What is hydro excavation? Are you looking for hydro excavation services? Why should you use this type of excavation to break and remove soil from specific areas? How does hydro-excavation work? What components of a hydrovac truck make excavating possible? Does hydro excavation have any benefits? What are the various applications of hydro excavation in different work sites?
What is hydro excavation?
A vacuum system and pressurized water quickly break and remove a large amount of soil from areas that require excavation. Pressurized water creates a dirt slurry. The slurry is then removed to expose underground structures. This technique helps to uncover existing pipe systems and utility lines without damaging them.
How hydro excavation services work
Specially designed trucks equipped with components that make hydro excavation possible are used. These components include:
- On-board water tanks.
It stores clean water used to create a pressurized stream of water. It cuts through the soil.
- Powered pump system.
It boosts the pressure level of the water jet that easily cuts through compacted soil and dirt.
- Articulating boom fitted with suction hoses.
It directs the slurry mixture from the excavation point into the storage tank of the truck.
- Vacuum pump system.
It creates the suction that recovers the slurry in the vacuum hoses.
- Debris tank.
It is where the slurry from the vacuum system is deposited.
It heats the water before pressurization if the ground is frozen.
A pressurized water jet is directed onto the ground. This jet cuts through the soil and loosens it as water penetrates. The articulating boom, which is fitted with suction hoses, draws the slurry. It enables the water jet to reach soil at a lower depth. It goes on until you achieve the desired depth. Once the work is complete, the slurry from the holding tank is offloaded to a designated dumping location. The debris tank is then cleaned.
Benefits of hydro excavation
- Excavation speed.
Compared to manual digging, hydro excavation is a fast and efficient process.
The pressurized water jet makes a precise cut into the soil. The handheld pressurized wand is small and flexible. It makes it easy for operators to maneuver through tight spaces with minimal disruption to the environment. Less soil is disturbed. The restoration effort is simple when backfilling.
- The risk of injury is minimal.
It is a safe method of excavation that does not pose a risk to workers and passersby.
- Less costly.
The work crew needed to complete the task with a hydrovac is smaller when compared to the work crew required for manual digging. The process is faster and the work crew smaller. It means a reduction in excavation cost.
- Works during winter.
The repair and construction process can go on even during the cold seasons. Hydrovac has boilers that heat the water used to soften the frozen soil.
- Non-destructive.
Underground utilities are safe from damage. It saves you time and money used for additional repairs caused by the excavation process. The underground structures are cleaned with the water jet to remove dirt and debris. It makes doing repairs simple.
Applications
Hydro excavation is helpful in various work sites for repair/maintenance, general construction, utility servicing, and inspections.
Dirt covering existing utility services is removed to allow the service lines to be inspected and repaired.
- Piling home excavation.
It is the removal of soil to the desired depth in a limited area. It allows the installation of poles, posts, signs, or pilings that supports aboveground structures.
- Slot trenching.
It is digging of narrow trenches where cables, pipes, or other utility services are installed.
- Debris removal.
- Cold weather penetration.
- Inspections and repair of the sewer.
Conclusion
Hydro excavation is the process of using a pressurized water jet to break and remove soil from the ground. Onboard water tanks, powered pump system, articulating boom fitted with suction hose, vacuum pump system, debris tank, and boiler are components that make hydro excavation possible. Hydro excavation is fast, risk injury is minimal, accurate, less costly, non-destructive, and works during winter. Daylighting, piling home excavation, slot trenching, debris removal, potholing, cold weather penetration, and sewer inspections are the various applications of hydro excavation in different work sites.
