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supply pipes and mean it’s time for water supply pipe replacement – especially if your system still uses lead or other outdated materials.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 St Ives. 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 St Ives 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 St Ives 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 St Ives’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 St Ives'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 St Ives'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 St Ives, 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 St Ives, 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 St Ives’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 St Ives’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 Cambridgeshire and beyond.
Case Study: A modern townhouse in St Ives was fitted with a high-performance shower and water softener but couldn’t get the desired water pressure due to a narrow, old service pipe. The front garden had just been replanted and featured decorative fencing and new turf, making excavation a last resort.
We used impact moling to replace the old supply with a 32mm MDPE main, working underneath the turf and path with no damage. The soil in St Ives, a mix of silty loam and river terrace gravels, made conditions ideal for a clean mole run. The installation took just a day and left no visual trace—while delivering the water pressure they needed for modern appliances.
Using impact moling, we upgraded the service to a 32mm MDPE supply, carefully avoiding the established hedging and tree line along the property boundary. The moling method also meant there was no need to disturb the gravel driveway, which had been laid just six months prior. The homeowner now benefits from excellent pressure and a future-ready system, without any visible signs that the work was ever done.
St Ives boasts a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks. The 15th-century St Ives Bridge, featuring a rare chapel at its centre, is a testament to the town’s medieval significance. The Norris Museum offers insights into the area’s rich history, with exhibits ranging from Roman artefacts to displays about the town’s famous son, Oliver Cromwell. The St Ives Corn Exchange serves as a hub for community events and markets, reflecting the town’s vibrant community life.
Originally known as Slepe, St Ives transformed from a modest settlement into a bustling market town following the discovery of St Ivo’s remains in the 11th century. This event spurred the establishment of a priory and attracted pilgrims, boosting the local economy. Over time, St Ives became a vital inland port, with its prosperity reflected in the town’s historic buildings and vibrant community life.
Located along the River Great Ouse, St Ives features a mix of alluvial soils and gravel, which can complicate traditional excavation due to potential flooding and soil instability. Trenchless methods like moling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) provide effective solutions by reducing surface disruption and preserving the town’s historic charm.
Eps Trenchless Installations offers specialised services to address these challenges, ensuring efficient utility installations.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, wastewater services, and pipe replacement in St Ives, the following resources may be helpful.
St Ives’s water supply and wastewater services are managed by Anglian Water.
EPS Trenchless Installations – Specialists in moling and horizontal directional drilling for replacement and new water main installation.
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