What is Impact Moling?
Impact Moling is a type of underground horizontal boring and one one of the most common “no dig”, “trenchless” solutions for running pipes or cables.
Using an Impact Mole (also known as a soil displacement hammer), we can tunnel under driveways, paths, and other finished surfaces without disturbance.
By avoiding the need for reinstatement, impact Moling is not only less disruptive, but also faster and cheaper than open trenching methods. It’s also a preferred method of running services within the Root Protection Areas of Trees.
How does Impact Moling work?
Impact Moling is a method of underground boring that works in straight lines between two dug-out pits. The pits have to be at least 80cm long and 40cm wide. The depth of the pit is determined by how deep the service is to be run (typically at least 50cm deep).
The impact mole is aligned as it is launched from the first pit, to ensure it emerges in the second pit. The mole can’t be steered once it is underground, though it can (in most cases) be reversed if it encounters difficulty.
Impact Moles come in various sizes, though in most instances we use smaller moles of 45-55mm width, with a conduit/pipe pulled through the tunnel once the mole has been removed.
Larger moles (65mm+) are able to pull pipe through the tunnel as they mole, though we will often still opt to pull pipe separately after the mole has created the tunnel.