Ever heard of vacuum excavation? We thought not – but it’s about time you did, as this handy excavation method is a game changer when it comes to safe and efficient digging.
Here’s what you need to know.
So, what exactly is vacuum excavation?
If you’ve ever tried to dig something up or out of the ground, you’ll know that it can be an arduous and challenging task, often involving manual hand digging or abrasive excavation methods such as traditional hydraulic excavators. Plus, it often comes with the risk of striking (and damaging) a wire, pipe or utility that you really didn’t want to hit.
That’s where vacuum excavation comes in.
Vacuum excavation is a non-invasive, non-mechanical method of excavation, and is known as a ‘soft dig’ process. That’s because it’s a safer, lower risk alternative to the traditional excavation methods, and allows you to excavate an area with a very small risk of personal injury or property damage.
Vacuum excavation has developed since the 1950s, and has become a regular feature of construction projects nowadays, with improved performance and new applications of the technology.
How it works
Vacuum excavation works by using highly pressurised water and an industrial-level vacuum application to remove soil and debris from the ground. The process begins when high-pressure water is injected into a hole in the ground. It essentially breaks up the soil, adds water to liquify the dirt and then uses suction to vacuum up the dirt slurry into a tank. It’s an ingenious method of non-destructive drilling that’s extremely useful in a wide variety of situations.
Once extracted from the ground, the resulting mixture of soil, rocks, organic matter and water is transferred to a specially designed tank, and can be used when dry to re-fill the hole, or it can be transported elsewhere to be used in a different place.
Advantages of vacuum excavation
Vacuum excavation is the safest, quickest, most intelligent and most economical method of excavation – a pretty big wrap for a way of digging something up! It’s become an extremely popular and widely used method of digging, used in civil engineering, road and highway construction, railway construction, telecommunications industries and in countless other situations that require the soil to be excavated safely.
The benefits of using the vacuum excavation process include:
- Elimination of the risk of utility strikes – any underlying utility services won’t be damaged, as the pressure of the water and the vacuum are not powerful enough to cause a problem. This is hugely important, as location markings for pipes and utilities are only estimates, and exact locations can vary.
- Reduction of the amount of equipment and manual labour required to complete the job.
- Minimisation of traffic disruption.
- Excellent precision and control.
- It’s extremely safe.
- Speed – it’s a much faster process than traditional methods.
- Reduction in the noise and disruption to the surrounding area.
- Reduction in the number of machine vibrations that can lead to damage.
- Reduction in health risks to workers.
- It’s a low impact, non-destructive technology.
- Reduction in reinstatement costs.
- Reduction in dust contamination and soil disturbance.
- Vacuum excavation machines have excellent manoeuvrability and can work easily in limited access areas.
- The process requires well-trained and certified operators, which helps improve project outcomes and reduce the risk of problems.
What can be excavated with this technique?
Vacuum excavation can be used in a wide variety of industries, including:
- Construction
- Railways
- Highways
- Civil engineering
- Utilities
- Telecommunications
This technique can be used to access buried assets so they can be repaired or replaced, to remove soil or debris from an area, to dig holes or trenches for construction work or utility installation, to clean pits or drains, for site preparation or for maintenance and repair works. Vacuum excavation is advantageous in situations where traditional methods would be destructive or impractical, or in small, tight areas where access for machinery would be a problem.
Are there any circumstances where vacuum excavation can’t be used?
Vacuum excavation is very versatile and can be used in most situations and locations. However, traditional excavators can’t work through hard bedrock, as the water pressure isn’t strong enough to break through hard material like rock. The rock will usually need to be broken up with another methods (such as a jackhammer) before vacuum excavation can be used.
Vacuum excavation also can’t be used to clean up hazardous waste like oil or chemicals.
Is vacuum excavation expensive?
Although there may be an initial higher outlay, when you consider the speed and efficiency of vacuum excavation, it’s actually quite a cost-effective technique. Cost will depend on the size and scope of your project though, so it’s best to get in contact with us for a specific quote on your job: https://www.heritagetreecare.com.au/contact-us/
How does it benefit the environment?
Vacuum excavation produces less pollution for both the air and any nearby waterways, and is less disruptive to the local environment.
Are there any downsides?
The cost can be a drawback for some people, as the process requires specific machinery and trained operators – but so do all construction projects. But for many, the cost is offset by the savings in time and effort, the increase in safety and the reduction of risk. It can’t be used in rocky or compacted soils, has limitations in depth and reach, and can be noisy (although this is also true for traditional excavation methods). However, vacuum excavation is a much smarter, safer, easier, lower-risk, and environmentally responsible way of excavating the ground when compared to traditional techniques There are few downsides – and most can be mitigated with careful planning.
Vacuum excavation – the better alternative
Vacuum excavation is an innovative and safer approach to digging that’s non-destructive, extremely effective, and very convenient. It’s becoming increasingly popular in a wide variety of industries, due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
For a Professional Vacuum Excavation Service in the Brisbane, Redlands, Ipswich, Logan or Toowoomba areas, please call us on 1800 353 053 OR (07) 3715 5444 for a free quote today, or get in contact here: https://www.heritagetreecare.com.au/contact-us/