Low pressure, discoloured water, unusual tastes, or unexpectedly high-water bills from leaks 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 in Reading and across Berkshire. If you’re experiencing these issues, you might be searching for “water line repair” or considering lead pipe replacement options.
Watermains replacement in Reading has seen major changes in recent years, driven by the introduction of modern moling and drilling machines. In a town where space is tight and streets are always in use, traditional excavation methods have become less practical. Installing or replacing water mains in such a densely populated and historic environment demands smarter, cleaner, and more efficient approaches.
That’s where EPS Trenchless Installations comes in. We specialise in modern “no-dig” trenchless technology that minimises surface disruption while delivering faster, long-lasting results. By using advanced moling and directional drilling, we ensure cheaper, neater, and more effective utility installations, particularly in built-up urban areas. As a trusted water company approved contractor, EPS Trenchless Installations provides expert water infrastructure repair and replacement services for both domestic homeowners and small businesses in Reading and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re replacing ageing pipes or planning a new watermain connection, EPS delivers dependable solutions using industry-leading techniques 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 Reading’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 Reading’s 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 Reading'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 Reading, 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 Reading and across Berkshire, 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 Reading’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 Reading’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 Reading and beyond.
Case Study: A semi-detached home in Reading had long-standing issues with inconsistent water flow due to an aging lead pipe. With a recently resurfaced tarmac driveway and multiple shrubs lining the garden, the owners were keen to avoid excavation. Reading’s gravel-rich soil, mixed with chalk layers, can cause trench collapses during open-dig methods—something the homeowners definitely wanted to avoid. Using impact moling, we installed a new 32mm MDPE pipe directly under the surface, keeping the entire driveway and planting beds intact. The result was dramatically improved pressure, supporting a new multi-outlet combi boiler and making everyday water use far more efficient. The job was completed in just one day with zero reinstatement required.
Reading’s cultural offerings are diverse and rooted in its long history. The Abbey Ruins provide a dramatic backdrop in the town centre, while the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) offers fascinating insights into agricultural heritage. Reading also thrives as a shopping and leisure destination, with the Oracle Shopping Centre serving as a riverside hub for retail and dining. Every August, the town hosts the internationally famous Reading Festival, welcoming tens of thousands of music lovers and solidifying its place as a cultural hotspot.
Reading’s prominence as a settlement has been shaped by its strategic location at the junction of the River Thames and River Kennet. Dating back to Saxon times, it rose to importance with the founding of Reading Abbey in 1121 by King Henry I, which became one of the most influential religious sites in England. Over the centuries, Reading expanded as a centre for trade, especially during the Victorian period when industries such as brewing, seed production, and biscuit manufacturing flourished—thanks in part to the Great Western Railway. In the modern era, Reading has transformed into a key commercial and tech hub within the Thames Valley, drawing in global businesses and a growing residential population.
The town spans a range of geological features, from alluvial deposits and floodplains near the riverbanks to dense clay and gravel beds in the surrounding suburban areas. These mixed soil types create challenges for excavation, especially where ground movement, high groundwater, or dense urban infrastructure exist. Trenchless installation techniques, including moling and HDD, are ideal for navigating these complications. They allow underground utilities to be installed with minimal surface disturbance—especially important in heritage-rich districts and busy urban centres.
Eps Trenchless Installations provides these non-invasive solutions across Reading, ensuring efficient and cost-effective installations for both public and private clients.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, wastewater services, and pipe replacement in Reading, the following resources may be helpful.
Reading’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.
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