Construction is all about using the right tools for the job. You can’t use improper techniques for a job because of the environmental and health impacts doing so might have. As such, there are multiple ways of accomplishing most jobs, so construction crews can use the one that best fits their needs. That’s the simple answer to the question, “What is horizontal directional drilling?”
Underground Plumbing
Simply put, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a method of installing underground plumbing for water, sewer, electrical and gas lines, and other underground systems. The system is most useful for installing plumbing that crosses under a surface feature which makes digging ineffective (such as waterways, roads, and buildings.) It provides less traffic disruption, is inexpensive, and goes longer and deeper in a shorter timeline. It also has minimal impact on the environment.
Trenchless Method
The reason this method works so well is because it doesn’t use the typical trench method (where people dig up the ground and lay in plumbing.) The trenchless method uses a long drill that tunnels on an arc. The drill dives below the surface and goes underneath features which would normally block other trench-plumbing methods before popping back up.
Minimal Invasiveness
Horizontal directional drilling requires careful planning. The crew must have knowledge of the ground they’re tunneling through and how to guide the rotating drill head. The drill is set into the ground and drills using a large cutting tool and drilling fluid. The casing material is pulled through the bore behind the drill. The whole process is minimally invasive, time-efficient, and cost-effective.
Fletcher’s Plumbing and Contracting, Inc. is your local, experienced trenchless technology plumbing specialist. State-of-the-art equipment paired with our well-trained technicians provide exceptional service for hard-to-accomplish projects in Northern California. For more information or to schedule an appointment for trenchless sewer pipe relining, contact us at 530-673-2489.