging techniques for borehole creation.
This method is particularly useful for residential water pipe installations, typically ranging from 750mm to 1350mm below ground level. The pipe diameter that can be installed using moling techniques varies, but it’s generally suitable for smaller to medium-sized pipes. Most domestic water mains will have an 25mm or 32mm MDPE pipe installed. We can install larger pipes – please contact us for details.
If you’re dealing with old lead pipes and low water pressure, a main water pipe replacement is normally the best the solution. Using a moling machine, we can install new pipes without digging up your entire garden or driveway. This method is perfect for upgrading older smaller, iron and lead pipe sizes to modern, safer materials.
Impact moling is not only useful for new installations but also for addressing existing water supply problems. It can be used in conjunction with leak detection and pipe tracing technologies to find and fix issues such as poor water pressure or water leakage. In the case of repairing leaking pipes, on longer pipe runs, after the leak has been traced, it is sometimes better to bypass the leak with moling, thus ensuring minimal excavation and disruption to the surrounding area. This approach can lead to significant improvement in water quality and water flow.
When it comes to water pipe replacement, various materials have been used in Amersham, including iron, black alkathene plastic and lead pipes. All of this older infrastructure is being phased out due to age of the pipes or health concerns and is being replaced with modern blue MDPE plastic pipes. Blue MDPE pipes offer durability and flexibility, making them ideal for use with impact moling techniques.
There are two main types of Trenchless Technology – Impact moling or Directional Drilling. So when it comes to installing or replacing underground pipes without digging up your driveway, garden, or car park – which is best for your property or business premises?
Impact moling is ideal for smaller-scale jobs like domestic mains water pipe replacement, electrical cable and fibre-optic cable installations, especially under lawns, driveways, or pathways and can normally be completed within a day. For long runs of over 30m Horizontal Directional Drilling is the better option especially for larger-scale projects, commercial sites and more complex installations.
Impact moling has revolutionised utility installations in Amersham, delivering exceptional efficiency while keeping the cost competitive. The town’s historical significance and varied soil conditions make moling an ideal choice for infrastructure upgrades. From domestic water main repairs and replacements to electric cable and fibre optic installations, the minimal disruption and reasonable price of impact moling make it the go-to of Amersham’s underground development, preserving the city’s character while facilitating modern infrastructure advancement.
As a water company approved contractor, EPS’s impact moling technology is increasingly being adopted for new underground pipe installation and common supply work throughout the region. This innovative approach to watermains replacement not only addresses immediate water supply problems but also provides a long-term, cost-effective solution for maintaining and upgrading Amersham’s vital water supply pipe infrastructure.
For those seeking “moling contractors near me,” it’s important to choose experienced professionals who understand the intricacies of this technology and can ensure proper utility ducting and trenchless installation techniques are employed. With the right expertise, impact moling can significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of underground utility work in Buckinghamshire and beyond.
Case Study: In Amersham, a customer was experiencing poor water flow and frequent pressure drops due to a failing lead supply pipe. The property boasted a large landscaped garden with mature trees and shrubs, and a newly installed York stone driveway that the owners were eager to protect. With Amersham’s well-known Chiltern Hills chalk bedrock with clay overlay, traditional excavation posed a risk of both surface damage and complications beneath.
We used impact moling to install a new 32mm MDPE mains pipe beneath the driveway, garden, and root zones without any surface disturbance. The job was completed quickly and cleanly, leaving the property untouched while delivering a significant boost in water pressure—perfect for their new power shower and energy-efficient boiler. The homeowners were relieved that their garden and expensive hardscaping remained completely intact.
Amersham’s Old Town is steeped in history, with over 150 Listed Buildings and the elegant 17th-century Market Hall offering glimpses into its past. The nearby medieval St Mary’s Church (c.1140) features fine stonework and historic memorials. The Amersham Museum, housed in a 15th-century merchant’s hall, chronicles life from medieval times to the present. On the hillside stands High & Over, a striking Art Deco residence and filming location, showcasing early 20th-century architectural ambition.
Amersham originated in Anglo‑Saxon times, its name thought to derive from Aelmær’s hām—“Aelmær’s homestead”—and first recorded in the Domesday Book as Elmodesham. By the early 13th century, it had secured a market charter, cementing its role as a thriving medieval market centre. Brewing, tanning, lace production and brickmaking were key industries in later centuries. The coming of the Metropolitan Railway in 1892 sparked expansion into Amersham‑on‑the‑Hill. During WWII a radiochemical centre began scientific work that evolved into GE Healthcare, marking the town’s shift from traditional crafts to high-tech industry. Today, Amersham balances its medieval and Victorian heritage with a modern innovation-driven economy.
Amersham sits in a chalk valley within the Chiltern Hills, bordered by clay‑with‑flints and Lambeth Group deposits on plateau edges. The local soils—fine, moderately acidic sandy loams with shrink‑swell characteristics—can become seasonally waterlogged and cause surface subsidence. Traditional trenching in these conditions often causes disruption and ground instability. In contrast, trenchless techniques like moling and directional drilling offer precise and minimally invasive solutions, preserving both surface and subsurface integrity.
Eps Trenchless Installations specialises in such installations tailored to Amersham’s precise geological profile.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, wastewater services, and pipe replacement in Amersham, the following resources may be helpful.
Amersham’s water supply is managed by Affinity Water, whilst wastewater services are managed by Thames Water.
Skip to content
