Hydro excavation has been around for only a couple of years, but it is fast becoming one of the most preferred methods of excavation used by construction and engineering companies. The way it works is very similar to water jets; water is pressurized inside the tank of a vacuum truck, and it is then released through a narrow nozzle, this creates a stream of water that has enough power to cut through the dirt with ease. The loosened dirt and gravel is then suctioned back into the vacuum truck’s tank by reversing the pressure.
There are so many applications and benefits to using hydro excavation that a lot of companies all over Sydney, Wollongong, and in the other neighboring towns have started providing this kind of service. To find out more about this revolutionary method of excavation, here are some of its applications and benefits.
Applications
There are many instances wherein hydro excavation may be the best choice for digging. One is when there is a huge concern about damage to property. If the project requires an excavation be done beside a historic structure, like a monument, or a really old house, using heavy machinery can be quite a problem because they are not the most delicate tools in the world, and digging by hand can waste a lot of time and money.
The best choice here is to use hydro excavating procedures because the water pressure can be decreased just enough so that it can still loosen up dirt and debris, but will not cause any kind of damage to the surrounding structures. Using hydro excavation methods is also ideal there is a need for exposing utility pipes and cables buried underground.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the benefits of using hydro excavating equipment is that it is relatively cleaner than traditional digging methods, which is an advantage if the excavation project takes place in a crowded area because the water will not kick up large dust clouds into the air.
The variable intensity settings of the water jet is also great for when you need precision digging, like around utility lines or besides important landmarks and monuments.
But there are some disadvantages to using this method of excavation, the biggest is that you can only use hydro excavation if the project is not that large because the tanks of vacuum trucks can only hold so much loose soil and water; so using this method to dig up large holes like for footings and foundations of structures is not that viable, at least not yet; so for the meantime, for large excavation projects, heavy machinery is still required.
In Closing…
Hydro excavation has certainly caught the attention of a lot of people in the engineering and construction industry. Although it does have its share of shortcomings, hydro excavating will certainly become a force to be reckoned with after some more time has passed because the this technology is continuously improved.
If you are interested in hydro excavating and would want to learn more, then you should contact us; we would gladly answer any question that you might have.
Absolute Locating Services
38 Thorn St Pennant Hills, NSW, 2120, Australia
0425 257 142, (02) 9939 6978
andrew@absolutelocating.com.au
