Directional Drilling

Directional drilling can be a cost effective alternative to conventional trenching excavations. With our various sized drills, we are capable of installing products ranging from ¼” diameter to 12” diameter. With directional drilling, there is no need to open excavate a trench to install a utility. This especially comes in handy when an underground utility needs to be installed across a road. A directional drill rig can be placed on one side of the road, which then a “pilot hole” is drilled horizontally under the road. Once this is completed, the product (Conduit, Pipe or Cable) is then connected to the drill rod, and pulled back to the drill rig. This is all done with minimal to no disruption of traffic.

Directional Drilling is not limited to road crossings. It can also be very beneficial installing utilities under parking lots, rail roads landscaped areas, sidewalks, areas heavy with trees (required by some municipalities), or just an open field that cannot be disturbed

Diversified Underground: Directional Drilling Experts

Benefits of Directional Drilling

  • The drill bit can be steered, allowing the conduit to be installed either in straight lines or curved lines to avoid any obstacles that may exist
  • Working area is confined to the points of entry and exit, causing less disruption to the work area
  • No disruption to road traffic, rail traffic, and less impact on landscapes
  • Varying lengths and sizes of conduit can be installed
  • Directional drilling can be used to install: Electric, Gas, Communication (phone, Cable TV, Fiber Optics), Water, and Sewer lines.
  • Our trenchless drilling equipment works from the surface with no need for deep excavations
  • Horizontal Directions Drilling is a much quicker process compared to open trenching, and in many cases has lower overall costs, for there is no need for costly restoration to pavement and landscaping.
  • Can be used to install conduit in most ground conditions

Past Projects Include:

  • Installation of Comcast fiber optics and coax cable
  • Qwest copper and conduit installation
  • Water and sewer mains and services throughout Colorado
  • Irrigation sleeves at all major subdivisions throughout the Denver metro area
  • Installation of communications conduits across DIA runways and taxiways
  • Work directly for several cities within Colorado, including City of Denver, City of Aurora, City of Westminster, plus several others
  • Projects at various federal installations — the Denver Federal Center, Buckley Air Force Base, Ft. Carson and the Air Force Academy
  • Upgraded non potable water line at the Denver Zoo
  • Installation of new fiber lines at multiple cell sites around the city for Verizon, and T-Mobile
  • Installation of fiber optic cables under live railways for Burlington Northern Sante Fe

FAQ: Directional Drilling

What is directional drilling?

  • Directional drilling is a trenchless method of installing underground utilities. A drill rig bores a horizontal “pilot hole” through the ground, then the product — conduit, pipe, or cable — is connected to the drill rod and pulled back to the rig. It installs utilities without open-trenching the surface above.

How is directional drilling different from trenching?

  • Conventional trenching requires digging an open excavation along the full length of the run. Directional drilling works from the surface at just the entry and exit points, so there’s no continuous trench. It’s often quicker than open trenching and, in many cases, has lower overall cost because it avoids expensive restoration to pavement and landscaping.

What can directional drilling install under?

  • Roads, parking lots, railroads, sidewalks, landscaped areas, tree-heavy areas (which some municipalities require), and open fields that can’t be disturbed. Road crossings are a common use — a rig sits on one side and bores under the road with minimal to no traffic disruption.

What types of utilities can be installed with directional drilling?

  • Electric, gas, communications (phone, cable TV, fiber optic), water, and sewer lines.

What size products can Diversified Underground install?

  • Using various sized drills, Diversified installs products ranging from ¼-inch diameter up to 12-inch diameter.

Can the drill avoid underground obstacles?

  • Yes. The drill bit can be steered, so the conduit can follow straight lines or curved paths to route around existing obstacles.

Does directional drilling work in different soil conditions?

  • It can be used to install conduit in most ground conditions.

Does directional drilling disrupt traffic or the surrounding area?

  • Disruption is minimal. Because the work area is confined to the entry and exit points, there’s no disruption to road or rail traffic and less impact on landscapes. Road crossings in particular are completed with minimal to no traffic interruption.

What directional drilling projects has Diversified Underground completed?

  • Past work includes Comcast fiber and coax, Qwest copper and conduit, water and sewer mains throughout Colorado, communications conduit under DIA runways and taxiways, fiber under live BNSF railways, and projects for cities including Denver, Aurora, and Westminster, plus federal sites such as the Denver Federal Center, Buckley Air Force Base, Ft. Carson, and the Air Force Academy.

How do I request directional drilling services?

  • Call Diversified Underground at (303) 636-9999 to discuss your project.