FAQ

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What You Need to Know

Use this list of questions to evaluate the needs and requirements of your directional drilling project.

What size drill rig will I need for the job?

We determine which of our rigs is best suited for the job by assessing the soil conditions, pipe size, and space available.

What type and size pipe will I need?

We can install pipes made of HDPE, steel, ductile iron, or PVC ranging in diameter from 1 to 30 inches. The size of pipe you require depends on whether you are laying water, cable, fiber optic, or other lines. The size of pipe also determines the rig that will be used for the job.

How much space will I need for entry and exit pits?

The entry pit is the starting point for the bore, and the exit point is the end of the bore. For an entry pit, a space generally between 3 and 40 feet is required, depending on the bend radius and bore path At both the entry and exit pits, there will be some disruption of the surface and the emergence of drilling mud and underground material. How much room is needed to accommodate the pits is determined on job by job basis, which we can help calculate.

Do I need to have the location inspected by Dig Safe?

Yes. Every job must be inspected by Dig Safe. This is a simple process that we can assist you with.

What kind infrastructure or water bodies will I be boring under?

We have successfully bored under rivers, highways, and airport runways. Our only requirement is that we can track the drill head. When boring under water bodies and areas to dangerous or difficult to navigate by foot, we use boats or wire line technology to locate the head. Safety is our top concern, and we assess what controls we need for safety before setting up on any job site.

What time of year will I be boring?

We can bore in most weather conditions, including snow. Freezing tempertures may prohibit drilling.

How do I know your company is qualified to do the job?

Henniker Directional Drilling is a member of the Northeast Trenchless Association, an organization founded to promote safety and good drilling practices within our industry. Feel free to check our references to learn more about how we work with our customers.

What kind of on-site disposal will I need?

During the drilling process, we use a mud called bentonite. It is a naturally occurring substance produced by the alteration of volcanic ash. On small jobs, we can remove the bentonite mud used during drilling. For larger jobs where the quantities of bentonite and drillings are large, take on-site disposal into consideration.

Why should I choose directional drilling over open cutting?

HDD equipment requires a relatively short set-up time; a mini rig can be set up and start boring within an hour. Labor requirements are minimal, as it only takes a small crew to operate a small drilling rig. The need for traditional excavation during horizontal directional drilling is minimal or non-existent.

In open areas, directional drilling is an efficient was to cross rivers, highways, railroad tracks, even active airplane runways, without major disruptions to traffic or costs for traffic management. In crowded urban areas, horizontal directional drilling is increasingly viewed as "the preferred technology" because:

  • Surface disruption is minimized
  • Restoration costs (roads, infrastructure) are minimized
  • Minimizes the need for earth removal and the long-term costs of trench settlement
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For more information about us and our services, contact our team at Henniker Directional Drilling today. We look forward to working with you and showing you how beneficial HDD can be.