Directional Drilling Installation.

Occasionally sewer or water lines have sections of the pipe that plug up or break. When excavation is not possible, then drilling a new sewer or water service can be a great option. Directionally drilling is also a great solution for a new sewer or water service installation for a home as it avoids trenching and disrupting the soil or any landscaping.

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Process

Direction Drilling is used in circumstances where a large section of the line is being replaced. Most installations using this method have obstructions or surfaces that would be costly to replace (driveways, patio, etc). This method allows us to have two access holes—one at the start and one at the stop, with drill rods pushed into the ground between each pit. The piping is then hooked to the end of the rods and pulled back from one hole to the next and connected, creating a new section of piping without the need to trench in between.

Timeline

Most installations using this method can be completed in 1 day.

When is drilling used?

This method can be a higher investment then Excavation or No-Dig Liners as it requires specialized equipment. Typically, directional drilling is reserved for circumstances where the cost of the drilling is less expensive than the cost of excavation and the restoration required after excavation.

FAQs

  • Waterlines are well suited to being installed via directional drilling. Sewer lines, on the other hand, need specific parameters, since sewers use gravity to move water. The piping needs to be installed with the correct angle. Directional Drills can install piping with the correct angle but they need space in order to get the rods into the ground to the depth and level needed before they can angle down. This is why directional drilling is not suited for every project and why projects that need directional drilling require an onsite visit to verify the specific parameters are met.

  • A directional drill, also known as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) or directional boring, is a trenchless method of installing underground pipes, conduits, or cables in a shallow arc along a prescribed bore path by using a surface-launched drilling rig. This method is used when traditional methods of trenching or excavating are not practical, such as in urban areas or under bodies of water. The process involves drilling a pilot hole along a predetermined path and then enlarging the hole with reaming tools to accommodate the pipes or cables. This technique is widely used in various industries, including construction, telecommunications, and utilities, to install infrastructure without disrupting the surface area.

  • A directional drill works by using a drilling rig equipped with specialized drilling tools to create a horizontal bore underground without the need for a traditional trench. Here's a glimpse into the process:

    • Planning | Engineers plan the drilling path based on the specific project requirements, considering factors like soil conditions, underground obstacles, and the desired depth and alignment of the bore.

    • Pilot Hole | The drilling process begins with the creation of a pilot hole. A rotating drill bit at the end of the drill string is launched from the surface and guided along the predetermined path. This pilot hole serves as a guide for the directional drilling process.

    • Monitoring and Steering | While drilling, the rig operator uses various instruments and technologies to monitor the progress of the drill bit in real-time. These tools include sensors on the drill bit that detect its position and orientation. Based on this information, the operator can adjust the direction and angle of drilling as needed.

    • Reaming | After the pilot hole is drilled, larger cutting tools, called reamers, are used to enlarge the hole to the desired diameter. Reamers are pulled back through the pilot hole, enlarging it as they go.

    • Pullback | Once the hole is large enough to accommodate the pipes, conduits, or cables, the product to be installed is attached to the reamer. The directional drill rig then pulls back the product through the enlarged hole, simultaneously installing it underground.

    • Backfilling | After the product is successfully installed, the borehole is backfilled, leaving minimal disruption on the surface.

    Throughout this process, the drill operator continuously monitors and adjusts the drilling direction and angle to ensure the bore follows the planned path accurately. Advanced technologies like GPS, gyroscopic sensors, and electromagnetic guidance systems are often employed to enhance the accuracy of the directional drilling process.

Done right the first time.

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