Non-disruptive underground pipe replacement process

Abstract

A method of installing a new underground pipe adjacent an existing underground pipe begins with drilling a series of substantially vertical boreholes downwardly from the ground surface so as to expose a portion of the existing pipe. Then, a pilot stem is directionally bored in a first direction adjacent the existing pipe and intersecting the bottoms of the vertical boreholes. Next, a reamer head is pulled in an opposite direction to enlarge the pilot hole, while pulling the new pipe through the enlarged hole behind the reamer head. The new pipe extends substantially parallel and adjacent the existing pipe. When the existing pipe is a water main, water service through the existing pipe is maintained during these drilling steps, until the new pipe is installed and connected for water service. The existing pipe is retained and can be repurposed for other uses.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.