What are the limitations of Hydrovac Excavation Services?

Hydrovac excavation provides a safer, more cost-efficient alternative to traditional excavation. As opposed to digging with heavy backhoes and equipment, hydrovac utilizes a high-pressure water system to break up soil and rocks. The remaining slurry is then vacuumed into a holding tank, safely exposing underground lines and utilities. Mr. Mike’s Plumbing and Drain Cleaning is one of the few companies that offers hydrovac excavation services in Calgary.  

There are many advantages to using hydrovac excavation over other methods. Hydrovac excavation dramatically reduces the risk of breaking underground pipes or fixtures, which is the number one risk of traditional excavation through digging. A broken pipe can lead to serious issues and costly delays for your construction project. Since hydrovac excavation is very precise and time efficient, it tends to be more cost-efficient. Hydrovac excavation is a safer, more environmentally friendly option for digging. Another form of excavation, known as airvac, uses a similar method but utilizes compressed air instead of water to break up the dirt. Hydrovac still has many advantages over airvac, leading it to become one of the most popular forms of excavation.

That being said, hydrovac excavation does come with its own set of limitations. So what are the limitations of hydrovac excavation services?

• Larger trucks – Hydrovac excavation requires larger trucks that can handle the volume and weight of water. These trucks often have both a debris tank (to hold the slurry) as well as a tank for clean water, used to clean the debris tank after the slurry has been deposited. Large trucks can be difficult to maneuver through high-traffic areas.

• Water – There are a few disadvantages to using water over air for excavation. Since hydrovac excavation is limited to the supply of water in the unit’s holding tank, once that supply is exhausted, the tank must be refilled before the project can continue. If there is a large distance between the worksite and the nearest source of water, this can be a timely issue. Airvac excavation allows the excavated material to be dumped back onsite. Since using water to break up the ground produces a liquefied soil slurry, the dirt can not be replaced at the job site. The debris needs to be carried away and dumped at a predetermined location, and new fill will need to be procured. One other drawback to using water is that if the water pressure is not correctly adjusted, it can cut through underground cables and damage pipelines. However, the risk of damage with hydrovac is still far lower than withdigging.

• Safety – While hydrovac excavation is one of the safest methods of excavation, it comes with its own specific safety concerns. Proper precautions need to be taken when working near overhead lines, especially when the truck’s boom is in use or when repositioning the truck. Since water is a conductor of electricity, there is a risk of electrocution around certain utilities, such as electric or gas lines, which could lead to injury and even death. These buried lines must be located before starting the excavation, and the truck’s components should be composed of material that restricts the flow of electricity. As with any construction project, following the proper safety protocols is of utmost importance in order to minimize the risk of injuries and workplace accidents. 

Any form of excavation comes with unique advantages and disadvantages, and hydrovac excavation is no exception. In general, hydrovac is safer and more efficient than other excavation techniques. Mr. Mike’s Plumbing is proud to employ highly trained excavators. Don’t hesitate to call to discuss your specific excavation needs.