Hydro Excavation Services
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

Hydro Excavation VS Air Excavation

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.

Industrial Vacuum Truck
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3 Tips To Choose An Industrial Vacuum Truck

An industrial vacuum truck is mainly used to take out waste and debris like small rocks, sand, and slurry from the ground to clear the area for excavation. These vacuum trucks have a hydro-pump that makes the dry waste steady with splashing water. It becomes easier to clear the surface, and it also becomes easy to dump at the sewage treatment plant. Several businesses including chemical, oil and gas, utility services, and municipalities require an industrial vacuum truck.  If you are planning to buy an industrial vacuum truck, make sure you consider the following factors:

1) New, Used or Reconditioned

First, you need to decide whether you need to buy a new, used, or a reconditioned truck.Identify the services you need and the amount of time you need it for. For instance, you will have to determine whether you want the truck to dispose of dry, liquid, or both kinds of waste as you can buy trucks that serve each of these purposes.  Also, if you intend to use the truck for a limited period, then you can get a used truck. But, if you want specific appliances, then you can get a reconditioned or a new one. Once the decision is made, it will also help you finalize the budget accordingly.

2) Inspect Thoroughly

Now, that the budget is set and the truck is finalized, you need to inspect it. Make sure the vacuum truck fits in the bill. You already determined the purpose for which you need a vacuum truck. Inspect its features and ensure that they will help you carry out your task efficiently. You can ask the service provider to take you through its features and applications.  If you’re buying a used one, make sure you check the records for damage and replacement.

3) Check the Warranty and Get the Paperwork in Place

A warranty depends on the age and the condition of the truck. In other words, you get what you pay for. Buyers sometimes are not aware of the vital information such as the l things covered by the warranty. Make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully on the warranty. Also, follow the guidelines related to the paperwork. Be sure to obtain the copy of all the paperwork. If the seller denies to provide you with a copy, then look elsewhere. Make sure all the paperwork and permits are in place. And, don’t forget to ask the seller for a certificate that states that the truck has passed through the annual inspection.

Following these tips will ensure you bank upon the right industrial vacuum truck. If your need is temporary, then it makes sense to hire excavation services, instead of buying a truck. If you’re looking for reliable hydrovac or excavation services, then connect with us at Sierra Hydrovac.

Hydro Excavation Services
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

Advantages Of Horizontal Directional Drilling

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 Services
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

How Does Hydro Excavation Work

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.

Hydro Excavation Contractors
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

What Do Hydro Excavating Contractors Do

Hydro excavation is a procedure, which involves non-mechanical and non-destructive excavation methods. It uses pressurized water and vacuum hose to clear and excavate areas. Every Hydro excavation contractor works differently. Though they work differently, the method which is used for excavation remains the same. This process is typically used for cleaning and digging purposes by various industries. Following are some of the services that are provided by most of the Hydro excavation contractors:

Removal Of Waste

Hydrovac excavation helps clean areas of waste. It can remove wet as well as dry materials from trenches, pits, and underground tanks by using water and then vacuuming it into the truck. Whether it is cleaning manholes or simply removing debris for excavation, hydrovac contractors can help.

Daylighting

Daylighting is the process, where underground lines or pipes are exposed to daylight or made visible to easily complete the task. This process is mainly chosen to avoid damage to underground utilities like cable lines, pipes, gas and water lines, etc.

Potholing

Potholing requires precision, as it can be used for plumbing purposes or even to install a streetlight. Hydrovac can be the best solution for such purposes. Since Hydrovac is a safe method of digging and excavating, it adds precision. It is also comparatively faster than other methods.

Trenching

Shallow and long trenches may need to be created to install service lines. For instance, to install pipelines and sewer systems, trench excavation may need to be carried out. Hydro excavation contractors implement the hydrovac system to dig trenches.

Directional Drill

Directional drilling is mainly used for making gradual changes underground or on the ground level in a particular direction. In other words, if the ground has to be turned into a park, then directional drilling helps you install underground water pipes for sprinklers. Directional drilling is different than trenching, as it is used to dig in a particular direction underground.

Hydrovac is a safe and efficient method of excavating. The fact that it uses professional equipment and techniques, also contributes to the reduction in time and cost of a project.

If you are looking for a Hydro excavation contractor, then get in touch with us at Sierra Hydrovac.

Vacuum Truck Rental
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

Which Type Of Vacuum Truck Is Right For Your Project?

Specialization is a boon. All around us, we see specialists performing their tasks with such zeal and expertise that it results in new limits of relentless efficiency. Our excavation projects are no different; we have specialist vacuum trucks available for specific projects. You have the option of choosing between hydrovac units, vacuum trucks, and combo truck units. Vacuum truck rentals have reached a greater level of popularity because of the efficiency it guarantees.

However, this leads to a pressing question in our minds: which of these vacuum trucks is suitable for your project? It depends firmly on the type of excavation you would like to go ahead with.

The Combo Unit

Are you looking for a truck to move damp sludge? Does your project involve the cleaning of sewer lines, storm drains, and catch basins? In that case, a combo unit is an apt solution to your needs. A combo unit is an excellent option when we are considering moving relatively wet material because of the facility of the storage tanks. This functionality makes a combo truck adequate for cleaning purposes in several industrial facilities.

The Hydrovac Truck

A hydrovac truck or a hydro-vacuum truck is also suitable for moving wet material. The advantage of using hydrovac system trucks is that it ensures success even for excavation of hard ground because of the injection of pressurized water into the ground which manages to loosen it. Greater efficiency and directional control give hydrovac trucks the edge when we are considering trenching and mining projects. The sophistication and safety standards of hydrovac trucks guarantee to make hydro vacuum truck rentals immensely popular.

The Traditional Vacuum Truck

Vacuum trucks come with an all-around advantage, but their specialty lies in the excavation of particularly dry and dusty grounds and materials because vacuum trucks come equipped with a special filtration system. This system makes vacuum trucks suitable even in particularly diverse areas such as furnaces and baghouses which involve the collection of flying ash and slurries. This makes vacuum truck rentals quite popular among manufacturing, power, and chemical plants or facilities.

Now that you understand the various options available for your projects, the next step would certainly be reaching out to a trusted, acclaimed vacuum truck rental service provider. When making such a decision, the safety standards which the excavation equipment provides should be your greatest priority. It is for this reason we recommend reaching out to Sierra Hydrovac with your queries. Our hydrovac services and excavation services are greatly respected in the industry.

Hydro Vacuum Excavation Equipment
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

Why Is Hydro Vacuum Excavation Necessary For The Mining Industry?

Hydrovac or Hydro excavation is a type of excavation method which is non-destructive in nature. This means this operation causes no harm to its nearby surroundings. The process involves the injection of a pressurized jet of water into the ground meant to be excavated, in order to soften it.

The ground, because of the constant supply of water, loosens up substantially before it is collected through a hose with the use of a vacuum system. This sludge (the mix of ground and water) is safely deposited inside an attached storage tank. Mining has evolved substantially over the years and a layman would be surprised to find the extent of sophistication which is in use for modern-day mining operations which employ this vacuum trenching technique.

Here is why hydro excavation is so vastly popular in the mining industry:

Diversity in Soil Textures

Mining is executed on a vast variety of terrains and naturally, this would mean it is executed on an equally vast variety of soil types and ground textures. Hydrovac is an effective option for excavation, regardless of the texture of the soil, gravel, clay, or the soil type. On the other hand, its counterpart, mechanical excavation (which uses metal claws) is not as effective on certain terrains. In particular, Hydrovac is really effective for the hard Canadian soil where it is very difficult to dig into the ground because of the cold.

Hydrovac is Non-Destructive

Hydro vacuum excavation is a non-destructive process and causes no disturbance to its surroundings. This allows for a more precise and accurate operation which is particularly well suited for the mining industry as it is an extremely sensitive activity, known for its fair share of mishaps. The hydro vacuum excavation equipment used is extremely sophisticated in nature and helps maintain the safety standards obligatory for mining operations.

Hydrovac is Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient

Hydro vacuum excavation is surprisingly cost-effective because it manages to get the job done in a relatively short amount of time, thereby reducing the costs associated with prolonged operations. The technological superiority of hydro vacuum excavation equipment also makes sure you do not spend unnecessary financial resources on repairing the damage done to nearby surroundings.

This also helps in avoiding other costs associated with mishaps and labor accidents. The time taken by mechanical means of excavation does not even come close to the efficiency of Hydrovac. In the case of the mining industry where the scale of operations is really vast, this factor is a definite bonus.

Hydrovac Trucks Edmonton

Sierra Hydrovac is one of the leading Hydrovac services contractors, which is particularly well-regarded because of the technological capabilities of its hydro vacuum excavation equipment. You contact them directly to avail a free quote for the excavation services you require for your mining operations.

Vacuum Excavation Services
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

4 Benefits Of Vacuum Excavation

As the name suggests, vacuum excavation is done to excavate land or to remove heavy debris. It is primarily done using a suction excavator. A suction excavator is typically a construction vehicle that has a huge suction inlet pipe and a waste collection mechanism. Vacuum excavation uses highly advanced suction technology to uncover underground utilities in the most non-disruptive manner. When the same process is done using a water jet as opposed to a suction pipe, it is called hydro excavation.

Air vacuum and hydro vacuum are the two most commonly used methods for digging and are categorized under vacuum excavation. The former method uses a high-velocity stream of suctioned air whereas the latter uses high-pressure water jets.

Vacuum excavation services are used for a variety of applications such as to verify underground utilities, to clear environmental boring holes, and to excavate plumbing pipes and sewer lines to name a few. Now that we have understood what vacuum excavation is, let’s take a look at the potential benefits of using this method of trenching:

1) Minimum Damage to Underground Fixtures

One of the most well-known benefits of vacuum excavation is that it leads to a minimum disruption. The process of digging is designed in a manner that it does not harm any underground utilities or fixtures like water lines, cable lines, sewage pipes or boring wells. During the process, the vehicle is parked at a distance from the excavation area and the suction tube is let under the ground. No moving parts make contact with the underground utilities. This results in minimum or almost no damage to them.

2) Advanced Technology

Vacuum excavation is way more advanced than the traditional digging methods. It is much faster and as mentioned above, safer. A suction excavator removes much more material from the ground as compared to a hand dig. It also requires less labor involvement compared to traditional methods. So, the chances of on-site accidents are minimal. Lastly, this method of excavation provides high levels of accuracy as well.

3) Safer and Cleaner Work Site

In traditional digging methods, there is lack of precision and laborers have to cover a larger surface area while uncovering the soil. But with vacuum excavation services, things are not as messy. The equipment for vacuum excavation not only removes debris from the land but also stores it. It has a systematic mechanism for removing debris from the land and a suction nozzle to drop the debris it has picked.

4) Cost Effective

The fact that this method is faster compared to traditional digging itself makes it cost-effective. Vacuum excavation services provide for an accurate and precise outcome thereby, reducing any damage to surrounding utilities and fixtures. With minimum damage to the environment, there are fewer chances of incurring any additional costs. Therefore, this method is cost-effective.

Apart from that, vacuum excavation services can dig into any type of soil including clay, rocky soil or even frozen earth. Hence, it is the most preferred method for excavating underground. If you have been looking for a reputed hydro vac service provider, then get in touch with us at the earliest.

By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

5 Things To Keep In Mind While Hiring A Hydro Excavation Company

A Hydro excavation company is tasked with the non-destructive excavation of a particular piece of terrain. It should be capable of collection and removal of dry and wet waste with efficiency and regularity. Hence, there are several relevant considerations to keep in mind before you decide on a certain hydro excavation company. These considerations keep you relatively safeguarded from future complications that might arise from a faulty choice. These complications could have professional, financial, logistical and moral repercussions for your operations. A few of them include –

1) Quality of Services Provided

It is crucial to be absolutely certain about the quality of services provided by the hydro excavation company that you are planning to hire. One could ascertain the quality of their services by gauging the standard of equipment that they employ for their projects. The quality of trucks at their disposal would directly affect the pace, efficiency and safety standards of your project. Another objective way of assessing the quality of the services provided would be to glance through their customer reviews on their different social media portals.

Hydro Excavation Companies

2) Comparing the Speed of Completion

While choosing between hydro excavation companies is understandably a complicated task, there is a quite straightforward method of making the right choice- comparing the speed with which the different companies can deliver a project. The speed with which a project is completed matters significantly, especially in a time-sensitive trenching project where everything and everybody is on a virtual deadline.

3) Assessing the Past-Records

The past projects of a hydro excavation company are an objective determinant of their capacity. One could compare the scale of their past projects to understand if your project is too large to execute for the particular hydro excavation company. Additionally, it would be fruitful to compare the duration of each companies’ lifespan and selecting an operator based on the experience they bring.

Hydro Excavation Services

4) Considering the Safety Standards

Excavation can be dangerous work, and it would be better to hire a company that takes all the necessary precautions so that there is no danger to the contractors at work. It would be helpful to consider if that hydro excavation company has had any history of fatal incidents in any of their previous projects prior to signing.

5) Evaluating the Pricing Mix

Yes, we are aware that pricing is always going to remain a factor to consider, we were never going to miss this point from our list. We do believe that you should compare the various quotations that you would be receiving from the hydro excavation companies. However, it is important to be wary of a quotation that is significantly lower from the others since that could be the result of a compromise of some sort in the nature of services offered.

Sierra Hydrovac, a leading hydrovac company in Alberta maintains the demand for high safety standards while ensuring the project is completed efficiently on time. In this age of competitive pricing, it would certainly be a good idea to start with a free quote from our experienced representatives.

Industrial-Hydrovac
By Sierrahydrovac_Admin Hydrovac Excavation 0 Comments

Which Industries Could Use A Hydrovac?

Hydrovac, also known as Hydro Excavation in certain circles, is a type of excavation process that involves utilization of pressurized water, injected into the ground in order to soften it. When the solid ground then turns into sludge, the vacuum system draws out the sludge through a hose and into an attached storage truck. This process of excavation is non-destructive (does not disturb the nearby surroundings), and is an increasingly quick means of excavation. Hydro excavation manages to accomplish in hours, what the traditional mechanical excavation (that uses metal claws) managed in days. Industrial hydrovac is now used across several sectors, and is only just starting to get noticed among others. Here are a few industries where industrial hydrovac is commonplace.

Piping Industry

The piping industry is a vast industry and industrial hydrovac has multiple applications within the piping industry itself. Hydrovac is useful when it comes to cleaning pipes of all its contaminants using the vacuum system. Furthermore, since hydrovac is non-destructive and is capable of detecting underground pipelines, it is trusted to excavate the ground when the pipelines are to be altered, reworked, or exposed.

Oil Drilling Industry

The flourishing oil drilling industry in Alberta has a large requirement for industrial hydrovac excavation services. The cold terrain of Alberta is generally very difficult to pierce through, and the fact that hydrovac trucks have a provision for heating the pressurized jets make hydro excavation very popular for the oil drilling industry. Another reason for this popularity would be the fact that it is essential to know exactly where to commence digging and hydrovac trucks are apt at exposing the underground pipelines, thus ensuring the very important sense of direction.

Construction Industry

Construction industries are far more productive due to the increased efficiency of industrial hydrovac. Digging and debris collection is swifter when compared to mechanical excavation, which utilizes metal claws instead, which are harder to direct and control. Constructing tunnels and foundational structures are now relatively less time-consuming.

Mining Industry

Mining industry uses large-scale digging excavation operations, and hydrovac excavation has also been utilized since hydrovac has the potential of digging through the ground at a much faster rate. Hydrovac is capable of excavating several textures of soil and ground, including gravel and clay, which makes it a suitable option for mining purposes as well.

Hydrovac is widely used in these industries as it has many advantages such as being time-efficient (the capacity to excavate at a faster rate) and is surprisingly cost-efficient. Canadians must also consider the fact that hydrovac is capable of excavating cold, hard ground as well. As far as industrial hydrovac is concerned, Sierra Hydrovac is a reliable, trusted partner for your excavation endeavors, as shown by their gallery displaying their projects.