The replacement of old or leaking watermains in Staines-upon-Thames has gone through a revolutionary change in recent years with the advent of modern moling and drilling machines. Water mains are a critical part of the town’s infrastructure, but replacing or installing them in such a densely packed urban environment requires innovative techniques.
Trenching, the traditional slow and disruptive way of replacing and laying watermains, is in most situations, being supplanted by trenchless technologies. EPS Trenchless Installations has been at the forefront of revolutionising utility installations, leveraging trenchless technology, moling, and directional drilling to minimise disruption and enhance efficiency.
As a water company approved water contractor EPS Trenchless Installations is a leader in moling and horizontal directional drilling trenchless technology helping Staines-upon-Thames and the surrounding areas with its water infrastructure repair and replacement in the most efficient manner possible.
Impact moling, also known as pipe moling, is a cutting-edge trenchless technology for installing underground utilities, including water pipes, electric cables, and fibre optic lines. It involves using a mole digger, which is a pneumatic burrowing device that creates horizontal boreholes through repetitive percussive action. This innovative approach eliminates the need for extensive trenching, making it particularly cost-effective, with the impact moling cost per metre being significantly lower than traditional methods.
The technique is particularly effective in urban settings, where minimizing disruption to roads, footpaths, landscapes, and other infrastructure is paramount. Impact moling, by creating a guided tunnel through the soil, provides a precise and efficient method for laying utilities. Moling is extremely useful when accessing limited spaces as the equipment typically consists of a compressed air-driven pneumatic cylinder with relatively small entry and exit pits.
Installing or replacing water mains in Staines-upon-Thames’s urban and suburban landscapes has traditionally presented significant challenges. Impact moling, as part of comprehensive moling services, offers several key advantages:
The trenchless nature of impact moling preserves surface infrastructure, particularly crucial in Staines-upon-Thames's historic districts and modern urban areas, maintaining the integrity of roads, pavements, and gardens. This makes it an ideal method for water main replacement and pipe replacement projects, ensuring preservation of property
The cost of impact moling demonstrates significant savings compared to conventional methods due to reduced labour requirements and restoration expenses. This makes it an attractive option for both water pipe repair and water supply pipe replacement projects. Moling contractors near me can provide competitive pricing for these services.
The trenchless installation approach of impact moling allows for quicker installation compared to traditional methods, reducing project timelines and inconvenience to residents and businesses. It's particularly effective for replacing water main to house connections quickly and efficiently, resulting in reduced project times.
By avoiding extensive excavation, impact moling helps protect Staines-upon-Thame'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 greatly decreasing the carbon footprint of projects.
Impact moling can be used for various underground installations, including water pipe replacement, 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 machine is then inserted into the entry pit and guided through the soil using horizontal digging techniques.
This method is particularly useful for residential water pipe installations, typically ranging from 750mm to 1350mm below ground level.
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. Water leakage investigation can be carried out more efficiently with minimal disruption to the surrounding area.
When it comes to water pipe replacement, various materials have been used in Staines-upon-Thames, 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.
A 1930s home in Staines-upon-Thames had a lead water supply affecting both pressure and quality. The property’s block-paved driveway and location near the River Thames floodplain meant traditional excavation would be invasive and complicated by a high-water table.
We used impact moling to replace the lead pipe with a new 25mm MDPE mains supply, keeping the driveway fully intact and completing the work in just six hours. The homeowner now benefits from cleaner, lead-free water and stronger flow, perfect for their new bathroom upgrade.
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Staines-upon-Thames boasts a range of historical and modern attractions. The iconic Staines Bridge has linked communities for centuries and its riverside location. Visitors can enjoy riverside walks at Lammas Recreation Ground or explore the medieval architecture of St Mary’s Church. The Spelthorne Museum is worth a visit to see the original “London Stone”. Just a short drive away, Thorpe Park is one of the UK’s premier theme parks, drawing thrill-seekers from across the country. The town is also immortalised in literature, featuring in Jerome K. Jerome’s classic Three Men in a Boat.
Impact moling has revolutionized utility installations in Staines-upon-Thames, 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 water main repairs to electric cable and fibre optic installations, the minimal disruption and reasonable price of impact moling make it a cornerstone of the town’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 approach to watermains replacement not only addresses immediate water supply problems but also provides a long-term, cost-effective solution for maintaining and upgrading Staines-upon-Thames’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 Staines-upon-Thames and beyond.
Staines-upon-Thames, historically known simply as Staines, is a town in Surrey, England, situated on the River Thames. Its origins trace back to Roman times when it was called ‘Ad Pontes’ (‘at the bridges’), serving as a vital crossing point on the route from Londinium (London) to Calleva (Silchester). The Domesday name of ‘Stanes’ is understood to refer to a ring of 9 stones that is believed to have existed in Staines upon Thames, known as the ‘Ningen Stones’. It is believed that they were once a boundary marker. The town’s strategic location fostered its development as a market centre during the medieval period, and it became renowned for its linoleum manufacturing industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Geographically, Staines-upon-Thames is characterised by its position on the River Thames, with relatively flat terrain and alluvial soils resulting from historical river flooding. These soil conditions can present challenges for traditional open-cut excavation methods during infrastructure projects, such as instability and increased environmental impact. Trenchless installation techniques, including moling and directional drilling, offer significant advantages in such settings. These methods minimise surface disruption, preserve existing landscapes, reduce environmental impact, and often result in faster project completion times. Companies like EPS Trenchless Installations specialise in these techniques, providing efficient solutions for installing underground utilities in areas with challenging soil conditions.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, quality, and pipe replacement in Staines-upon-Thames, the following resources may be helpful.
Staines-upon-Thames is primarily supplied by Affinity Water, but some surrounding areas may also be served by Thames Water. Use the resources below to check your water quality and supplier.
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