Monday, October 7, 2013

Which Non-destructive Excavation Method should you Use


Non-destructive excavation has gained popularity and is more widely used in construction projects these days because of several reasons. First, it is a safe way to do diggings and excavations. It is safe for the workers as well as safe for the people within the surroundings. The reason for this is that non-destructive excavation is not as risky as mechanical digging. The utilities and assets that are buried underground are safe from damage. If electric cables get cut while excavating, power outage can ensue or someone can get electrocuted. A burst gas pipe can cause an explosion. These are some things that can be avoided when using non-destructive excavation methods.

Another reason is that it more cost efficient. It does not require many machines or workers. The projects are also done in a shorter period of time. The excavation is also more precise. It does not require back jobs.

There are two methods that non-destructive excavation can be achieved. These are hydro excavation and air vacuum excavation.

Hydro excavation uses water as the main component. High pressure water is used to break the ground and loosen the soil and other earth materials. The mud that is created as well as other debris is then vacuumed out using a special nozzle which is stored in a special holding tank. Hydro excavation can be used on just about any type of soil. It can even be used on frozen ground using hot water. The downside is that it needs thousands of litres of water just to be able to do the excavation.  Not all areas have an available water source that can spare this amount of water. It can also get messy and dangerous because of the slippery mud.

Air vacuum excavation on the other hand uses high pressure air to break the ground and loosen the soil. A special nozzle then suck out all the dry materials using a vacuum which is then stored in a holding tank. The materials that are stored can readily be used for back filling jobs if needed. The downside of this method is that it cannot be used for all soil types. Frozen ground is something that the high pressure air cannot break into. It can also make the area dusty.

The method that is recommended because it is cheaper more easily available is air vacuum excavation. It also does a cleaner job because it leaves the area dry. However, it may depend also on the type of soil that your property has.

Whichever method you choose, you still get all the good benefits from it. Both methods are still better to the conventional mechanical digging which can be risky and dangerous. If you want to know what method can be used for your area, you can get in touch with companies that provide non-destructive excavation services. They will be able to tell you what can be used. While you are at it, you can also ask for a quotation so you know the costs.

Looking for non destructive digging services? We here at Yunz Contracting can help. Just visit our site to find out more. 

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the information! I'm interested in non-destructive digging in construction for sure. How can I raise awareness in my community for civil contractors to know as well? I want all roads to be built this way.

    Jenn | http://www.sharpebros.com.au

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