Vacuum excavation is digging by using a vacuum to break apart material with high-pressure water or air. Vacuum excavation is also referred to as soft digging, hydro excavation, air excavation, remote excavation and preventive excavation. It is a non-mechanical, non-destructive process that excavates and evacuate soil and natural debris at a controlled rate. The soil travels through a wide, flexible hose to a truck-mounted debris tank – which can be parked hundreds of feet from the dig site to minimize congestion and additional surface damage.
Vacuum excavation’s razor-like precision is considered “preventive excavation” because it disrupts less ground while searching and finding underground utilities and infrastructure … making it possible to limit the scope – and invasiveness – of traditional excavation methods. And ultimately, this can lower the excavation cost. This process allows for quick, clean and precise excavation that require less backfill, less labor force, less restoration, and less environmental impact.
With vacuum excavation, companies have a safer way to expose utilities with both hydro and air excavation. When it comes to Ecotech’s high-powered trucks, they have the capability to use both air and water excavation—and can switch between the two quite easily. At Ecotech, the safety of our employees, clients, the public, and the environment is a top priority. Whether you choose air or water excavation for your current job site, Ecotech has the capability to complete the job. And, best of all, both methods virtually eliminate accidental hits to underground utilities.
