You might have heard what hydro excavation is, but you may not really know how it works and what characterises this unique excavation process. Hydro excavation is one of the most precise and accurate forms of excavation that eliminates the damage associated with conventional excavation methods.
So, what exactly is hydro excavation, and what should you know about it? In this article, we’ll give a quick introduction to hydro excavation, along with three facts that you should know about it.
What Is Hydro Excavation?
Hydro excavation is the process of removing or moving soil with pressurised water. Pressurised water is used to turn the soil into a slurry which is sucked up by an air conveyance or a vacuum. From here, the slurry is transferred into a debris tank contained in the hydro excavation truck.
This excavation method originated in the oil and gas industries in Canada. Because the cold weather in Canada left the soil frozen, hydro excavation made it much easier to break through the soil with heated, pressurised water.
In Australia, frozen soil is not necessarily a problem, and so heated pressurised water is not used. However, hydro excavation still remains a popular excavation method.
Hydro excavation is typically used for purposes such as daylighting, potholing, trenching, pipe and sewer rehabilitation, landscaping, pole installation, and many more. It is a flexible excavation process that has a wide range of applications.
Three Facts About Hydro Excavation
So what are some interesting facts you should know about hydro excavation? If you are interested to learn more about these facts, feel free to keep reading below.
1). Hydro Excavation Is Non-Destructive
As previously mentioned, hydro excavation is precise, which means that it won’t damage the surrounding areas. However, hydro excavation can also prevent underground damage.
For example, traditional excavation methods often use tools and equipment such as metal shovels or claws that can damage pipes, sewer lines, and other underground utilities. Meanwhile, high-pressure water will not cause damage to these utilities, especially if you are unsure what is beneath the soil in the first place.
2). Hydro Excavation Is Precise
Unlike conventional methods of excavation, hydro excavation is precise because it makes use of intense and focused high-pressure water and suction. With this, you will be able to control the pressurised water yet to carry out a more accurate excavation. Because of this, hydro excavation is considered to carry out the job efficiently.
Because hydro excavation is precise, it is highly compatible with gardens, parks, or areas that need drainage sumps and trenches. Small slits and trenches can easily be created with minimal damage. Meanwhile, heavy equipment such as backhoes associated with traditional excavation methods can often ruin the surrounding area are not needed.
3). Hydro Excavation Is Efficient
There are a number of reasons why hydro excavation is considered efficient. One reason is that hydro excavation is much quicker than traditional excavation. The speed at which high-pressure water can excavate soil is unmatched when compared to the amount of time it takes to manually dig up a few holes in the ground. Hydro excavation can get the job done in a few hours rather than a few days.
Aside from being time-efficient, hydro excavation is efficient because it can handle various types of soil, ranging from clay to sand. It is also functional in freezing temperatures given that it originated from Canada.
Compared to traditional excavation methods, the hydro excavation method also does not deal with mechanical parts or equipment. This helps eliminate mechanical failures and other technical issues associated with mechanical counterparts, along with unnecessary financial expenses to fix these issues.
Summary
Hydro excavation is a process of excavation that makes use of highly pressurised water and a vacuum. High-pressure water is used to convert the ground into a slurry which is sucked up by a vacuum and contained in a debris tank inside the hydro excavation truck.
Hydro excavation is a precise, non-destructive, and efficient excavation method that offers many more benefits and advantages over traditional methods of excavation. Through hydro excavation, you will be able to carry out the job in a more suitable time frame, eliminate unnecessary damage, and end up with a precise and accurate excavation job.