Hydro Excavation

Our specialized hydro excavation process combines two powerful technologies:

1. Pressurized Water: Controlled high-pressure water streams break up soil and other materials without damaging rigid objects like pipes and cables
2. Powerful Vacuum: Industrial-strength vacuum systems simultaneously remove the water/soil slurry into a debris tank
3. Precise Control: Trained operators carefully manage pressure, flow, and vacuum for optimal results
4. Contained Process: All excavated material is collected in the truck's tank for proper disposal or reuse

Hydro excavation offers significant advantages for many applications:

• Superior Safety: Virtually eliminates the risk of damaging underground utilities
• Enhanced Precision: Creates clean, well-defined excavations of exact dimensions
• Reduced Impact: Minimizes surface disruption and restoration requirements
• Greater Efficiency: Often 4x faster than hand digging in complex areas
• All-Weather Capability: Works in frozen ground with heated water systems
• Versatile Applications: Effective across diverse soil types and project requirements
• Environmental Responsibility: Contains all excavated material for proper management

Safe, non-destructive exposure of underground infrastructure:

• Utility verification before construction or excavation
• Precise pothole excavation for visual confirmation
• Depth and location documentation of utilities
• Multiple utility exposure for comprehensive mapping
• Service line identification and tracing
• Conflict investigation before construction begins
• Emergency utility location for urgent repairs

Creating accurate, clean trenches for various applications:

• Linear utility installation trenches in congested areas
• Narrow slot trenching with minimal surface disruption
• Service line installation pathways
• Clean trench walls for proper utility bedding
• Irrigation and drainage system installation
• Conduit pathway excavation for electrical and communications
• Precise depth control for grade-sensitive applications

Unique excavation solutions for challenging situations:

• Interior excavation within buildings
• Confined space digging where equipment access is limited
• Remote location work with extended hose reach
• Underground tank and vault access
• Excavation through frozen ground
• Controlled material removal in contaminated areas
• Precision excavation for detailed work

Essential safety measures before breaking ground:

• Visual confirmation of marked utilities
• Utility depth determination for crossing planning
• Material and size verification of existing infrastructure
• Multiple crossing point verification
• Accurate mapping of complex utility corridors
• Service line tracing to connection points
• Documentation for project planning and safety

Enhancing safety for utility operations:

• Electric utilities protecting existing infrastructure
• Telecommunications companies installing new lines
• Gas utility contractors working in high-risk environments
• Water and sewer departments performing maintenance
• Pipeline companies accessing buried assets
• Utility locating services verifying positions
• Fiber optic installers creating pathways

Our investment in technology ensures superior results:

• Modern hydro excavation trucks with optimal capabilities
• Heated water systems for year-round operation
• Extended reach capability for difficult access areas
• Precise control systems for operator accuracy
• Remote operation capability for confined spaces
• High-efficiency vacuum systems for productive operation
• Debris filtering and management systems

Our regional knowledge provides significant advantages:

• Familiarity with Western North Carolina soil conditions
• Understanding of local utility systems and standards
• Knowledge of mountain terrain challenges
• Awareness of frost depth and seasonal conditions
• Relationships with local utility providers
• Experience with municipal permitting requirements
• Rapid response throughout our service area

Protecting lives, infrastructure, and property:

• Virtually eliminates utility strike risks
• Prevents damage to unmarked or mismarked utilities
• Avoids service interruptions to critical infrastructure
• Reduces workplace injuries associated with traditional excavation
• Minimizes liability exposure from excavation incidents
• Provides visual verification of utility locations
• Creates controlled, stable excavation areas

Hydro excavation is essential when:

• Working near marked underground utilities
• Excavating in areas with unknown or poorly documented infrastructure
• Digging near high-consequence utilities (gas, electrical, fiber optic)
• Working in utility-congested corridors with multiple crossings
• Excavating near critical facilities that cannot experience interruption
• Creating access for emergency repairs around other utilities
• Performing work in historically sensitive areas

Consider hydro excavation when accuracy is critical:

• Exposing utilities for precise mapping and measurement
• Creating excavations with specific dimensions
• Working in tight spaces with minimal clearance
• Preparing holes for engineered backfill
• Excavating to specific depths for grade-sensitive applications
• Creating vertical walls and clean corners
• Performing work requiring minimal site disruption

Hydro excavation excels in difficult situations:

• Frozen ground during winter months
• Rocky or heavily compacted soil
• Excavating through road base or under pavement
• Working where mechanical excavation access is limited
• Sites requiring reduced noise and vibration
• Areas where excavated material must be fully contained
• Locations where dust and disturbance must be minimized

Our hydro excavation equipment operates effectively in most weather conditions. For cold weather, we use heated water systems to excavate through frozen ground. During rainy conditions, we can continue working as the vacuum system is designed to handle water. Extreme cold below 0°F may require additional heating measures, and lightning storms may temporarily halt operations for safety.

Hydro excavation is versatile in terms of excavation dimensions. We commonly create small potholes (1-2 feet diameter) for utility verification, trenches ranging from 6 inches to 4 feet wide for various applications, and larger excavations up to 20x20 feet for access or foundation work. Depth capabilities typically extend to 20-30 feet depending on soil conditions.

Hydro excavation works effectively in most soil types found in Western North Carolina, including clay, loam, sand, gravel, and even rocky conditions. For extremely rocky terrain or hardpan, we adjust water pressure and techniques accordingly. The only conditions that might limit effectiveness are solid rock formations, which may require supplemental methods.

The water/soil slurry is collected in the hydro excavation truck's debris tank. Depending on project requirements, this material can be: transported offsite for proper disposal, allowed to settle for water separation and potential reuse as backfill, processed onsite in certain situations, or managed according to specific requirements for contaminated soils when necessary.

For planned projects, we recommend scheduling 3-5 business days in advance to ensure availability, though we can sometimes accommodate shorter notice depending on our schedule. For emergency utility exposure or repair situations, we prioritize response and can typically mobilize within 24 hours throughout our service area, often same-day for critical situations in the Asheville metro area.