Directional drilling is a trenchless way to install new pipes and cables without digging long open trenches. CW Pipewise uses compact, fluid assisted mini directional drilling to steer new services precisely underground, keeping disruption at the surface to an absolute minimum.
Whether you need a new utility connection, a renewal of an existing line or a short crossing beneath an obstacle, our horizontal directional drilling service delivers a clean, controlled installation with far less mess and downtime than conventional excavation.
Directional drilling (often called HDD – horizontal directional drilling) is a method of installing pipes and ducts along a pre-planned underground route. A small launch pit is excavated, a guided pilot bore is drilled along the required path, and then the new pipe is pulled back into place through that bore.
Modern mini horizontal directional drilling machines are specifically designed for house connections and small diameter utility lines – gas, water, power, fibre broadband and sewage pressure mains – even where the bore has to curve, change depth or thread its way through congested existing services.
CW Pipewise operate a compact, steerable mini horizontal directional drilling rig that is ideal for working in tight, built-up locations and sensitive areas. The technology we use is designed for:
Trenchless house connections for gas, water, power, fibre optics (FTTH) and sewage pressure lines
Parallel bores running alongside roads, footpaths or waterways
Short under-crossings beneath streets, driveways, gardens, rail embankments or small watercourses
We’ve recently invested in the Tracto Pit Launcher P60, a compact horizontal directional drilling system designed for precision installations where traditional excavation simply isn’t practical.
Manufactured by Tracto, this advanced trenchless drilling solution allows us to install pipes and ducts without digging trenches, keeping surfaces intact and disruption to an absolute minimum.
Whether it’s a residential driveway, a private road, a commercial site, or sensitive ground conditions, the Pit Launcher P60 gives us the flexibility to get the job done cleanly, efficiently, and accurately.
What Makes the Pit Launcher P60 Different?
Compact & powerful – ideal for tight access areas and restricted sites
Drilling distances of 100m+ depending on ground conditions
Pipe installation up to 210mm diameter
Launches from a small pit, keeping surface disturbance to a minimum
High accuracy steering for controlled, precise installations
Suitable for multiple ground types
CW Pipewise horizontal directional drilling is ideal for:
New domestic or commercial utility connections
Replacing or upsizing existing small diameter services
Installing services beneath roads without full road closure
Crossing under driveways, patios, landscaped gardens and trees
Running services along footpaths or verges where trenching would be disruptive
Installing lines in difficult ground, on slopes or in areas with existing buried networks
Depending on ground conditions, the technology can handle short to medium length bores for service lines, including longitudinal runs up to around 100 m for suitable pipe sizes.
This system is particularly effective where excavation would be costly, disruptive, or simply not possible.
Ideal for Trenchless Installations Under:
Driveways and patios
Private roads and access tracks
Footpaths and landscaped areas
Streams and watercourses
Existing buildings and extensions
Walls, fences, and hardstanding
Commercial and industrial sites
Homeowners looking to install or replace water pipes, ducts, or services without ripping up driveways, gardens, or patios.
Businesses needing low-impact service installations where downtime, access restrictions, or surface damage must be avoided.
Groundworkers, utility contractors, and developers requiring a reliable trenchless drilling partner for service crossings, restricted access areas, or specialist installations.
We assess the route, existing buried services and surface constraints, then design the bore path and choose the most suitable rig set-up.
Small pits are excavated at the start and finish points (or to an intermediate pit if required). These are carefully positioned to minimise impact and allow safe rig operation.
The mini HDD rig drills a steerable pilot bore along the planned route. A locating system monitors the drill head position and depth, so the operator can continuously adjust to follow the design line and avoid existing utilities.
For larger pipes, reamers are pulled through the pilot bore to open it up to the right diameter, using drilling fluid to carry spoil away and stabilise the hole.
The new pipe, duct or cable protection is attached to the drill string and pulled smoothly back through the bore into its final position.
Once installed, the new service is connected, tested and commissioned. The launch and reception pits are reinstated to a high standard, leaving the surface neat and tidy.
Fill out the form below for a free quote on our expert services and one of our team will get back to you promptly with all the details.
0208 087 1030
