Burrowing underground to lay cables is a big task, it can be difficult and time consuming, so you need to find the easiest way for your project to limit these less than ideal traits of the job. The first thing you need to consider is the type of cabling you’d like to lay and the overall width of the hole that needs to be made. Another consideration is the length the pipework required is required to reach as some methods have limited options for length.
Building a new housing estate? Getting power, water, gas or electricity to an area previously without it? Trenching or horizontal directional drilling (depending on the issue you’re trying to solve) is likely to be the answer to your problems. Trenching and horizontal directional drilling are some of the most versatile ways to lay pipework when you need it to be laid with the great accuracy. It’s much better to keep all cables underground – this keeps them out of sight, making them more protected.
Directional drilling has been a vital part of the construction industry since the early 1900s, in this time the technology has improved drastically but the concept has stayed the same – the ability to drill channels in multiple different directions. It is much cheaper and easier than trenching, leaving less impact on the local area, environment and wildlife. Trenching often leaves permanent scars to the surrounding areas which are far from pleasing to the eye. There is no requirement for any intermediate pits during the process, the only disturbances to surface level ground is the entry and exit holes. Along with this, pipes can be mapped in any direction, straight or curved. The advanced technology within these heavy duty drilling devices detect underground obstacles and dig around them, so the process is continuous and speedier than having to stop for removal of obstacles within the ground. This way of drilling can be more costly than trenching.
Trenching is a great way to lay pipework and underground cabling when it doesn’t need to be too deep into the ground. It is much cheaper than directional drilling, however it scars the landscape and can cause serious disruption when pipework needs to be laid near railways, roads and other vital infrastructure. Trenching has been increasingly used by telecoms providers who wish to bring fibre broadband directly to the homes of consumers, the distance is often short therefore this is a practical solution.
Unless you own a directional driller or some heavy duty trenching equipment, you are going to require professional help to undertake a job requiring any of these underground pipework solutions. Choose the right contractor to help you with the job who will explain all details you will need to understand exactly how the process works and what it will mean for your site.
