When managing a construction site, there’s a good chance that you will need to locate underground utility lines. A big decision to make is which construction method to use to locate these lines. From backhoes to utility potholing, there are a lot of utility locating services out there.
By far, the most precise method is hydro vacuum excavation. This method is far less invasive than others and uses water pressure to clear away the earth from the utility lines. Not only is this process incredibly accurate, but it is also efficient and cost-effective.
What Can You Expect from Professional Vacuum Excavation?
1 – Efficiency
Time is money, and this is especially true on a construction site. Project timelines have to be met, and potholing utilities can help make this happen.
While some people opt to dig for utility lines by hand because it is a cheap option, it is so time-consuming and labor-intensive that it can actually be more costly in the long run.
Backhoes are another common method used and are certainly efficient. However, the wayward nature of a backhoe can make them difficult to use, which means a utility strike is more likely. When a utility line is struck, it can result in delays while repairs are being carried out.
These are just a few reasons why vacuum excavation is so time-efficient. With a highly-trained team, vacuum excavation takes less time without the risk of a utility line strike or other damage to the construction site. And because less earth is displaced during the process, you can continue other construction work nearby.
2 – Safety
The safety of your workers and the public is of the utmost importance for any construction project. You can expect that our experienced team will keep your construction site safe while carrying out the vacuum excavation.
While you could buy or rent the vacuum excavation equipment, if your team is not adequately trained, it can lead to damage to either the utility lines or the equipment itself. You might also be putting your team at risk, which should never happen.
A utility strike can also cause the surrounding community to lose power. That means important public facilities like hospitals, schools, and police departments won’t be able to function properly. Your construction site will be liable for this disruption and damage, which can mean hefty fines.
Instead of risking it, hire a trained team with years of experience who will quickly and safely excavate your utilities.
3 – Expertise
When you hire a team to carry out hydro vacuum excavation, you can expect them to be highly trained and fully qualified for this work. This is so important when you consider the many risks involved when locating utilities.
The Util-locate team uses a variety of methods and techniques to provide you with the most stress-free and efficient experience. Vacuum excavation is so accurate because it offers visual confirmation of where the utility lines are.
However, before this even happens, you can also take advantage of our utility mapping services. Detailed and accurate maps show everything that might be hiding under the surface: storm drains, gas, water, reclaim, communication, electrical, abandoned, and unknown lines or objects.
Once you have access to a utility map, you can also use Ground Penetration Radar (GPR). GPR uses pulses of energy to provide an impression of where utility lines are located.
Following these techniques, it is still recommended that you carry out vacuum excavation. Visual confirmation will ensure that you know exactly where the utility lines are and removes all risk of accidentally striking a utility line.
4 – Precision
One of the best things you can expect from vacuum excavation is a precise and thorough service. When potholing for utilities, accuracy is the primary and most important goal. You want to confirm exactly where the utility lines are located, and this is only possible through methods of excavation.
As we’ve already discussed, other forms of excavation like backhoes or manual excavation might reveal where the utilities are, but they can be costly and end up damaging the utility lines in the process.
An experienced team will offer you a variety of utility location services. That means accurate mapping, RADAR technology, and hydro vacuum excavation are made available for your construction project.
Hydro vacuum excavation is especially useful because of how it displaces the excavated earth. Typically the earth will be removed into a special container, making removal and disposal a simple and easy process.
5 – Cost-Efficiency
Of course, it is only natural to want to keep costs down so that your construction project can adhere to the projected budget. Vacuum excavation is a great way to prevent unexpected costs that could arise from a utility strike.
There is a good chance that if you damage a utility line, you will either be fined by the local authority or have to pay for extensive and pricey repairs. Costs like this aren’t always factored into the budget for smaller construction projects and can cause serious financial burden and stress.
Utility potholing is also very efficient, which means an estimated timeline for the work is usually very accurate. You won’t have to worry about renting the equipment and hiring a team for longer than expected, saving you both time and money. What’s more, you can continue other construction jobs alongside the excavation so that more work gets done.
The Bottom Line
Potholing for utilities has been proven to be the most accurate method of utility locating. When hiring a professional team, you can expect the process to be straightforward and pain-free. The work will be done efficiently, accurately, and safely, which means your construction project will save both time and money by investing in vacuum excavation.
