Cross-bores, while potentially very dangerous, are quite common when utility lines are horizontally drilled. This ultimately causes issues and creates potential risk. However, most municipal leaders and contractors aren’t fully aware of the reason most cross bores occur, why they pose such immense danger, and the best way to mitigate them from happening.
What are Cross Bores?
In our modern world, there are so many sewer lines, utility lines, and miscellaneous underground infrastructure that fill up the underground. When a company needs to drill a new utility line using horizontal directional drilling methods, they’re navigating through a maze of existing pipes and infrastructure that may not be properly documented.
Cross bores occur when the installation of a utility line through horizontal directional drilling intersects an existing pipe. In the case of gas lines, this can create leaks that may result in explosions during routine sewer cleaning. Protecting utility crews as well as the general public means natural gas, fiber optic, and telecommunications providers must make cross-bore prevention a priority.
Why are Cross-Bores Dangerous?
The danger of cross bores cannot be overstated. When a gas line penetrates a sewer pipe, it creates a ticking time bomb. Gas can leak into the sewer system undetected for months or even years. The real danger emerges during routine maintenance when sewer cleaning equipment creates sparks or heat that can ignite accumulated gas, leading to catastrophic explosions.
These incidents have resulted in fatalities, severe injuries to utility workers and homeowners, and millions of dollars in property damage. Beyond gas lines, fiber optic and telecommunications cross bores can cause service outages and create liability issues. The utility conflict risks extend to both public infrastructure and private property, making sewer lateral inspection a critical safety measure that protects everyone.
How to Mitigate Cross-Bores
The challenge with cross bores is that many were created decades ago when record-keeping was poor or nonexistent. These “legacy” cross bores exist throughout the nation’s infrastructure, waiting to be discovered. The question isn’t whether cross bores exist in your service area. The question is where they are and how quickly you can find them before an incident occurs.
Proactive cross-bore inspection is the only reliable solution. Waiting for a problem to surface puts lives at risk and exposes your organization to significant liability. Municipal leaders and utility providers need a systematic approach to identify existing cross bores and prevent new ones from being created during current construction projects. This means inspecting sewer mains and laterals before, during, and after any horizontal directional drilling activity in your service area.
How Pro-Pipe Solves This Issue
Pro-Pipe has developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive cross-bore inspection programs specifically designed to eliminate these risks. Our approach combines advanced technology with meticulous data management to give you complete confidence in your infrastructure safety.
We use robotic lateral launch systems that inspect sewer mains and service laterals directly from manholes. This means thorough examinations without invasive digging or disrupting property owners. Our inspections cover the main line, each connection point, and service laterals all the way to building foundations. This technology allows us to quickly identify any utility conflicts before they become dangerous.
What sets Pro-Pipe apart is our commitment to creating a permanent, accessible record of every inspection. We build GIS-based, time-stamped libraries that track every inspection, link video footage to GPS coordinates, and provide cloud-based access to all your data.
Our quality control team reviews every inspection to ensure accuracy. We can conduct risk assessments to identify high-priority areas and coordinate access to both municipal systems and private property through our 24/7 dispatch center. Whether you’re dealing with legacy infrastructure or current construction projects, Pro-Pipe provides the comprehensive cross-bore prevention program that keeps crews safe and communities protected.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
Cross bores represent one of the most serious yet preventable risks in underground infrastructure. Don’t wait for an incident to force your hand. Pro-Pipe’s cross-bore inspection program gives you the tools, technology, and data management you need to protect your community and your organization. Contact us today to learn how we can help you implement a comprehensive cross-bore prevention strategy.