The replacement of old or leaking watermains in Woking 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 town’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 Woking 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 Woking’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 Woking'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 Woking'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 Woking, 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 property in Woking had a 50-year-old lead pipe, causing murky water and poor flow to an upstairs bathroom. With a large tree in the front garden, the owners were concerned about damaging the roots or needing to dig up their driveway. Impact moling allowed us to navigate around tree roots and install a new MDPE water main with no disruption to the driveway or landscaping. The improved water pressure now supports their new power shower and modern heating system.
Woking offers a mix of cultural, historical, and modern attractions. The Lightbox is a renowned gallery and museum showcasing contemporary and historic art. Theatre enthusiasts can enjoy West End productions at the New Victoria Theatre. For shopping and dining, Victoria Place Woking is a major retail and leisure destination. Nature lovers can explore Woking Park, a green oasis offering sports facilities and scenic walking trails. Woking marked the Queen’s 60-year reign by designing a new public space in the heart of the town called Jubilee Square. Visitors can enjoy high quality restaurants and outdoor seating, new paving and landscaping in the town centre.
Impact moling has revolutionized utility installations in Woking, 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 Woking’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 Woking’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 Woking and beyond.
Woking is a historic town with origins dating back to Saxon times. The name “Woking” is thought to refer to an Anglo-Saxon individual, who may have been called “Wocc” or “Wocca”. The second part is derived from the Old English -ingas and means “people of” or “family of”. Its growth accelerated in the 19th century with the arrival of the London and South Western Railway, transforming it into a major commuter hub for London. The town is home to Brookwood Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the UK, established in 1854 to serve London’s expanding population. Woking also has a unique literary connection as the setting for H.G. Wells’ famous sci-fi novel The War of the Worlds, with a Martian tripod statue in the town centre celebrating this legacy.
Woking sits on the London Clay Formation, with a mix of sand, gravel, and alluvial deposits, making ground conditions varied and sometimes unstable. These conditions can make traditional excavation costly and disruptive, particularly in residential and urban areas. Trenchless installation techniques, such as moling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD), are ideal for Woking’s soil types, reducing disruption while allowing for the efficient installation of underground utilities.
Eps Trenchless Installations specialises in these methods, ensuring minimal surface disturbance, faster project completion, and environmentally friendly solutions.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, quality, and pipe replacement in Woking, the following resources may be helpful.
Woking is primarily supplied by Affinity Water, but some areas may also be served by Thames Water or SES Water. Use the resources below to check your water quality and supplier.
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