Traditional excavation methods, such as digging by hand with shovels, and moving tremendous amounts of dirt with large trucks have been utilized by contractors, property owners, and municipalities since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but you get the point. The bottom line is that people have been excavating the exact same way for many years. Although the construction industry is typically slow at adopting new technologies, there is a new kid on the block when it comes to excavation.
This new method is incredibly efficient, cost effective, and causes far less damage to the environment. In addition, the traditional methods of digging do not always work in certain situations. For example, when there are conduits and or pipes that are buried in the area being excavated, a far more modern approach must be considered. Welcome to the world of hydro excavation. It is a cutting edge method that injects water into the ground through a hose.
This process turns the dirt or soil into a slurry. The slurry is vacuumed into a tank that is typically attached to a vacuum truck where it can be stored or removed from the site. What’s left is an open trench. The hydro excavation process can be utilized to excavate up to seventy (70) feet deep. It can also be used in areas that are not easily accessible by machinery. This is due to the fact that the water and vacuum hoses are long, which means the vacuum truck can be located far away from the excavation site.
This technologically advanced process can be utilized for virtually any type of soil including frozen ground since the water can be heated. The hydro excavation method offers a wide range of other benefits as well. For example, it is a far safer way to excavate because workers do not need to be inside the hole or trench in order to operate the excavation equipment. Unlike traditional excavation methods, hydro excavation minimizes damages and disruptions to existing infrastructures because the process is far more controlled.
In essence, the surrounding soil is not disrupted, which means caves in typically do not occur. Perhaps the biggest advance of the hydro excavation process is the fact that it is significantly faster when compared to traditional excavation methods. When it comes to construction related activities, time is money. Last, but certainly not least, hydro excavation minimizes the damage to existing infrastructure such as pipes and wires that are buried underground.
That is the reason why it has become so popular with utility installers. There are other uses for hydro excavation in addition to digging holes and trenches. For example, hydro excavation machines can be used to remove dirt and debris, and clean areas without damaging the existing infrastructure such as drainage systems and manholes.
In conclusion, the hydro excavation technique is incredibly useful in a vast variety of situations, and can all but replace the traditional excavation methods for most applications. If you have any questions about hydro excavation or would like to schedule service, we are happy to help. Jolin Paving & Excavating, Inc. is your New England connection for a vast variety of environmentally related services. Our company has been serving Boston Massachusetts, Southern NH, VT & ME as well as Northern CT & RI since 1952. Please Contact us to learn more today.
continue reading
