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supply pipes and mean it’s time for water supply pipe replacement – especially if your system still uses lead or other outdated materials.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 Newbury. 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 Newbury 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 Newbury 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 Newbury’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 Newbury'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 Newbury'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 Newbury, 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.
Impact moling has revolutionised utility installations in Newbury, 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 Newbury’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 Newbury’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 Berkshire and beyond.
Case Study: An elderly couple in Newbury had lived with low water pressure for years, assuming it was just normal for their area. After a routine service call identified a corroded steel supply pipe, they opted for a replacement before installing a walk-in shower. Their home featured a sloped lawn and concrete path that they didn’t want disturbed. We replaced the pipe using trenchless moling, navigating Newbury’s sandy soils and chalk layers with ease. The new 25mm MDPE supply now delivers excellent pressure to every tap in the house, and the work was done so cleanly that the couple said, “you’d never know anything had been done.”
Newbury offers a compelling mix of cultural landmarks and natural beauty. Highclere Castle, the real-life setting of Downton Abbey, lies just outside the town and draws visitors from around the world. Within the town itself, the Watermill Theatre, nestled by the River Lambourn, is renowned for its intimate productions. The central Victoria Park provides green space, play areas, and a boating lake, while the canal towpaths offer scenic walking and cycling routes. Newbury Racecourse also brings energy to the town with year-round events, combining rural charm with a modern, vibrant identity.
Newbury is a town steeped in history, with roots dating back to Saxon times and a name that likely means “new fort” or “new borough.” It flourished in the medieval era as a centre for the wool trade, gaining wealth and influence throughout the Tudor period. The town was a site of national importance during the English Civil War, playing host to two pivotal battles that left a lasting mark on its landscape and character. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the railway boosted Newbury’s connectivity and helped transform it into a market and administrative hub. Today, Newbury blends its historic charm with a strong economic presence, particularly in the technology and equestrian industries.
Situated within the Kennet Valley, Newbury enjoys a landscape shaped by chalk downlands and alluvial plains. These geological conditions produce well-draining soils in elevated areas and softer, moisture-retentive soils along the riverbanks. While generally suitable for construction, these varying conditions present challenges for traditional trenching, particularly where preserving tree roots, riverbanks, and landscaped properties is a priority.
Trenchless methods such as moling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) are especially effective in this environment, offering precise, low-impact installations. Eps Trenchless Installations is well-equipped to handle these conditions, providing efficient underground utility solutions that avoid disturbing Newbury’s historical and ecological fabric.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, wastewater services, and pipe replacement in Newbury, the following resources may be helpful.
Newbury’s water supply and wastewater services are managed by Thames Water.
EPS Trenchless Installations – – Specialists in moling and horizontal directional drilling for water mains replacement.