If you’re experiencing low water pressure, unexpectedly high-water bills, discoloured water, or unusual tastes, it may point to a leak or deteriorating supply pipes—often a sign that it’s time for a water supply pipe replacement, especially if your system still contains lead or other outdated materials. These issues are common for homeowners and small businesses across Barking and Dagenham and the rest of the London, prompting many to search for solutions like water line repair or to consider lead pipe replacement for a more permanent fix.
Watermains replacement in Barking and Dagenham has changed in recent years, thanks to the development of modern moling and drilling machines. In a city where space is limited and streets and roads are constantly busy, traditional excavation methods are often too disruptive, slow, and impractical. Replacing or installing water mains in such a densely built and historic city requires a faster, less-disruptive, and more efficient solution.
EPS Trenchless Installations specialise in modern no-dig trenchless technology, designed to reduce surface disruption while delivering faster, long-lasting results. By using advanced moling and directional drilling techniques, we provide cleaner, more cost-effective utility installations, particularly suited to busy urban environments.
As a trusted water company approved contractor, EPS Trenchless Installations delivers water infrastructure repair and replacement for both domestic homeowners and small businesses in Barking and Dagenham and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re upgrading ageing pipework or planning a new watermains connection, our moling and horizontal directional drilling technology offers reliable, professional services guaranteed to do the job.
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 across Barking and Dagenham’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 Barking and Dagenham older 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 Barking and Dagenham'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 Barking and Dagenham, 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 installs.
The homeowner in Barking had experienced multiple water leaks due to old lead pipes that ran beneath their beautifully maintained front lawn. With clay-heavy soil common in the area, traditional trenching would have caused extensive damage to the property, including a paved driveway and several mature trees. Instead, we opted for impact moling, a trenchless technique that minimized surface disturbance. By creating a narrow underground pathway, we replaced 25 meters of outdated piping with new MDPE pipes, ensuring better water pressure and long-term reliability. The family was particularly pleased that their landscaping remained intact, and their newly installed boiler now operated efficiently without water supply issues.
Impact moling has revolutionised utility installations in Barking and Dagenham and London, delivering exceptional efficiency while keeping the cost competitive. The borough’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 Barking and Dagenham’s underground development, preserving the area’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 Barking and Dagenham’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 Barking and Dagenham and beyond.
Barking and Dagenham, located in East London, has a rich history dating back to the medieval period. Originally a rural area known for farming and fishing along the River Thames, it developed rapidly during the industrial revolution with the rise of shipbuilding and engineering industries. In the 20th century, the borough became a key hub for housing, particularly with the development of the Becontree Estate—one of the largest public housing estates in the UK. Today, Barking and Dagenham is undergoing significant regeneration, with new residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects shaping its future.
The geography of Barking and Dagenham is characterised by relatively flat terrain with a mix of clay, sand, and gravel soils, influenced by its proximity to the Thames. These soil conditions can present challenges for traditional open-cut excavation methods due to the risk of ground instability and water ingress.
Eps Trenchless Installations uses Trenchless Technology such as moling and directional drilling, which offer significant advantages in these conditions. These methods reduce surface disruption, minimise the need for extensive excavation in congested urban areas, and provide a more efficient solution for installing or replacing underground utilities such as water mains. By avoiding the need for large-scale digging, trenchless techniques help preserve roadways, footpaths, and green spaces, making them ideal for the borough’s ongoing infrastructure improvements.
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