Trenchless pipe replacement is often a very cost effective method of installing a new pipe or cable. Our frequently used tool is a soil displacement hammer, commonly referred to as a mole. Simply put, using a soil displacement hammer is when underground pipes/cables are installed without digging long and costly trenches.
On site two excavations are excavated. The hammer is positioned in excavation 1 and aimed by means of telescopic sight at the centre of excavation 2. Driven by compressed air, the hammer makes its way underground creating a tunnel until it exits at excavation 2. While at excavation 2, the new pipe or cable is then connected to the hammer which is then reversed, thus, pulling the new pipe or cable back to excavation 1.
The diagram below clearly shows the method:
Using this technique achieves many advantages:
- Surfaces worth conserving are neither broken up nor damaged
- It can be driven under garden walls, driveways and similar.
- Hugely reduces costs
- Reduces enviromental impact
- Reduces disruption