How Does a Pneumatic Mole Work for Water Line Installation?
If you are here, you are curious about trenchless pipe replacement solutions. Perhaps you’ve seen your neighbor’s yard dug up for similar work, leaving a muddy pile of dirt in their front yard afterward. The good news is that there are alternative methods of sewer pipe replacement. That is in the form of a pneumatic piercing tool.
A pneumatic mole, also known as a pneumatic piercing tool or pneumatic missile, is specialized equipment for water line replacement. It's used to create a tunnel or bore underground without requiring extensive excavation.
How does it work? Let’s take a look at how a pneumatic mole works.
How Does a Pneumatic Mole Work?
A pneumatic mole is one of the oldest and simplest forms of trenchless technologies for digging new sewer lines. It is ideal for installing small-diameter pipes over short distances.
When a professional uses a pneumatic mole, a small hole is dug to access the area where the new pipe will be located. Compressed air is pushed to the mole through a supply hose. The air in the hose moves the piston encased in a cylinder (housing).
The piston hits the anvil, a part of the mole’s head, and at the same time, the air pushes the piston backward, which prepares it for the next forward stroke. This repeated action creates a space for new pipes.
What Happens After a Pneumatic Mole Is Used?
After the mole has reached the endpoint, it is pulled back through the exit pit. At this point, the water line cases or piping can be inserted into the tunnel that the mole created. The mole has effectively created a pathway for the waterline without the need for extensive excavation.
What Are the Advantages of Pneumatic Moles?
Pneumatic moles offer several advantages when it comes to installing new sewer lines or water lines, including:
Minimal Surface Disruption
Using a pneumatic mole allows the professional to install the new water line without digging a large hole in your yard. This means minimal disruption of your yard and surrounding areas. Trenches are dangerous and can cause falls and other injuries if proper caution is not adhered to.
Cost Savings
Since a pneumatic mole does not require excavation equipment, the cost of this process is much lower than traditional water line installation. While there may be initial equipment and setup costs, pneumatic moles can lead to overall cost savings. The reduced need for extensive excavation, labor, and restoration work can result in lower project expenses.
Faster Restoration
The proof that your water lines were replaced is erased quickly after the installation is complete. The hole used to access the tunnel and pipe is filled with soil, and the grass is replaced. Over a short period of time, you won’t be able to tell that you had a new water line installed.
Save Money and Time with Advanced Trenchless Solutions
Advanced Trenchless Solutions is committed to making sure your water line installation is smooth and cost-effective. With our special pneumatic equipment, we can offer you a better solution to water line installation.
Check out our process, and give us a call today at 844-513-4106 for a consultation. You can also send us a message on our website.