Cross Bore Services

They are two words no contractor or municipal engineer wants to hear: cross bore. A cross bore is what happens when one underground utility intersects another. Most worrying is when a gas line punches through a sewer main or lateral. Cross bore risk has risen with the use of trenchless technologies like horizontal directional drilling, because the operator can’t physically see what’s in the immediate vicinity of the drill bit. 

"Even ONE is a concern" ​ 

Left untouched, a cross bore isn’t a danger on its own. But over a period of years, sediment can build up around the intruder and block the sewer line. When a contractor tries to clear it, trouble can ensue. ​ 

And that trouble can be of the worst kind. In June 2012, a plumber punctured a gas line while attempting to clear a blocked sewer lateral at a home in Indianapolis triggering an explosion that levelled the house. Fortunately, everyone inside made it out in time and there were no injuries. I would say there neighbors were NOT HAPPY!

Can Cross Boring be Prevented? 

Great question ​ 

YES 100% it can be prevented. Cloud 9 has been preventing cross boring pipes in Central FL, for 20+ years. A quick video pipe inspection will give the boring company the location, depth and the size of the crossing pipes.

Cross Bore Inspection 

Natural gas, sewer cable, and other kinds of lines are often laid underground. Before a new line can be laid in the same area, it's essential to undertake a thorough inspection of the area. This is known as a cross bore inspection. Cross boring can be a dangerous situation. It occurs when a new line is drilled into one of the existing lines. Inspecting for a potential conflict can reduce risk and minimize extra costs. ​ 

When you schedule a cross bore inspection service, our team at Cloud 9 Services will obtain existing information about the area -- including schematics and reports about the lines that may be below the surface. This is helpful because other lines are not always visible. When the work begins, an applicable manhole or another point of entry will be opened. Our CCTV camera will be inserted into the pipe and begin to scan for cross bores. As the CCTV camera scans the pipes, it will reveal the additional connections that might exist. The CCTV camera will move throughout each pipe, from the entry point to where it enters the building's foundation.

Cross Bore Locating 

When cross bores exist in a sanitary sewer or storm drain system, it presents a tremendously hazardous situation. Cloud 9 Services is able to quickly locate cross bores through a combination of CCTV inspection cameras of mainline pipes, sewer service lines and with highly accurate GPS data collection. ​ 

Trenchless technologies (moles, plows, horizontal directional drilling, etc.) have been utilized since the 1970s to bore natural gas lines in the United States. On the surface, natural gas line boring seems non-invasive. However, in reality, boring equipment is manufactured to penetrate almost anything in its path.​

Laterals and storm drain lines are often times in the path of the bore. A cross bore is defined as an intersection of an existing underground utility or underground structure by a second utility resulting in the direct contact between the transactions of the utilities that compromises the integrity of either utility or underground structure. 

RAISING Cross Boring Awareness

Construction activity continues to increase across the country, underscoring the need for steadfast dedication to prevent damages to underground facilities. Cross bores, or intersections of existing underground utilities by a second utility during installation, are enduring problems carrying potentially disastrous consequences. When analyzing the underlying causes of cross bores, as well as alternative ways to address and reduce them, a lack of consistency and clarity is evident among the key stakeholders. ​ 

Close working relationships between contractors and their customers in the gas distribution industry can go a long way to reduce cross bores. However, further action is needed by gas utilities, local and state governmental agencies, as well as the federal government to ultimately turn the reduction of cross bores in to total prevention. 

We at Cloud 9 Services believes the following practices and actions will collectively help raise awareness and prevent cross bore scenarios and facility damages across the country.