Non-destructive Excavation: Hydro Excavation Method

Non-destructive excavation technology has become an important technology that is used in many industry applications these days. This is because non-destructive excavation makes it possible for the digging, excavation or exposure of underground utilities without the risk of doing damage or destruction.

Hydro excavation is a method used to in non-destructive excavation technology. This method is non-mechanical. Highly pressurized water is used to break into the ground and excavate the soil materials, rocks and other debris. As this is done, an industrial strength vacuum simultaneously sucks out all the mud, water slurry and debris to be stored in a special holding tank. The main component which is water is safe to use around the assets and utilities underground. There is very little danger that gas pipes, water pipes, electric cables, telecommunication lines, sewer systems and the like can be damaged.

It is precisely called as non-destructive excavation because unlike mechanical or manual excavation, it will not cause damage to those utilities it may reach. The reason for this is that manual or mechanical excavation uses materials, machines and equipment that may have sharp edges or too much pressure. Hydro excavation can also do the job in a more precise way that will require less back fill or back job. The process is safe and fast. It does not use a lot of equipment which means it require less workers to operate it and it can be used in smaller areas with limited space to move around in. Hydro excavation is also environmentally friendly.

Here are some examples where the hydro excavation method as a means of non-destructive excavation can be used:

·         Potholing or Daylighting- this process is usually done for installation of signs, telecommunication poles, light posts, fences and the like.

·         Slot trenching- hydro excavation makes it possible to create narrow trenches that are needed for the installation of pipes, cables, and other in-ground utilities. Hydro excavation can be used even if the ground is frozen. The water used is heated. This non-destructive excavation method makes installation of sprinklers, location of underground utilities and other underground installation easy and safe.

·         Removal of Debris- hydro excavation is the best method to use to for catch basin cleaning, cleaning of spills and sludge removal. This will make sure that the surrounding area will not be damaged.

·         Remote digging- When there is a remote area where repairs on buried pipes, fiber optic cables and the like are needed, hydro excavation can be used. The equipment used can be located farther from the actual site to make sure that there is no damage done on the actual site. Restoration work is minimized or avoided.

The different advantages and uses of hydro excavation just proves the importance of the non-destructive excavation technology.  This does all the functions of mechanical or manual digging in a safer and more cost-effective way. It is no wonder that this technology is slowly starting to take the place of the traditional way of digging. More and more people are starting to see the need to switch to non-destructive excavation.

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

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. 

Vacuum Excavation Mitigates Risks, Prevents Costly Damages

Following the building boom many years ago came the need to lay down pipes and cable wires underground in what civil works contractors claimed as a move to protect such utilities from aboveground damage. They bury such utilities to protect against ‘human error’, weather elements and other occurrences that can come as damaging contact with the utilities. However, there has been reported much damage to underground facilities. Many miles of pipes and cables became vulnerable to damage as construction companies dig the earth. These utilities are then exposed to possible hazards which could result to multi-million damages.

To prevent damages to the utilities or hazards that could result from damaging them, construction industry leaders need to implement best practice policies with regards to excavation works. For this, they need to adopt safe excavation procedures, one of which is vacuum excavation, a non-destructive digging method. Vacuum excavation is fast becoming a preferred digging and trenching method in construction site excavation. Along with other non-destructive excavation and potholing methods, vacuum excavation is a recognised safe practice in all states.

The construction industry would like to see a hazard-proof excavation or utility location, which vacuum excavation makes possible especially in areas inaccessible to huge earthmoving equipment. In lieu of mechanical tools or equipment, a vacuum excavator truck is utilised to break up the ground or surface with pressurised water or air. With a vacuum hose, the excavator can pull out the dirt and debris and convey it to a storage tank which is mounted on the truck for later backfilling or disposal. The use of controlled and pressurised jets of water or air is indeed safer than backhoes, pole punchers and other equipment, and faster than shovels, augers and other hand-held tools to locate and expose any underground utility.

Vacuum excavation allows workers to work safely around water pipes, gas lines, electric cables, fibre optic lines and other utilities, uncovering them without striking and damaging them. On the economical aspects, this non-destructive digging method can help prevent primary consequences resulting from the strikes:

• Power outages
• Utility service interruption
• Disruption of essential services including hospitals and airports
• Gushing water
• Fire and explosion risks
• Business losses
• Traffic congestion

However, the secondary consequences from damaging underground utilities include:

• Death and injury – Workers expose themselves to potential injury or death when they strike dangerous utilities like gas pipes and electric cables.
• Criminal liability – Contractors could be facing charges for exposing their workers to hazards.
• Environmental pollution – This results from hitting gas lines and damaging sewerage systems.
• Financial liability – Utility service providers will seek damages from construction companies.
• Project delays – As contractors seek to answer to authorities and affected utility providers and pay compensation for affected workers, works get suspended temporarily.
• Financial trouble – Contractors need to pay for damages and compensate workers, not to mention experiencing greater losses over the delay of work.

Certain utilities are buried to prevent damages on them. Likewise, as we uncover them, we then expose them to potential damages. So as to avoid costly hazards and its consequences, contractors should look into non-destructive digging methods, one of which is vacuum excavation.

Are you in need of a non-destructivedigging contractor? Contact Yunz Contracting today for service.