Trenchless Drilling in Lick, CA

Skip the Excavation, Keep Your Landscape

Advanced directional drilling gets the job done without destroying your property or your budget.

Hear from Our Customers

No-Dig Drilling Solutions Lick

Your Yard Stays Intact

You don’t have to choose between fixing your plumbing and keeping your landscape. Trenchless drilling lets you have both.

Instead of tearing up your driveway, sidewalks, or carefully maintained garden beds, we use directional drilling to reach underground pipes with minimal surface disruption. You get the repair or installation you need without the mess, without the restoration costs, and without weeks of looking at a construction zone.

The process is faster than traditional excavation, which means less time dealing with contractors in your space and quicker return to normal life. Your sprinkler systems stay connected, your trees keep their roots undisturbed, and your property value stays protected.

Experienced Trenchless Contractors Lick

We're Your Second Opinion

Fix-it Plumbing has specialized in underground plumbing construction since 2007, serving Santa Clara County with advanced trenchless drilling technology. Our owner brings over 20 years of plumbing experience to every project.

We focus on complex underground work that other companies either can’t handle or price too high. When you’ve gotten estimates that seem inflated or unreasonable, we’re the call you make next.

Our three-person crew handles ADU installations, sewer line replacements, and directional drilling projects that require specialized equipment and real expertise. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone – we’re really good at the underground work that matters most.

Directional Drilling Process Lick

Here's How We Do It

First, we locate your existing utilities and map the drilling path using precision equipment. This planning phase prevents surprises and ensures we hit our target accurately.

Next, we set up our directional drilling equipment at a small entry point, usually just a few feet wide. The drill head follows a predetermined path underground, guided by tracking technology that keeps us on course and at the right depth.

Once we reach the exit point, we attach the new pipe or cable to a reamer that pulls it back through the drilled path. The reamer smooths and enlarges the hole as it travels, creating a clean pathway for your new infrastructure.

The entire process typically takes a day or two, depending on distance and soil conditions. You’re left with two small restoration areas instead of a trench running across your entire property.

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Trenchless Sewer Repair Lick

What You Get With Us

Every trenchless drilling project includes site evaluation, utility locating, and precise path planning before we start drilling. You’ll know exactly what to expect and when.

We handle the permits and coordinate with local utilities when needed. Our equipment can work in tight spaces and navigate around existing underground infrastructure that would complicate traditional excavation.

The work comes with cleanup of our small access points and restoration to match your existing landscape. We’re not leaving you with bare dirt patches or unfinished areas – the job isn’t done until your property looks right.

How much does trenchless drilling cost compared to traditional excavation?

Trenchless drilling typically costs more upfront than traditional digging, but you save significantly on restoration costs. When you factor in replacing driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, and sprinkler systems that get destroyed during excavation, trenchless often comes out ahead. We price our work fairly – if you’ve gotten estimates that seem excessive, call us for a realistic second opinion. The total project cost usually makes more sense when you’re not paying twice for the same square footage.

What types of pipes can you install using directional drilling?

We can install most types of utility lines including sewer pipes, water lines, gas lines, and electrical conduit. The pipe material depends on your specific application – PVC for most sewer work, HDPE for water lines, and appropriate conduit for electrical runs. Our equipment handles diameters from 2 inches up to 8 inches for most residential and light commercial applications. We’ll recommend the right material based on your local codes, soil conditions, and the specific requirements of your project.

How do you know where to drill without hitting existing utilities?

We start every job with professional utility locating using both 811 marking services and our own detection equipment. This identifies gas, electric, water, and telecommunication lines in the drilling path. Our drilling equipment includes real-time tracking technology that shows us exactly where the drill head is located underground, so we can navigate around existing utilities safely. We also hand-dig verification holes at critical points when working near known utilities. This careful approach prevents service interruptions and costly utility repairs.

How long does a typical trenchless drilling project take?

Most residential directional drilling projects take one to two days, depending on the distance and complexity. Simple runs under driveways or sidewalks often finish in a single day. Longer runs for ADU connections or complex routing around obstacles might take two days. Weather and soil conditions can affect timing – rocky soil or wet conditions slow progress. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during our initial assessment and keep you updated if conditions change the schedule.

What happens if you hit rock or other obstacles underground?

Our drilling equipment can handle most soil conditions including clay, sand, and moderate rock formations. For harder rock, we have specialized bits and can adjust drilling speed and technique. If we encounter unexpected obstacles like large boulders or abandoned utilities, we can often drill around them or modify the path slightly. In rare cases where directional drilling becomes impractical, we’ll discuss alternative approaches with you before proceeding. Our experience in Santa Clara County soil conditions helps us anticipate and plan for most underground challenges.

Do you handle the permits and inspections for trenchless drilling work?

Yes, we handle permit applications and coordinate required inspections for your trenchless drilling project. Requirements vary by city and project type – some utility installations need permits while others don’t. We know the local requirements in Santa Clara County and will pull the necessary permits before starting work. We also schedule inspections at the appropriate stages and ensure the work meets local codes. This takes the administrative burden off you and ensures everything is done properly from a regulatory standpoint.

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