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How Far Can You Mole Underground

Jun 28, 2022

Moling is a trenchless method of laying pipes and ducts. A pneumatically driven machine (known as a mole) forces its way through the soil along the desired path of the pipe during the moling process. 


The mole displaces the soil, forming a cavity into which the new service will be installed. Moling eliminates the need for trenching and can be used to lay water pipes and heat pump heating coils.


It is considered environmentally friendly and has been seen over time to be the easiest and simplest form of trenchless installations. 


This process does not involve digging a trench to position the pipe sections. It is like driving a torpedo-shaped metal tube through the ground with a hammer to create a tunnel under the surface. 


It is essential to know the ground conditions in order to mole underground - in fact, it is critical to understand the ground conditions to complete an impact moling installation successfully. 


The method uses a compaction principle to create a bore and thus is most appropriate for compressible soils such as clays, silt, peat and generally soft cohesive material. Read on to learn more about impact moling and how far you can mole underground.

How Does Impact Moling Work?

Impact Moling, also known as a piercing tool, is one of the oldest and most basic trenchless technologies. Mole tools are typically divided into two types: those that can be steered and those that cannot. 


Regardless of the mole type you choose, the length of the mole tool helps to aid easy moling. With the mole tool, dig a pit at the launch point.


The depth should be about ten times the size of your tool. Also, oil the mole to ensure easy penetration into the soil. Then, stretch your air hose or steel tube and connect it to the soil. 


The launch should be ready to shoot into the ground. The bore path surrounding area and launch pits should be surveyed with suitable cable and pipe location tooling. All available survey drawings should be checked for buried utility positions.


The launch pits should be excavated to fit the length of the mole and the width of the cradle or operator. However, the bore's diameter and length are restricted. 


You should know that Impact moling typically installs pipes with diameters ranging from ½ inch to 4 inches but can be used for pipes up to 10 inches.


Non-steerable moles can bore up to 25 feet in a single run, but their range can range from 10 to 100 feet. In good soil conditions, steerable systems can bore up to 200 feet.

Benefits of Moling Underground

The impact mole was developed to install small diameter pipes in compressible soils over short distances and is one of the original and simplest trenchless technologies.


When the pre-installation study is done correctly, installing a product pipe with an impact mole is relatively straightforward. 


Impact Moles are available in sizes ranging from 45mm to the new 180mm, and this simple A to B system is ideal for your needs, with a length of up to 20m.


It only takes two small pits, one for entry and one for exit. The design keeps the area safe from real damage and disruption. Also, minimal excavation is required, and various towing heads are available alongside forwarding and backward gear.

 

In other words, underground moling offers a more cost-effective method, time-saving, helps in minimising disturbances, eliminates the cost of road repaving and road cutting, ensures the highest level of construction works and environmental protection, and not a lot of people are needed for the work, and also helps minimise inconvenience, especially to smaller communities. 


Moling also reduces other socially unacceptable issues, such as the noise associated with breakers and excavators working all day to open a trench. It has the least disruption to your and your neighbour's property.


In simple terms, Impact moling is frequently used to install water service pipes to properties from an access chamber or excavation in a highway.


For instance, making road crossing possible without digging a trench across the road. Cables can be installed with or without ducting, though ducting is generally regarded as a safer method of cable installation and protection.


With all the experience and qualifications necessary to carry out all of your essential underground services and groundworks installations, Ardent Utilities is ideally placed to provide the complete solution to all your problems.

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