Hydrovac-Trucks-Edmonton

Facts You Should Know About Hydrovac

‘Hydrovac’ or ‘Hydro Excavation’ is the only non-destructive method of digging into the soil or ground. This process of excavation includes injecting a forceful stream of pressurized water into the ground to soften it. After that, a vacuum system is used to collect the mixture of soil and water safely into the attached storage tank. Some areas of application include digging into the ground, collecting debris, and discovering underground facilities such as gas lines or pipelines. Here are four facts you might want to know about Hydrovac and its usage.

1. Hydrovac is Non-Destructive

Unlike mechanical excavation that generally uses metal shovels and claws; hydro excavation does not damage the underground facilities since it simply uses pressurized water. There are cases when one might not be certain as to what lies underneath the surface (there is a possibility of having underground pipelines). Standard hydrovac trucks in Edmonton are generally safer bets, as it ensures there is hardly any damage caused due to the digging activities.

2. Hydrovac is Accurate

Hydrovac uses pressurized water, and turns the stiff ground into muck. The direction that is provided during hydro excavation is very precise, yet the flow remains intense. Greater control while using the pressurized jet also results in a more accurate, and precise excavation. This method, thus, is ideal when digging slim lines of trenches and slits without any damage to the area that surrounds it. Gardens and parks often have a drainage problem, making them very valid places that could use some of this precise form of excavation.

3. Hydrovac is Efficient

Another crucial aspect where the incessantly efficient hydrovac trucks in Edmonton outperform their mechanical counterparts is efficiency. It is remarkable what this pressurized stream of water does to solid ground. Rendering the ground loose, this is ideal, since it becomes rather easy for the trucks to use the vacuum system to good effect, to clear the debris without wasting much time. What could take days, hydrovac trucks in Edmonton accomplishes within hours. Furthermore, hydrovac is also cost-efficient since it causes no damage to surrounding areas, preventing wastage of financial resources that go into repair work.

4. Hydrovac is Suitable for Cold Climate

For someone operating in Canada, this is an advantage of gigantic proportions because as excavation service providers already know, it could be very difficult to conduct their digging operations on cold, hard ground. The pressurized water that is used while injecting into the ground is heated since certain hydrovac trucks in Edmonton provide the heating facility as well. This is especially useful for people conducting digging operations in the bitter cold.

Hydrovac services are used for a wide range of activities. You might find this method of excavation particularly helpful if you need to create trenches, testing underground pipeline utilities, Daylighting, direction drill and bore support, and debris clearing. For those in need of quality hydrovac trucks in Edmonton, Sierra Hydrovac is a reliable partner. Contact them for a free quote.

Hydrovac Trucks Edmonton

How Does Hydro Excavation Work?

‘Hydro Excavation’ is the process of soil removal or terrain digging in a certain manner. Hydro excavation uses pressurized water to force its way into the ground, and the debris is generally collected inside of an attached debris storage tank. This allows a non-explosive and comparatively safe means of soil excavation, along with an increased accuracy since it detects underground facilities. Specially designed Hydrovac Trucks are used in order to excavate soil, naturally, these Hydrovac Trucks in Edmonton are in high demand owing to the flourishing oil drilling business.

Hydro excavation has a wide range of applications. This process is used to dig holes in order to install poles and pilings; it is used for debris removal in case of a tunnel collapse, and also to clean up industrial tanks, to name a few areas of application. Hydro excavation is cost-efficient, timely, and accurate all at once.

How Does It Work?

Hydro excavation employs Hydrovac Trucks in order to excavate soil. It works particularly well when used to dig into the chilly Edmonton soil for instance, for the frozen ground is difficult to take apart. The equipment one needs would include: a large water reservoir, a larger debris tank, an 8-inch diameter suction hose attached to a swinging pivot, a cyclone vacuum unit, a high-pressure water system with a wand and an onboard water heater.

Step I

The water wand is inserted into the ground of focus. A highly pressurized stream of water follows, and heavily loosens the ground.

Step II

The slurry mix of soil and water is then sucked in with the help of a vacuum hose. The nature/properties of soil do not matter, the method works with all textures of soil.

Step III

The unwanted debris is safely compressed and stored in the attached storage tank. In case of frozen ground, the water stream is adequately heated up so as to loosen the ground. The innovation works wonders in places like Edmonton, as the Hydrovac Trucks have no problem dealing with ice cold ground.

Did You Know?

The other alternative that firms generally consider is ‘Mechanical Excavation’. Mechanical excavation is the removal of soil or rock with the help of heavy digging or cutting equipment. The problem with Mechanical excavation is that the debris is untidily lumped at the sides while excavating. Furthermore, Hydro Excavation is superior because the underground pipelines or gas lines are safely detected, and are unharmed during the excavation process. Thereby eliminating the time that is wasted dealing with broken underground facilities.

For the cold, temperate Canadian terrain, Hydrovac Trucks serve the excavation process in a better manner as they have the means to loosen the ground using heated streams. Hydro Excavation is a practical option for a wide range of tasks such as laying the groundwork for pipelines, digging trenches, digging test holes for the horizontal boring process, general excavation and debris removal. Edmonton based excavation contractors Sierra Hydrovac offer quality services in a timely fashion. A state such as Alberta with booming oil drilling business would have plenty of scope for Hydrovac Trucks in Edmonton, and Sierra Hydrovac would be pleased to offer you with a free quote if you are to write to them.

Vacuum Excavation Contractors

When and Why Do You Need Hydrovac Excavation?

Hydrovac Excavation is a process of excavating soil/ground using sophisticated industrial methods. Hydrovac excavation involves inserting a water wand into the ground that is supposed to be excavated. The ground then eases up as a heavily pressurized stream of water is let through. The slacking mix of soil and water is then sucked through a vacuum hose and is collected in a storage tank that is generally attached to the truck. Firms in Canada prefer this method of excavation over mechanical excavation, since a pressurized stream of heated water is utilized in order to loosen up the icy cold ground. Naturally, vacuum excavation contractors run successful enterprises.

The alternative to Hydro excavation is generally ‘Mechanical excavation’. Mechanical excavation is the removal of soil or rock with the help of heavy digging or cutting equipment such as tractors.

Applications of Hydrovac Excavation

When should you go for Hydrovac Excavation?

Daylighting

Daylighting is the process of digging a test hole to locate underground facilities such as gas lines and pipelines. Furthermore, Hydrovac excavation is a safe method as none of these facilities are damaged in the process.

Slot Trenching

Slot trenching is the process of digging slim lines into the ground in order to install pipes, cables, and other such underground utilities. Vacuum excavation contractors are preferred over mechanical contractors since it reduces the risk of damaging existing underground facilities.

Debris Removal

Hydrovac excavation is the recommended process for clearing debris in a more sophisticated manner. A high level of accuracy in digging and a large capacity for storing debris in the truck helps.

Cold Weather Excavation

Hydrovac excavation is especially popular in colder regions such as Canada because of how cold the ground surface gets. The cold hardens the ground, making digging or excavation a very difficult task. With hydrovac excavation, you have the option of heating the pressurized water that allows the ground to loosen.

Efficiency of Hydrovac Excavation

Why should you go for Hydrovac Excavation?

Greater Accuracy

Hydrovac excavation is generally preferred over its counterpart mechanical excavation because it is non-destructive. In the sense, the area of excavation is limited to the area of our focus. The surrounding ground is undisturbed, which is something mechanical excavation cannot deliver. Vacuum excavation contractors, then, in this case, manage to edge out the mechanical contractors.

Debris Collection

Mechanical excavation generally does not allow for debris collection. Due to this, debris is placed at the side to be collected at a later date. With Hydrovac excavation, however, the debris is collected adequately, and is disposed of in a suitable manner, since the debris is collected in the attached storage tank. And, this helps to dispose of the debris as you please.

Time-Efficiency

Another advantage of opting for Hydrovac excavation instead of mechanical excavation is that Hydrovac excavation is less time-consuming. Less material is removed from the ground to complete the same task. Furthermore, the time delay caused because of accidentally damaging the underground facilities such as gas lines and pipelines is also eliminated.

Hydrovac excavation, simply put, manages to outclass the process of mechanical excavation by a fair distance, particularly in regions with a colder climate. It is also more time-efficient, cost-efficient, and neater in execution. Sierra Hydrovac is a leading player among the vacuum excavation contractors, and according to their clients, the company has delivered consistently across Alberta.

hydrovac services

Everything you Need to Know About Hydrovac Daylighting

Excavation is an important aspect of several businesses like construction, mining, and oil and gas to name a few. Hydrovac services are site excavation methods that use ‘hydro’ or water power. This excavation process uses pressurized water to remove soil and other materials to expose underground utilities. It is a cost-effective and safe method as it utilizes quality equipment and ensures no underground infrastructures are damaged.

Hydrovac services offered by hydrovac companies are available in different forms depending on the site and excavation needs. One of the popular services is hydrovac daylighting. Read on to find out more about daylighting.

Hydrovac Services – What is Hydrovac daylighting?

The term daylighting describes the process of unearthing and exposing underground utilities and pipelines to the light of day. The unearthing of buried lines was traditionally done by hands using age-old tools. Most recently, air vacuum excavation has been used to bring to surface underground utilities. While the drawbacks of manual digging are understood, air vacuum excavation has its own disadvantages like increased time and effort, reduced productivity, lack of safety, and more.

Hydrovac daylighting is a non-destructive, safe way of excavating, which replaces the traditional system of hand digging and air vacuum excavation.

Where is Hydrovac Daylighting Used?

Hydrovac daylighting is used in a wide range of excavation and cleaning applications like potholing, exposure of buried pipes and cables, culvert cleanouts, service repair pits, trenching pole holes, types of debris removal, tank cleaning, and shoring installations.

Benefits of Hydrovac Daylighting

Traditional methods of unearthing underground pipes and cables came with several drawbacks. Exposing a cable or pipe through these methods could take hours together depending on the depth of the underground utility. Plus, hand digging has also resulted in the damage to utilities. Hydrovac daylighting is comparatively a safe and speedy method. It is used to enhance project safety, increase productivity, and decrease project costs. There are several benefits of using hydrovac daylighting including:

  • Increased Productivity and Safety

This process takes less time and is surrounded by stringent safety standards developed and incorporated by a team of safety experts. Hydrovac companies that offer this service, use quality equipment to make it quick and safe. Plus, the procedure takes less time as compared to traditional methods. Trained professionals, combined with quality products, increases productivity, safety, and also reduces overall project time and cost.

  • Powerful and Flexible

Hydrovac daylighting can be used in areas having limited access or frozen soil. This procedure employs extra-long vacuum and water hoses to allow workers to work 100 feet away from the equipment and excavate up to more than 9m deep. Plus, hydrovac daylighting can be used in any weather condition, soil condition, frozen grounds, and more making it highly versatile.

If you have an excavation project, connect with us to know more about daylighting and our range of other hydrovac services.

Hydrovac Trucks Edmonton

Things To Consider When Choosing A Hydrovac Truck

New age businesses are inclining towards eco-friendly and safe excavation solutions. No doubt, hydrovac excavation is gaining popularity. More and more businesses are implementing this method that uses jets of high-pressure water and vacuum suction to excavate an area. Hydrovac companies use specially built hydrovac trucks to carry out this excavation process.

Hydrovac truck is a vehicle that removes soil using high-pressure water and uses a vacuum hose to clear the resultant slurry and transport it to the debris tank. These trucks are a safe and efficient means of excavation and are applicable to a variety of projects and areas.

The benefits offered by hydrovac excavation will give you every reason to go for the process. However, a thorough understanding of its applications and other factors will allow you to choose right hydrovac trucks in Edmonton for your project.

Applications of Hydrovac Trucks

Hydrovac excavation trucks are used for a variety of projects. Whether you have a construction project, want to inspect an underground utility, conduct repairs in a sensitive area, or dig potholes for installation of poles or telephone lines, you can use hydrovac excavation trucks for many purposes. Besides these, the trucks also help clear sewers, catch basins, drains, and pollutant traps. Since using these trucks keep underground utilities and the surrounding areas out of harm’s way they are preferred over mechanical excavators for most projects.

This clearly shows their versatility for different jobs. Plus, site excavation can be carried out far from the truck. If you have any of these projects, you can utilize hydrovac trucks. However, there are many more factors to be considered before choosing a hydrovac truck.

Additional Factors

Configuration and Capacity

Hydrovac excavation trucks come in different configurations and capacities. Right from water pressure systems to the tanks, all come in different capacities. You will need to choose the one that best fits your job requirements. Heavy duty jobs demand high-pressure water systems. If you want machine downtime, then you can go for trucks with higher tank capacity. This way you will quicken the process by minimizing the time to empty the tank.

Pricing

Your budget is an important aspect that needs to be considered. Large trucks come at a high price. Depending on the job you need to get done, see the ones that fit the needs as well as your budget. For example, a truck with minimum water pressure system of 4000PSI is good for almost all applications. This way you may not need to go for the highest capacity systems.

Safety and Modern Features

Modern hydrovac excavation trucks come with latest technologies and enhanced safety features. This allows you to have an efficient and safe solution at an economical price.

Although you can hire hydrovac trucks in Edmonton, it is advisable to hire hydrovac services for short term projects. These companies utilize latest hydrovac trucks to provide an efficient solution to their clients.

Hydrovac Trucks Edmonton

How Hydrovac Trucks Work

In today’s age where preserving the environment has become a top priority, more and more companies are looking for environment-friendly solutions. Hydrovac excavation is thus becoming a preferred choice in most industries. Hydrovac is an excavation procedure that removes soil and exposes the underground utilities. Unlike the traditional excavating method of hand digging, the process is safe and efficient. This is because, hydrovac excavation uses only jets of water and air vacuum to uncover underground infrastructure.

Hydrovac companies carry out the process using special hydrovac trucks in Edmonton. If you want to know more about how it works, then read on to find out.

How Hydrovac Trucks Work to Carry out the Process?

As mentioned above, hydrovac excavation uses pressurized water and air vacuum. Hydrovac trucks rely on two major components to carry out hydrovac excavation – the high pressure water hose and the suction hose. Apart from these, the trucks also have a high volume storage tank where the soil and debris is transferred. Highly pressurized water is sprayed on the surface to loosen the soil and its particles and turn it to a slurry. The air vacuum hose is used to suck up the liquefied solution, gradually exposing the underground pipes and utilities. Most hydrovac trucks use fan blower air vacuums. This system can move air in large amounts, thus excavating faster. The system is also light, easy to operate and inexpensive.

Powerful hydrovac trucks can excavate up to 60 feet deep. Plus, the trucks can dig areas 600 feet far from its positioning. Hydrovac trucks can be used on any surface type including clay and icy.

Why Should you go for Hydrovac Excavation?

Hydrovac excavation is a safe and efficient way of exposing underground utilities or repairing infrastructure in sensitive areas. The conventional hand digging method used shovels and backhoes that caused harm to pipes and electric poles, damaging the surrounding environment. Plus, the process is long. Hydrovac excavation uses water and air vacuum that are safe and cause no damage to the surrounding environment or buried utilities. Additionally, using hydrovac trucks the job gets done faster. This allows businesses to avail of a cost-effective and safe method of excavation.

Partner with Hydrovac Companies for Effective Solutions

Although you can purchase hydrovac trucks or rent them, it may not be a great solution, especially when one has no knowledge about its systems. Hydrovac companies specialize in hydrovac processes. They use high-end hydrovac trucks and have professional, trained teams to handle a variety of excavation projects. Thus, it is advisable to hire hydrovac service providers.

Sierra hydrovac offers a range of excavation and hydrovac services. If you want to know more about our services, connect with us today.

Hydrovac services

Why Must You Opt For Hydrovac Excavation Services

If you need to excavate an area with sensitive underground utilities, then hydrovac excavation is the best option. Hydrovac is a method of digging an area and removing the soil. The process utilizes highly pressurized water and an air vacuum for excavation purposes.

Hydrovac companies bring a hydrovac truck to your desired location. Highly pressurized water is then released, that meshes the particles in the soil and turns it into a slurry. During the process, an air vacuum hose is also lowered to suck up the soil. Hydrovac companies are called upon for various projects requiring excavation like construction, installation of pipes, poles, and repair of underground utilities.

Unlike traditional excavation methods, hydrovac services are a lot more beneficial. Here are some reasons why you must opt for hydrovac services.

Hydrovac Excavation Is Safe and Non-Destructive

Safety is the biggest concern when working around underground utilities. Traditional methods, like hand digging, saw the usage of shovels and backhoes. One wrong strike of the equipment and you could rupture gas lines and water pipes, causing affecting the surrounding localities and workers in the area. Hydrovac companies utilize pressurized water and air vacuum that eliminates the possibility of damage. Plus, the process can also be carried out efficiently by being stationed a little far from the site. It is a non-destructive and non-mechanic process, which not only ensures the safety of utilities but also prevents labor accidents.

It is a Cost-Effective Excavating Solution

Any business would seek for cost-effective solutions to their problems. Hydrovac is a speedy and safe process for site excavation. Traditional methods of hand-digging took days to expose the underground infrastructure and did not guarantee safety. Hydrovac excavation is faster than conventional digging methods of hand shoveling. Trained labor combined with quality equipment quicken the time and minimize the project costs. Plus, the system is also capable of digging extensively. This provides you with an efficient method of excavation.

It is Flexible and Eco-Friendly

Unlike the age-old excavating processes, hydrovac is applicable on virtually all types of soil. Whether it is clay, or a frozen surface, hydrovac can be used on any type of ground. Furthermore, it can be carried out in areas that are not easily accessible. A hydrovac truck can be placed several feet away from the site to be excavated. This makes it suitable for localities with limited accessibility. The method causes no damage to the underground pipes and utilities. Thus, hydrovac services help in preserving the surrounding landscape.

Considering these benefits, hydrovac services provide you a safe and efficient excavating solution. If you want to know more or wish to opt for hydrovac, connect with us and we’d be happy to help.

indoor excavation hydrovac trucks

Indoor Excavation With Hydrovac Trucks

Ever thought how elevator shafts are made or foundation repairs are done in your building? It is done through a process called indoor excavation. Indoor excavation is a sub-type of the standard hydro excavation process. Hydro excavation is a process in which soil is moved or removed with pressurized hot water. The soil removed is then transferred to a tank using the vacuum. This sophisticated procedure enables excavation with precision in a non-destructive manner. Hence, no underground fixtures are damaged. In cold regions, it becomes difficult to undertake excavation using traditional methods. So hydrovac excavation is preferred instead of conventional hand digging.

Indoor excavation, as the name suggests is done indoors. The work site for indoor excavations could be industrial spaces, rooms, attic, basements, unused property and buildings. Unlike the standard excavation procedure, indoor excavation involves 3 people. One who will stay near the hydrovac truck, while the two other men will work with the pressurized hot water and vacuum hose. Indoor excavation is done using hydrovac trucks, mini excavators, tailor compact excavators, electric excavators, industrial vacuum hoses, and tubes.

Some applications of Indoor excavations are as follows:

  1. To Create Tunnels Under Buildings

Tunneling is a complex process and involves 100% precision. Hydro excavation companies undertake tunneling under apartments. It is usually done for foundation repair companies or to install some underground fixtures. Tunneling is also done for drainage system installation and maintenance.

  1. To Build Elevator Shafts

Elevator shaft repairs involve loosening and removing soil around deteriorated elevator jacks. This is done using pressurized hot water and vacuum. Hydrovac trucks are used for this purpose. Once the soil is loosened and removed, it then becomes easy for contractors to repair the elevator with ease. The excavation process differs from project to project.

  1. Small Space Excavating

Indoor excavation is done to remove large rocks, overgrown bushes and other debris in an unused property. This helps create functional space. With indoor excavation, you can transform your unused property to develop a productive space. This can then be used for various purposes. Mini excavators are used for small space excavation.

  1. Foundation Repairs

You have to do foundation repairs from time to time to ensure the structural strength of your building is intact. Hydro excavation is done to facilitate foundation repairs for contractors and engineers. Indoor excavation is required for concrete footings, installing concrete shafts, for retaining walls, for transmission tower supports, etc.

Sierra Hydrovac undertakes a wide range of excavation and hydrovac services. We are equipped with experienced tradesmen and hi-tech equipment to work in the least disruptive manner possible. You can contact us for a free quote for your excavation project.

Hydrovac Trucks

Why Are Hydrovac Trucks Used For Excavation?

Hydrovac trucks are widely used in the hydro excavation process. It is used to excavate all types of materials such as clay, sand, ice, and gravel. Most excavation professionals are trained to use hydrovac trucks. The unique selling point of hydrovac services is that they make the excavation process non-destructive, smooth, and easy. So no underground fixtures are damaged. It involves the use of pressurized hot water and vacuum to remove unwanted debris from the work site.

Hydrovac trucks have two main components which empower the excavation process. Firstly, it uses high-pressure jets which loosen the material being excavated. Secondly, a very strong vacuum hose pulls out all the debris which is transferred to a large debris holding tank.

These days more and more companies have been trying to reduce their carbon footprint by opting for eco-friendly methods. Hydrovac trucks are safe and cause minimum damage to the work site as opposed to traditional digging. And as mentioned above, no underground fixtures are harmed or damaged in the process. Another advantage of using a hydrovac truck for excavating is that it is faster than other conventional digging methods. This also helps save time and leads to faster project completion. So using hydrovac trucks are in a way the best option for excavation, it is cost-effective, fast, safe and environment-friendly.

Hydrovac trucks are used in various industries such as telecommunications, construction, land-based drilling rigs, oil and gas, utility providers, industrial companies, civil, environmental and electrical/mechanical industries. Hydrovac excavation is heavily used all across Canada since the year 2000.

Hydrovac trucks have multiple applications. Some of them are as follows:

  1. Daylighting

This process is done to ensure on-site safety. Moreover, this process lowers costs and improves productivity. Daylighting involves uncovering and exposing underground utilities to broad daylight.

  1. Trenching

Trenching is one of the most common methods of excavation. There are various types of trenching methods such as box and linear, slot, perimeter and cross and boundary trenching. Different projects require different methods of trenching.

  1. Pipeline and Utility Crossing

This method of excavation is used in congested areas to ensure underground fixtures are not damaged while excavating. It helps in excavating areas near pipeline and utility crossings without destroying them.

  1. Directional Drilling

This form of excavation is done to make gradual underground changes in direction and depth. Excavation professionals at Sierra Hydrovac have been providing directional drilling services for various projects.

  1. Potholing

Potholing is the process of digging a test hole to expose underground facilities. Hydrovac trucks are used to do potholing.

Sierra Hydrovac provides various excavation and hydrovac services. We provide quality and affordable service to our clients. If you are on the lookout for a hydrovac services contractor then contact us to get a free quote.

Applications Hydrovac Services

Different Applications Of Hydrovac Services

Hydrovac is the process of hydro excavation. It is a non-destructive process of digging using pressurized water. Non-destructive because hydrovac service providers ensure that none of the underground fixtures such as pipelines and underground infrastructures get damaged during the excavation process. Service providers like Sierra Hydrovac use high-quality equipment for all their hydrovac services. We use Hydrovac excavation trucks, track-and-mini-hoes, and skid-steers. Strict and safe procedures are used to get the work done effectively and efficiently. There are various applications of Hydrovac services such as trenching, pipeline and utility crossing, daylighting, directional drill and bore support.

Trenching

This is a common method of excavation. A trench is a narrow underground excavation tool that is deeper than is wide. Trenches are created to either install underground infrastructures such as gas lines, water pipes, water mains and telephone lines or to access these fixtures. There are various types of trenching methods such as slot, perimeter, cross and exploratory, box and linear trenching.

Pipeline and Utility Crossing

These type of excavations are usually done to repair underground utilities. Performing excavation in areas where there are many pipelines and utility crossings can be extremely tricky. It requires sophisticated equipment and a good level of expertise to do the job. Sierra Hydrovac services undertake these type of excavations. They provide easy and quick excavation services.

Daylighting

Hydrovac daylighting is used to safely expose the underground utilities and infrastructure to daylight. This type of excavation is done to reduce costs, improve safety and most importantly to increase productivity because during the day it is easier to finish the maximum amount of work. Hydrovac daylighting has replaced the techniques of hand digging and air vacuuming.

Directional Drilling and Bore Support

“Directional drilling is the science of deviating a wellbore along a planned path to a target located at a given lateral distance and direction from vertical.” It has multiple applications such as side tracking, straight hole drilling, controlled directional drilling, drilling sand with a single wellbore to reach inaccessible locations, fault drilling, to drill salt dome region, relief well, drilling horizontal wells, drilling multilateral wells and extended reach drilling.


All applications of Hydrovac services can be handled by Sierra Hydrovac. We provide you with the best hydrovac solutions at affordable prices.