Vacuum excavation is a non-destructive method of excavation.
If you are working in the vicinity of any underground assets and are looking for the most effective excavation method, it’s worth considering vacuum excavation. The method is non-destructive and allows for efficient and quick digging. But what exactly is vacuum excavation? And when can it be used?
What is vacuum excavation?
Vacuum excavation is a non-mechanical method of excavation that is less invasive than other methods. During the process, a blast of air or water is directed onto the work site to loosen soil and break up other large pieces of debris. Once the soil has been loosened and broken up, an air vacuum is used to remove the debris from the ground. The debris is then transferred to a special tank. This soil and debris can then be transported away from the digging site.
When did it start?
The method of vacuum excavation dates as far back as the late 1800s when pressurised water was used in the mining industry in America. The use of pressurised water to break up the earth was a cleaner and safer way to dig.
The method was modified over time, and in the 1950s, pressurised air was used to excavate. The demand for vacuum excavation continued to grow, and from the early 2000s on, new equipment designs began to emerge. Factors like reduced noise contributed to the rising popularity of the method, particularly in residential areas. Other innovations included new nozzle technology to increase digging capability and reduce damage to underground utilities, as well as larger tanks for increased efficiency.
While larger tanks allowed contractors to stay at digging sites longer, smaller, more compact tanks were also developed. Smaller tanks were — and still are — useful in cases where work areas are hard-to-reach or tight.
What are the benefits of vacuum excavation?
One of the benefits of vacuum excavation is that it reduces the need for manual digging as well as more destructive traditional excavation methods. As such, there are fewer safety risks for onsite workers.
The method also tends to be more cost-effective as there is little risk of damaging underground pipes and other utilities. Because the method is non-destructive, there is rarely a need for expensive repairs.
The method is very versatile and can be used in a broad range of terrains. This includes frozen grounds as well as hard rock and soil.
Who can use vacuum excavation?
Because vacuum excavation is a safe, economical, and non-destructive technique, it has gained popularity in many industries. Many companies choose to use this method when digging—possible projects include construction, civil engineering, railways, roads, utilities, and telecommunications.
Vacuum excavators can be used to replace and/or repair assets that are located under the ground and are suitable for projects of any size.
Is the method accurate?
Vacuum excavation is a very precise method of excavation, which makes it a particularly safe and low-risk technique. Complete control is provided either through a remote-controlled power arm or a manually controlled arm, which makes it easy to locate underground utilities with accuracy. When all of the necessary underground utilities have been located and marked, the vacuum excavator will remove the specific area of the ground so that any maintenance and repair work can be performed.
How deep can it go?
One of the reasons that vacuum trucks are often chosen over other methods is because of their ability to excavate to quite considerable depths. The most powerful hydro vacuum excavators can generally dig down to a depth of around 18 metres. This means that the method can be used for precision digging in areas of ground that other equipment is simply not able to manage.
Even at considerable depths, hydro vacuum excavators work very efficiently, typically taking only a few hours to complete jobs that would take several days to perform manually.
Is it safe?
Vacuum excavation is a very safe method when compared with more traditional excavation methods. The technology makes it possible to excavate an area of ground with very little risk of damage or injury.
As well as being safe and non-destructive, vacuum excavation also allows for reduced noise and minimal disruption to the surrounding area. Vibrations can also be limited, which means that damage to the site and surrounding area is highly unlikely.
How can we help?
At Reveal Underground Services, we offer a comprehensive range of services designed to assist with both commercial and private non-destructive digging. We provide hydro vacuum excavation services in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Victoria, and Sunshine Coast regions.
To find out more about our hydro vacuum excavation services and how we can assist with your project, please have a look here.
If you choose to use our services, you can expect to receive the highest quality experience and results. Our team has over a decade of experience and is available to help you, no matter the size of your project. We have worked with plumbers, electricians, contractors, drillers, surveyors, engineers, site planners, town planners, homeowners, and a variety of other professionals during our years of excavation and detecting underground services.
As well as hydro vacuum excavation, we also offer underground service location, ground penetrating radar (GPR), utility mapping and surveying, and concrete scanning.
To find out more about the full range of services we offer, please have a look here.