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.