How Does Moling Work?

Moling is a trenchless method of laying pipes and ducts. A pneumatically driven machine forces its way through the soil along the desired path of the pipe and displaces the soil, forming a cavity into which the new service will be installed. Moling eliminates the need for trenching.

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

A launch and reception pit will be dug at either side of the route spanning approximately 8-10 metres, or where there may be a change in direction. The pit will need to be large enough to fit the mole inside it. The sight stick will be placed to optimally position the mole, and the tool will then bore from the launch pit, to the excavation pit. This bore then allows a pipe to be installed within the displaced ground.

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. 

It only takes two small pits, one for entry and one for exit. The design keeps the area safe from real damage and disruption.

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.

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.