Mr. Trenchless Calgary Water & Sewer Contractors

Hydro Excavation Uses and Benefits | Hydro vs Mechanical

For many decades, traditional forms of excavation relied on mechanical digging: using tools like backhoes and dump trucks to dig around and expose underground utilities. Not only are these excavation jobs slow and labor-intensive, but the risk of damaging utility lines and operator accidents is high.

Today we’d like to talk about the uses and benefits of hydro excavation, a more recent alternative to mechanical digging. When you have a digging project to complete, hydro excavation has proven to be a safer, more efficient solution than bringing in heavy machinery.

What is Hydro Excavation?

Hydrovac excavation, is a non-mechanic, non-destructive process that uses pressurized water to break up the soil and create a dirt slurry. Next, the soil and debris are removed with an industrial-strength vacuum and stored in a debris tank to reveal deeper layers of the ground below.

What is Hydro Excavation Used For?

Hydrovac excavation is a soil-removing service and has many specific applications, including:

  • Daylighting – Also known as “potholing”, daylighting is the process of locating underground utility lines or pipelines (ie. exposing them to daylight).
  • Trenching – Trenching involves digging a narrow trench in the ground for a variety of construction projects including the installation, maintenance, or inspection of pipelines or cables.  
  • Pole Installation  – Hydrovac excavation is used to dig holes for line, sign, and pole installation.
  • Sewer Inspections, Repairs, and Rehabilitation – Hydro excavation reduces risks of damage or punctures in the pipelines.
  • Landscaping – Accurate excavation ensures the surrounding soil is not disturbed.

Hydrovac Excavation Specific Applications

What are the Benefits of Hydro Excavation?

Hydro Excavation offers several benefits over traditional excavation methods like mechanical digging. Hydrovacs are clearly the better option when it comes to overall safety, cost, and the environment. Let’s go into a little more detail.

Safety

Safety is a top priority for any construction project and hydro excavation provides a way of safely digging and moving soil. Conventional excavation methods often result in damage to underground utilities and surrounding structures, leading to potential hazards like gas leaks, electrical shocks, or explosions. One of the most significant safety hazards in excavation work is the risk of cave-ins and collapses. When digging, trenches can become unstable, leading to the collapse of the surrounding soil. Unstable conditions can result in injuries or even fatalities for workers inside the trench.

Hydro excavation uses high-pressure water to safely remove the soil without damaging underground utilities and reduces the risk of trench cave-ins. During the excavation process, workers are outside the trench, ensuring the process is safer for workers and the surrounding environment.

Accuracy

Precision is key when it comes to locating underground infrastructure. It is essential for the project’s safety, stability, and success. Mechanical means of moving soil often involve heavy equipment like backhoes and large tractors which are less accurate and often leave behind damage and debris.

Unlike mechanical digging, water excavating contractors use hydro excavation to achieve a high level of accuracy and precision. Workers use a handheld wand to deliver pressurized water, softening the soil for easy removal. This technique allows them to navigate tight quarters with minimal environmental disruption. Next, the vacuum system leaves behind a clean, precise excavation area, enabling contractors to accurately locate and identify utilities, pipelines, cables, or other obstacles safely and efficiently.

Benefits of Hydro Excavation

Labor and Cost

Hydrovac excavation can be a more cost-effective excavation method than its traditional counterparts. Mechanical digging is very labor-intensive: it requires more workers and is more time-consuming than hydro excavation. Traditional excavation methods often result in costly damage or delays.

The accuracy and efficiency of hydrovac equipment lead to long-term cost savings. Projects stay on schedule, reducing the risk of accidental damages and overall labor costs.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental concerns are a factor in any excavation project, especially when working near sensitive ecological areas or bodies of water. Unfortunately, mechanical digging can be very destructive. It requires large equipment and can cause significant damage to the surrounding environment.

On the other hand, hydro excavation technology minimizes disturbance to nearby areas and soils, causing less damage to the areas around the trench. It reduces the likelihood of soil contamination or accidental damage leading to environmental hazards. Overall, hydro excavation has a lower environmental impact than traditional excavation methods.

Weather Restrictions

Certain weather conditions, like sub-zero temperatures and frozen ground, can be a challenge for certain excavation projects. In certain climates, like Canada, you can not dig during the winter months, resulting in delays.

Hydrovac trucks are equipped to work in all kinds of weather. Hot water is used to heat up, thaw, and soften the frozen ground, allowing construction projects to continue safely during the colder months.

Hydro excavation offers a safer, more efficient alternative to mechanical digging. If you need materials removed from a work site, consider our Hydrovac services at Mr. Trenchless. Contact us today to learn more.

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