Overview of Different Types of Underground Boring Drilling
Using trenchless methods for creating bores is often seen as superior to traditional methods. Contractors can use it on residential or commercial properties as well as in cities and smaller communities. By reading through this overview of different types of underground boring drilling, you can decide whether directional or auger boring would work best. Of course, both methods of underground drilling work best in different situations, but with this guide, you’ll expand your understanding of underground drilling and the main types.
What Is Underground Boring Drilling?
You may be wondering what underground boring drilling is. This type of drilling allows for the underground installation of conduits or pipelines without damaging the earth’s surface. And because of this, it’s ideal for residents and companies in need of pipeline repairs. In addition, since it won’t disrupt the earth’s surface, individuals don’t have to worry about landscaping getting destroyed during the drilling process.
Typically, underground drilling occurs in the following steps:
- First, experts drill a hole in the ground in the direction the pipeline will run.
- The hole, or bore, is then enlarged so the pipeline can fit inside of it.
- Finally, workers put the pipeline inside to create the underground pipe.
Industry experts can use this type of trenchless drilling to place pipelines beneath existing structures, roads, or rivers without destroying what’s already there.
What Are the Benefits?
By using this type of drilling, boring underground contractors can install pipelines without disturbing what’s on the surface. Traditional drilling methods could lead to road blockades or temporary moves for workers in commercial buildings since experts would be creating a trench. But with underground drilling, you avoid all of this. Other benefits include:
- It’s more environmentally friendly. By drilling, there’s less soil disturbance.
- It’s safer. When drilling occurs by bodies of water, there’s reduced water contamination.
- It’s more efficient. The work schedule isn’t affected by uncontrollable forces like the weather.
Drilling underground may be the best option for repairing home sewer lines since homeowners won’t have to worry about landscaping bills as they also get their sewer line repaired. If you’re looking for a company that’s an expert in directional drilling water line installation and repair, then contact Complete Trenchless! Not only are we industry experts, but we’ll also repair the line without digging up your yard or driveway.
Another reason trenchless drilling is beneficial is that sometimes traditional drilling methods simply don’t make sense given the situation. For example, when contractors need to complete a job in a city, traditional methods that require digging a trench just aren’t effective. So, trenchless drilling can be used instead!
What Are the Common Types?
As far as underground drilling goes, there are a few different methods the contractor may use depending on the job ahead of them. Two of the most common types include directional drilling, directional drilling with an air hammer, and auger boring.
What Is Directional Drilling?
Also referred to as horizontal directional drilling, this type of boring is low in cost and typically results in quick completion times. Usually, experts use directional drilling in complicated environmental areas such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, and mountains. During this type of trenchless drilling, workers drill with the help of fluids. This method is often ideal when contractors need to drill a long distance that requires underground steering.
Directional Drilling With an Air Hammer
Experts may also use an air hammer or other specialized machinery, but this is mostly used for cutting through rock. The most common method of drilling is auger boring.
What Is Auger Boring?
Auger boring is among the oldest of all trenchless drilling types and is more precise than directional drilling. One of the many benefits of using this method is that workers can use it in different environmental conditions.
Experts use this type of jack and bore drilling to install steel pipe, and it often requires the use of an auger or drill. The auger goes inside the steel pipe. Once workers jack a hole in the ground, an auger helps to remove access soil. Also, because a steel pipe is being used, there’s less risk of the hole collapsing during the process.
When Is It Used?
So, when is auger boring used? Often, it’s best when the work crew is in an area where they have to dig below train tracks or other existing infostructure. For this reason, it’s often the go-to trenchless method when crews need to work on or create sewers or water lines because the bore’s angle is easier to control.
How Do Experts Begin?
Before industry experts can start underground boring drilling, they have a process they must go through to ensure they do the job correctly. They also need to decide whether they’re doing horizontal drilling or auger boring.
First, the crew needs to understand the area they’ll drill in to select the suitable method and tools for the job. This also prevents the risk of mishaps. For example, if there are existing utilities, they may need to change their underground route. After surveying the site, the team will create a plan for getting the job done.
Once drilling begins, the drill operator will dig out the underground hole and may need to steer to avoid any underground obstacles. During directional drilling, experts pump bore mud through this hole to keep it open. However, a mud mixture doesn’t have to be pumped through during auger boring since the metal piping helps keep the hole open during this process.
This overview of different types of underground boring drilling helps you understand the work you can expect to see if you need your sewer or water lines repaired. There’s less environmental damage, and when you don’t need to dig out a large trench, you avoid destroying landscaping.
It’s understandably stressful when a burst pipe goes wrong at home. But by understanding how workers get the job done, you can know what to expect. For example, if you need a repair at home and are located in Washington, contact Completely Trenchless.
At Completely Trenchless, we’re dedicated to ensuring high-quality work as we repair your residential pipeline. Before getting started we’ll use an underground camera to see where the break is so we do the best possible job while repairing your line, so we can tell you exactly what the job entails. Get your pipelines repaired by a company you know you can count on, and who won’t damage your landscaping!
