# Water Pipe Moling Nottingham | Trenchless Supply Pipes | Notts Leak Detection > Water pipe moling in Nottingham: a new supply pipe pulled underground by mole, leaving the drive, lawn and path in place. Two small pits. Open 7 days, 9am–7pm. URL: https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-pipe-moling/ 1. [Home](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) 2. Water Pipe Moling # Trenchless Water Pipe Moling in Nottingham [Notts Leak Detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) carries out water pipe moling across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: a new supply pipe is pulled underground between two small pits, so the drive, lawn or path in between stays where it is. Book a moling survey 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) [Request a quote](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/contact/) Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. ![Moling launch pit beside an untouched block-paved drive in Nottingham, with an air hose and new blue water pipe](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/moling-launch-pit-beside-block-paved-drive-nottingham.webp) - Trenchless pipe laying - Two small pits, no trench - New MDPE supply pipe - Laid 750mm–1,350mm deep - Drives and lawns left intact - Pressure-tested before backfill Last updated: 28 September 2026 Water pipe moling is the trenchless way to lay a new supply pipe. A pneumatic mole, a torpedo-shaped tool driven by compressed air, pushes through the ground from one pit to another and pulls the new pipe in behind it. The drive, path, patio or lawn between the two pits isn’t touched. It is the usual choice for [water supply pipe replacement](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-supply-pipe-replacement/) and [lead pipe replacement](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/lead-pipe-replacement/) where the old pipe runs under a hard surface. ## How a moling job runs A launch pit is dug at one end of the route, near the boundary stop tap, and a receiving pit at the other, near where the pipe enters the house. Both go to the depth the pipe will be laid at, between 750mm and 1,350mm below finished ground level under the [Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1148). The mole is set up in the launch pit, lined up on the receiving pit, and driven through. New blue MDPE pipe is pulled through the hole it makes. The pipe is then connected at both ends with approved fittings and pressure-tested before the pits are backfilled. ## When moling works, and when it doesn’t Moling works best in ground the mole can push through evenly. It struggles with: - large stones, brick rubble and old foundations, which can deflect the mole off line; - tree roots and other buried services on the route; - very long runs, or runs that need to change direction. Other buried services, such as gas, electricity and drains, are located before the mole runs, so it is not driven blind. The survey tells you whether moling is realistic before you commit. If it isn’t, the fallback is an open trench, priced alongside. ## What it costs Checkatrade lists moling in Nottinghamshire at [£1,200–£3,000+](https://www.checkatrade.com/Search/Lead-Pipe/in/Nottinghamshire). A trench can look cheaper on paper, but once you add lifting and relaying block paving or patching tarmac, moling often comes out level or ahead. [What moling a water pipe costs](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/moling-water-pipe-cost/) sets out the factors. ## What's included - Survey of the route, surfaces and ground - Other buried services located before moling - Launch pit and receiving pit dug to depth - Mole run between the pits pulling new MDPE pipe - Connection at the boundary and internal stop tap - Pressure test before the pits are backfilled - Pits backfilled and surfaces put back - Record of the new pipe route ## How the options compare Water Pipe Moling: options compared Compare Do it yourself Dig-and-hope operator Proper leak detection Surface disturbed Whole route dug by hand Whole route trenched Two small pits Block paving or tarmac Lifted and relaid Lifted and relaid Left in place Depth Whatever you manage Not always checked 750mm–1,350mm Other services Risk of hitting them Sometimes checked Located before the mole runs ## Related resources - [Decision Guide How much does moling a water pipe cost?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/moling-water-pipe-cost/) - [Decision Guide How much does water supply pipe replacement cost?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/water-supply-pipe-replacement-cost/) - [Decision Guide How much does lead pipe replacement cost?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/lead-pipe-replacement-cost/) Water coming up now? 1. 1Turn off your internal stop tap. It is usually under the kitchen sink. 2. 2Water in the road or on the pavement? That is Severn Trent's: call 0800 783 4444 (+448007834444). 3. 3On your side of the boundary? Call us, 9am–7pm, 7 days. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) Standards and rules we work to - Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 - Supply pipe depth of 750mm to 1,350mm - WRAS-approved pipe and fittings - Services located before moling Step by step ## What happens, from call to report 1. ### Survey Check the route, what is on top, the ground and any other buried services in the way. 2. ### Dig the pits A launch pit and a receiving pit at regulation depth, one at each end of the run. 3. ### Mole and pull The mole drives through the ground between the pits, pulling the new MDPE pipe behind it. 4. ### Connect, test, close up Both ends connected, the new pipe pressure-tested, and the pits backfilled. The work ## How the work looks Illustrative photos of the methods and finish described on this page. They are not records of particular customers' jobs. - ![Pneumatic mole tool used to lay a new water pipe without digging a trench, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/pneumatic-mole-tool-on-grass-nottingham.webp) Pneumatic mole tool used to lay a new water pipe without digging a trench - ![Receiving pit beside a house wall with the new moled water pipe coming through, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/receiving-pit-by-house-wall-with-new-pipe-nottingham.webp) Receiving pit beside a house wall with the new moled water pipe coming through - ![Compressor and air hose set up on a drive for water pipe moling, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/compressor-and-air-hose-on-drive-nottingham.webp) Compressor and air hose set up on a drive for water pipe moling - ![Moling pit backfilled next to block paving left completely intact, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/pit-backfilled-next-to-intact-block-paving-nottingham.webp) Moling pit backfilled next to block paving left completely intact New supply pipe needed under the drive? Ask about moling. Moling surveys anywhere in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) [Request a quote](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/contact/) Questions ## Water Pipe Moling: common questions ### How much does water pipe moling cost? Checkatrade lists moling in Nottinghamshire at £1,200–£3,000+. Length, depth, ground conditions and the connections at each end set the price. See [what moling a water pipe costs](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/moling-water-pipe-cost/). ### Can moling go under any drive? Most, but not all. The mole needs ground it can push through. Large stones, old foundations, tree roots and other services in the way can stop or deflect it. The survey checks for these before you commit. ### Is moling better than digging a trench? Under a drive, patio or path, usually. Across open lawn, a trench can be simpler and cheaper. Where both would work, you get both priced. ### Can moling be used for lead pipe replacement? Yes. It is a common way to replace a lead supply pipe under a drive or path. The new pipe still has to meet Severn Trent's scheme rules for the free reconnection. See [lead pipe replacement](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/lead-pipe-replacement/). ### Are you open 24 hours? No. Lines are open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm. Out of hours, turn off your internal stop tap to stop the flow and call us in the morning. If water is coming up in the road or on the pavement, that is on Severn Trent's side: report it free on 0800 783 4444 (+448007834444). Related ## Related services - ### [Water Supply Pipe Replacement](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-supply-pipe-replacement/) A new MDPE supply pipe from the boundary to your stop tap when the old one is past repairing. View service - ### [Lead Pipe Replacement](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/lead-pipe-replacement/) Replace the lead pipe inside your boundary so Severn Trent can reconnect you free under its Lead Replacement Scheme. View service - ### [Water Leak Under Driveway](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-leak-under-driveway/) Wet block paving or a patch that never dries: trace the pipe under the drive and mark the spot to lift. View service Replace the pipe, keep the drive. Call to book a survey, or send a quote request. Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) [Request a quote](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/contact/)