The replacement of old or leaking watermains in Surrey 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.
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 Surrey 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 Surrey’s urban, suburban and countryside 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 Surrey's historic towns, villages and more 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 the County of Surrey'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 Surrey, 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.
Eps Trenchless Installations was commissioned to replace an aging water mains in a historic village property in Surrey, where the infrastructure constraints and preservation requirements presented unique challenges. The existing pipeline, a 100mm cast iron main installed over a century ago, had become increasingly prone to bursts and leaks, leading to water supply issues for the property owners.
To minimize disruption to neighbouring properties and the surrounding area, moling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) were used instead of traditional open-cut trenching. GPR surveys mapped existing utilities, and a new MDPE water main was installed with minimal impact. This approach ensured zero damage to a nearby listed building, reduced traffic disruption, and allowed the project to be completed within a day, delivering a future-proofed, leak-free water supply.
Impact moling has revolutionized utility installations in counties like Surrey, 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 Surrey’s underground development, preserving the county’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 Surrey’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 Surrey and beyond.
Surrey is one of England’s historic home counties and archaeological finds provide evidence of human occupation dating to Palaeolithic times. Surrey has played a significant role in English history, from the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215 to its development as a key agricultural and market region. During the Industrial Revolution, Surrey saw rapid growth with the expansion of railways, linking it closely to London. Today, it is known for its affluent towns, picturesque countryside, and status as a hub for commerce and innovation while maintaining its strong historical and cultural heritage.
Surrey’s diverse landscape includes rolling chalk hills, heavy clay soils, and gravel-rich floodplains. These varied soil types present challenges for traditional excavation, particularly in areas with high water tables or dense urban infrastructure. Trenchless installation methods, such as moling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD), provide effective solutions for underground utilities, reducing surface disruption and environmental impact. Eps Trenchless Installations specialises in these advanced techniques, ensuring efficient and cost-effective utility installations, particularly in conservation areas and busy urban centres where traditional digging is impractical.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, quality, and pipe replacement in Surrey, the following resources may be helpful.
Surrey is served by multiple water suppliers, including Affinity Water, Thames Water, and SES Water, depending on your exact location. Use the resources below to check your water quality and confirm your supplier.
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