What Is Hydro Vacuum Excavation?

Hydro Excavation is a two-part process and is a form of non-destructive digging, also known as NDD. 

First part – the excavation system sprays high-pressure water at the surface material, breaking it apart and down as it mixes with the water. 

The second part applies high-volume vacuum suction to suck up the water and ground material broken apart from the first stage process into collection tanks on the truck. 

This combined process ensures the ground assets are located and preserved in good order.

Used for:

  • Confined Digging
  • Utility Servicing & Repairs
  • Utility Mains - Gas, Water, Electricity
  • Tree roots
  • Debris & Rubbish Removal
  • Piling
  • Trenching
  • Pipe Cleaning
  • Sewage Cleaning
  • Degreasing
  • Environmental Recovery
  • Mining

How Does a Hydrovac Truck Work?

A vacuum excavation truck, also known as a vac truck or hydrovac truck, uses a combination of high-pressure water and powerful suction to safely remove soil and debris, primarily for exposing underground utilities. This non-destructive method minimizes the risk of damaging buried infrastructure compared to traditional excavation.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

High-Pressure Water

A high-pressure waterjet breaks up the soil and other materials.

Powerful Suction

A powerful vacuum system then sucks up the loosened debris and water into a holding tank on the truck.

Debris Removal

The debris, including soil, rocks, and water, is stored in a debris tank on the truck, which is then transported for disposal or treatment.

Non-Destructive Excavation

This method is considered non-destructive because it minimizes the risk of damaging underground utilities like cables and pipes.

Common Uses

Vacuum excavation trucks are commonly used for utility locating, potholing, trenching, and debris removal in construction, landscaping, and infrastructure projects.
Not sure if it’s the right fit for your project? Give us a call today and we’ll work through your project brief and share some examples of similar past works to ensure that this is the solution for you.
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Why Hydro Vacuum Excavation Is Preferred!

Hydro Excavation is the safest way to excavate when working close to mains power, sewage, telecommunication and fibre optic lines. This minimises any damage, causing a mass outage and expensive damage to any service. 

Using Hydro Vacuum Excavation to excavate an area provides the ability to work in a safe manner and expose services without causing any damage.

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