How to Replace an Underground Line Without Digging

Check with your local or state Department of Transportation for their requirements on directional boring. Follow all safety rules. Move the directional bore machine into the starting location. It should be pointed toward the end location.

Start the directional bore machine, then point the drill at the ground. Start the drill, then start the drilling solution by turning on the fluid pump. The drilling solution is a mixture of bentonite clay and water. This fluid is pumped down to the drill head to help increase drilling performance. This fluid also creates a muddy pathway to pull the new cable back through.

Begin drilling into the ground using the depth meter to track the location of the drill head. The controls on the directional bore machine control where the drill head will go. Continue drilling until the drill head begins to reach the end location. As the drill approaches the end location, begin angling the drill head up for its return to the surface. Once the drill head penetrates the surface, stop the drill.

Attach the end of the new cable to the end of the drill head. Begin pulling the drill head and the new cable back to the directonal bore machine and the start location. Once the cable is pulled back, shut off power in the old cable and begin the process of unsplicing the new cable and splicing up the new cable. The best method is to work on this a wire or group at a time to avoid mistakes. Once the cables are switched out, the old cable can be abandoned in the ground and the new cable can be put in service by turning the power back on.