When it comes to excavation, people often think of big earthmovers with giant buckets, but that type of excavation is not the only way to remove dirt and debris. Hydro excavation, also known as hydrovac or vacX, uses pressurized water to loosen and cut soil and a powerful vacuum to remove soil and materials in a non-destructive digging method.
As the leader in safe digging and hydro excavation, TRUVAC has created the ultimate guide to hydro excavation. Below, the TRUVAC team of experts breaks down 5 things to know about hydro excavation.
- Uses vary. Hydro excavation has many applications from utility potholing and daylighting to slot trenching and emergency utility work. If dirt is involved, hydro excavation can be used. When it comes to replacing utility poles, installing fences, or inspecting water lines for lead, hydro excavation is an option.
- Safety increases. The main benefit of hydro excavation is safety. If following the Gas Technology Institute’s Best Practices of Hydro Excavation, the risks are all but eliminated. Because you are using pressurized water and not blindly sticking a sharp metal object in the ground under pressure, there is a minimal risk of damaging buried utilities.
- Cold temps aren’t a problem. When equipped with a water heater, a hydro excavator can cut easily through frozen soil. Even in the most extreme temperatures of Fort McMurray Alberta, Canada, the frozen soil doesn’t stand a chance against a hydro excavator.
- Excavate from a distance. Because not all work is conveniently located, hydro excavation can be performed remotely. Using remote hose, the truck can be parked on the street, and work can be performed in a basement, backyard, or even an elevator shaft inside a building.
- Precision of a surgeon. Because the operator can put the digging lance directly where the hole is needed, no excess soil needs to be removed when excavating. Operators of hydro excavators are the surgeons of the dirt world. They are highly skilled and trained to perform work as efficiently and safely as possible.
As experts in hydro excavation, the TRUVAC team’s comprehensive guide includes even more things to know about hydro excavation including handling deep excavations that need more lift power, disposing of materials, federal and state regulations and more. The guide can also help clarify how much PSI and capacity is needed depending on the ground type and many other factors.
TRUVAC specializes in hydro excavators, with models for any size job, and its extensive dealer network means TRUVAC hydro excavators are available near you. Visit TRUVAC.com to learn more.