Low pressure, discoloured water, unusual tastes, or unexpectedly high-water bills from leaks you did not know you had mean it’s time for water supply pipe replacement – especially if they’re made from lead or other ageing materials. These water supply problems are common issues faced by homeowners and businesses across Hampshire, including areas like Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, and Andover. If you’re experiencing these issues, you might be searching for “water line repair” or considering lead pipe replacement options.
The replacement of old or leaking domestic water mains pipe in Hampshire has undergone a revolutionary change in recent years, thanks to advancements in modern moling and directional drilling technology. Water mains are a vital component of the county’s infrastructure, and replacing or installing them in such a densely packed urban environment requires innovative techniques. Trenchless water line replacement has become the go-to solution across the county.
Trenching, the traditional slow and disruptive way of replacing and laying water mains, is, in most situations, being replaced by trenchless techniques. EPS Trenchless Installations has been at the forefront of revolutionising utility installations, using no-dig technology such as moling, and directional drilling to minimise disruption and enhance efficiency.
As water company approved contractors, EPS Trenchless Installations is a leader in moling and horizontal directional drilling trenchless technology, helping Hampshire and the surrounding areas with its water infrastructure repair and replacement in the most efficient manner possible. For those seeking “moling services near me,” EPS offers expert solutions for various underground utility installation needs, including domestic moling and commercial moling services.
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 Hampshire’s urban, suburban, and rural 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 Hampshire's historic towns, cities 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 Hampshire'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, minimising 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.
One of the most common questions we get is about impact moling cost per metre—this varies depending on ground conditions and pipe size, but it’s often more affordable than traditional trenching. Our mole digger technology ensures minimal disruption, so you can enjoy a hassle-free upgrade with better water flow.
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 Hampshire, including iron, black alkathene plastic, and lead pipes of different sizes. All this older infrastructure is being phased out due to the age of the pipes or health concerns and is being replaced with modern blue MDPE water supply 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.
Impact moling has revolutionised utility installations in Hampshire, delivering exceptional efficiency while keeping the cost competitive. The county’s historical significance and varied soil types make moling an ideal choice for infrastructure upgrades. From water main repairs to electric cable and fibre optic installations, the minimal disruption and reasonable price mean impact moling is the go-to option when upgrading the county’s underground infrastructure while preserving its unique character.
As water company approved contractors, EPS’s impact moling technology is increasingly being adopted for new underground pipe installation and common supply work throughout the region. This approach to water mains replacement not only solves immediate water supply problems but also provides a long-term, cost-effective solution for maintaining and upgrading Hampshire’s vital mains pipe infrastructure.
For those seeking “moling services 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 Hampshire and beyond.
At Eps Trenchless Installations, we specialise in trenchless water mains replacement using impact moling throughout Hampshire, offering homeowners a fast, clean, and reliable way to upgrade their water supply without the mess of traditional trenching. Whether you’re in Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Aldershot, Winchester, Eastleigh, Andover, Fleet, Fareham, Gosport, Petersfield, or the surrounding towns, our experienced team is ready to protect your property while delivering better water flow and quality. Hampshire’s diverse ground conditions—from chalk soils in Winchester to clay and gravels in Eastleigh and Gosport—make traditional excavation messy and disruptive. That’s why so many local residents choose impact moling: it preserves driveways, gardens, and mature landscaping, while quickly installing a new, modern MDPE water mains pipe.
Our trenchless technology is ideal for Hampshire’s varied soil conditions, and we pride ourselves on completing most projects within just one working day. Across Hampshire we’ve helped homeowners enjoy stronger, cleaner water supplies—all with minimal disruption!
By choosing EPS Trenchless Installations, Hampshire residents gain a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and hassle-free solution to water mains replacement, ensuring high-quality and long-lasting infrastructure. Our team of experts conducts thorough feasibility studies before each project, ensuring the most appropriate trenchless technique is used for each unique situation.
Hampshire is home to a wealth of historic landmarks and natural beauty. Visitors can explore Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe with a history spanning over a thousand years. The maritime city of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers a fascinating insight into the Royal Navy’s legacy, including famous ships like HMS Victory. In the north of the county, Highclere Castle, known worldwide as the filming location for Downton Abbey, attracts visitors with its opulent rooms and landscaped gardens. Nature lovers are drawn to The New Forest National Park, where ancient woodlands and heathlands provide scenic walking, cycling, and wildlife experiences, while coastal towns like Lymington offer picturesque marinas and charming high streets.
Hampshire’s origins stretch deep into ancient history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Palaeolithic era. During Roman times, the area was home to important towns like Venta Belgarum (modern-day Winchester). In the Anglo-Saxon period, Hampshire emerged as a powerful centre of the Kingdom of Wessex, playing a pivotal role in the unification of England. The county grew through the medieval and Tudor periods, developing thriving market towns and ports. Today, Hampshire is celebrated for its historic cities, maritime heritage, and stunning countryside.
Hampshire features a diverse landscape of chalk downlands, clay vales, and coastal plains, with soil types ranging from light chalky soils to heavy clays. These conditions can complicate traditional excavation, particularly in protected areas like the South Downs and New Forest. Trenchless installation techniques provide an ideal solution for installing underground utilities while preserving delicate environments and minimising surface disruption.
Eps Trenchless Installations delivers expert trenchless solutions across Hampshire, offering cost-effective and low-impact installations for both rural and urban projects.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, quality, and pipe replacement in Hampshire, the following resources may be helpful.
Hampshire is primarily supplied by Southern Water, though parts of Hampshire are supplied by Portsmouth Water and South East Water. Use the resources below to check your water supplier and water quality.
Hampshire County Council – Local council information on water quality, environmental services, and lead pipe replacement.
EPS Trenchless Installations – Specialists in moling and horizontal directional drilling for water mains replacement.
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