Whether you should go for hydrovac or air excavation is a common question that rises time and again among industrialists and business owners. Hydro excavation services and air excavation are used for purposes like potholing, trenching, digging, and maintenance of underground utilities, to name a few. Both are non-destructive and non-mechanical methods of excavation. While there lies some differences, both the processes are effective in their own ways. To answer your question, let’s look at both the services in detail:

What is Hydro Excavation?

Hydrovac, as the name suggests, signifies the use of water and vacuum. It utilizes pressurized water to remove soil and debris and excavate the area. The hydrovac truck is equipped with a suction hose, which sucks the accumulated slurry into the tank. Unlike traditional excavating techniques, the process involves no use of backhoes and other conventional equipment.

Cost

Since the use of traditional equipment and digging methods is eliminated, the excavation gets done faster using hydrovac. Reduction in time taken means reduction in the costs of equipment and manpower used. Thus, hydrovac is a cost-effective technique of excavating.

Safety

Traditional digging methods were considered unsafe to the environment, as well as the workers. The equipments used could cause harm to the workers and also damage the underground utilities. For projects that need to exercise caution because of the presence of underground pipes and utilities, hydrovac is the best choice. Plus, the use of water and vacuum causes no damage to the environment.

Application

Hydrovac can be used on any type of ground, be it hard, clay, or a frozen surface. It is applicable on virtually all soil types. Plus, it can be carried out in areas that are not easily accessible. A hydrovac truck can be placed far off from the site to be excavated.

What is Air Excavation?

Air excavation, also called as dry suction, uses compressed air to excavate the surface. Unlike hydrovac, the method does not use water. It uses high pressure air to break the soil, excavate the area and locate underground utilities. The debris is then vacuumed into the storage or holding tank. Also, since the waste is dry, it is not dumped in the sewage plant. It is usually used for backfilling.

Time

Like hydrovac, air excavation is also a quicker digging method. Although, both the excavation services are faster than that of traditional excavation methods, air excavation is comparatively slower when compared to hydrovac.

Cost

When compared with hydro excavation the cost of air excavation is almost similar. Unlike traditional methods, air excavation also uses non-conventional equipment and techniques. Thus, air excavation is a quick and cost-effective method.

Application

Air excavation is mainly used at places near highways and railroads. In fact, air excavation is usually a preferred choice in such areas. If a hydrovac is used at such places the wet debris can create traffic for the commuters, thus, air excavation service is used such places. Unlike hydrovac, air excavation is used only under specific environmental conditions. This is because the impact of air on frozen landscapes can be time consuming.

Thus, it can be said that hydro excavation services, as well as air excavation, have their unique benefits and limitations. The common factors being that they are cost-effective techniques that do not damage the environment and are completely safe.

If you are looking for excavation services you can connect with us at Sierra Hydrovac.

Hydro excavation services is used for various purposes including directional drilling. Directional drilling is a technique through which a well is bored at different angles. Typically, it controls the direction of the wellbore to a predetermined location. It most often refers to drilling at non-vertical angles and is referred to as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD).

HDD bores a well underground without destroying the landscape. The work is carried out by a directional rig that uses pressurized water jet and vacuum. Following are some of the benefits that HDD offers:

A Cost-efficient Process

Open cut excavation is the most common way of installing utilities. But, the method comes with its limitations. It can only be done when the ground above utilities can be disturbed. Open cut or trenching is the most common way of installing utilities. While this method is considered economical, it is also slow and may not be applicable in certain areas. Horizontal directional drilling is faster and can be used in the same situation where an open cut excavation is used. And, it can be utilized in areas where there are buildings and roadblocks. Not only this, there is savings in terms of equipment and manpower as well. Thus, cost-effectiveness is a benefit of HDD that must not be overlooked.

A Location-friendly Process

Horizontal directional drilling can help you excavate and install utilities at locations which are less accessible. If the area involves the risk of damaging important underground utilities, then you can opt for HDD for excavation. It also helps preserve the landscape as it does not require digging down the entire length of pipe and displaces less soil. Also, if you want a pipeline curved at a particular direction under the road, river, house, water bodies, etc. HDD can help you get the task done without any damage.

A Quick Installation Procedure

As compared to traditional drilling methods, horizontal directional drilling is faster as it reduces the need for manpower and conventional equipment. It eliminates the time of evacuating the soil and waste materials because it bores a well and the excess soil is adjusted.  In other words, the water jet used during the process does not generate excess debris. In fact, it pushes the soil to the side and does not let it come up to the surface.  There is less debris to rebury and dispose of, quickening the process.

If you are looking for directional drilling or any other hydro excavation services, then Sierra Hydrovac can help you with all your needs.

Hydro excavation is nothing but a technique of excavation that uses water and vacuum. Unlike traditional excavation, which uses manual ways of digging, hydro excavation is a safe process that involves the use of trucks and hoses to excavate. Hydro excavation services provider first uses pressurized water to loosen up and remove the soil and debris. After which, they use the vacuum to suck up the slurry.

Unlike the traditional method, this technique of excavation is safe for the environment, as well as the personnel. Since it does little to no harm when digging the earth, the process has become quite popular. Various industries use it for different purposes. Let’s look at the various uses and benefits of hydro excavation.

Applications of Hydro Excavation Services

As mentioned previously, the demand for hydro excavation services has increased lately. Some of the applications of hydro excavation are mentioned below:

Trenching – The method can be used to dig a trench to install data lines, gas lines, pipes, or to locate underground utilities.

Debris Removal – Hydro excavation services are also used to clear areas by removing debris. For example, it is used to clean drainage and manholes.

Daylighting – For those of you who want to cut down on costs and save resources, you can use hydrovac daylighting. Daylight is described as using hydrovac to uncover underground utilities to the daylight.

Potholing – Hydrovac or hydro excavation is a great way to dig and expose underground utilities in congested areas. The technique proves to be a great way of potholing in a cost-efficient manner.

Benefits of Hydro Excavation

Cost-efficient – Hydro excavation is faster than traditional digging method as it uses specific heavy duty equipment, unlike manual digging methods. It’s also efficient as it requires only the hydro excavation truck and no hand digging tools or an additional dump truck. Experienced crew members excavated the land by operating the truck. The reduced time allows the project to be carried out at low costs.

Reduced Risks – The use of shovels and backhoes in the traditional digging methods increased the chance of damage to the land, as well as the underground utilities. Plus, the entire process also possessed risk to workers. Hydro excavation eliminates such problems as it uses specialized equipment, water and vacuum. The experienced crew looks after the whole process and the work is done with greater precision. It also considers the nature and its importance, and makes sure it does not harm any kind of natural resource.

Hydro excavation reduces a lot of the risks and costs that are brought about by traditional digging methods. The benefits offered by the method, makes it a preferred choice for excavating in the industrial world. Since it is a non-mechanical and safe method, it gets the job done faster and more accurately with less effort from laborers.

If you’re looking for reliable hydro excavation services, then you can get in touch with us at Sierra Hydrovac. We can help you with any type of excavation work.