Directional Drilling

What is it?

Directional drilling or Horizontal Directional Drilling is a steerable trenchless method of installing underground pipes, conduits and cables in a shallow arc along a prescribed bore path by using a surface launched drilling rig, with minimal impact on the surrounding area.

AWS can bore horizontally with pinpoint accuracy for a distance of 300 feet at a time with our Ditch Witch 921s directional boring unit. This machine is used to get under roads, rivers, buildings, golf course fairways and ponds.  We can install gas lines, electrical conduit, water lines, geothermal pipes, and telecommunication wires easily and with no mess. 

When is it used?

Directional boring is used when trenching or excavating is not practical. It is suitable for a variety of soil conditions and jobs including road, landscape and river crossings. Pipes can be made of materials such as PVC, polyethylene, Ductile Iron, and steel if the pipes can be pulled through the drilled hole. The drilling begins with the set-up of the equipment needed to complete the bore.

Don’t close the road down and rip it up, just drill under it!   Horizontal directional drilling is much more cost effective than open excavation alternatives, and the soil surface is not compromised. Trenchless construction is a proven and recognized system that is environmentally friendly and imposes minimal disruption to the community and surrounding infrastructure.