Author

Articles by Paul McFadden

Director, McFadden Utilities

Paul is the director of McFadden Utilities Limited, a family-run water utility and civils contractor based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. With over 20 years in the water industry, Paul oversees all self-lay, main laying, and repair and maintenance operations across London and the South East.

← Back to all insights

24 articles

By Paul McFadden

Directional
Directional drilling

Directional drilling in oil and gas vs HDD in UK utilities: two different disciplines

Directional drilling in oil and gas and HDD on UK utility schemes share a name and little else. Where the two disciplines actually diverge.

Paul McFadden · 9 min read
Construction worker operating directional drilling machine near residential area on sunny day
Directional drilling

How does directional drilling work? From pilot bore to pullback

Directional drilling explained step by step: pilot bore, back-reaming and pullback, plus the UK depth, clearance and permit rules that govern the bore.

Paul McFadden · 9 min read
Yellow triangular caution sign at construction site with drilling equipment visible.
Directional drilling

What is directional drilling? HDD explained for UK utility schemes

What directional drilling is, where HDD fits on UK utility schemes, and the pipe, survey and street works constraints that decide if a bore works.

Paul McFadden · 8 min read
watford 1
Leak Detection

How much does water leak detection cost in the UK?

Why UK leak detection prices range from under £100 to £1,500, what actually drives the cost, when detection is free, and what trace and access covers.

Paul McFadden · 7 min read
How to tell if you have an underground water leak
Leak Detection

How to tell if you have an underground water leak

The signs of an underground water leak, from high bills and low pressure to damp ground, plus two meter tests and who is responsible for fixing it.

Paul McFadden · 7 min read
reinstatement
Regulations and standards

The NRSWA Red Book explained: the statutory code behind safe street works

What the NRSWA Red Book is, who issues it, which roads it covers, how it differs from Chapter 8, and which edition is current. Explained by a UK contractor.

Paul McFadden · 9 min read
Leak Detection

Who is responsible for a water leak outside your house?

A water leak outside the house is not automatically the water company's problem. The property boundary, not your fence, decides who is responsible.

Paul McFadden · 8 min read
Get In Touch

Got a project
to discuss?

Whether you're a developer planning a self-lay scheme, a water company responding to a burst, or a Tier 1 contractor looking for utility subcontracting capacity, we'd welcome the conversation.

Request a quote