Excavac Articles

Clean, precise and cost efficient

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 23:25:34 GMT

Perfect around underground utilities

With the drought biting hard and current water restrictions in place, clean and precise excavation work through non-destructive services is now more relevant than ever.

Perfect for the removal of soil around underground utilities, while eliminating the risk of damage to existing underground utilities and services vacuum units can be used as a safe way to access and remove unwanted materials from just about any building, public works or mining site.

Whether it’s

Excavation of power and street light poles
Exposure of underground utilities/ services before excavation
Service proving trenches
Service proving potholes
Pole and post hole digging
Excavation around tree roots
Pit cleaning and maintenance

NDD services can be conducted near and around water networks, telecommunications, power or gas lines with minimal risk while offering the confidence that your project can proceed according to schedule.

With stringent environmental control standards, leading occupational health and safety management systems and the highest level of commitment to delivering integrated environmental waste solutions.

Recognised by gas, power, rail, and construction companies as one of the safest methods of excavating soil when it comes to protecting underground services or assets NDD is twice as fast as using mechanical excavators, saving time and money.

When it comes to work around confined spaces, we also have experienced personnel operating our vacuum recovery unit tankers for applications such as

Liquids/solid disposal or recycling
Removal of heavy drill slurry from slurry tanks
Deep pulls such as shafts and pump stations

Think we could be of use? Contact our professional staff who can answer all your questions and if required arrange a site visit.

For more information on NDD services contact us today by phone or email .

A waste of no-one’s time . . .

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 22:24:02 GMT

Disposal of waste can be risky

When it comes to environmental degradation failure to dispose of the waste properly carries not only a risk to the environment but to workers and the public.

It is the concentration of the substances discharged, and their total mass that creates an issue – and can often pose a health and safety risk – and can bring with it fines to operators.

High performance non-destructive equipment makes pit cleaning quick and easy. Hydro vacuum cleaning of electrical and communication pits is generally viewed as the only practical way of cleaning them properly.

Whether it’s public faculties, shopping centres, large industrial sites, rental properties or renovation works, programmed maintenance offers a simple solution to avoiding often complex problems later on.

Hydro vacuum cleaning is not only efficient, but cost effective and can be employed when it comes to;

Removing waste
Sewer, stormwater drain and pipe cleaning
Cleaning pits
Liquid removal
Tank and vessel cleaning
Emergency spill situations
Scheduled maintenance shut downs

Vacuum and pit clearing trucks are also used in the petroleum industry, for cleaning of storage tanks and spills, while they’re also virtually a mandatory requirement in today’s professional and social environment when it comes to removing drilling mud, drilling cuttings, cement, spills, and brine water from production tanks.

Sustainability and rethinking how we treat waste helps to preserve the environment for everyone by delivering efficient, safe and technologically responsible water, waste and energy solutions.

For more information on vacuum and pit clearing trucks contact us today by phone or email .

Complex challenges for builders

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:40:03 GMT

The risk is simply not worth it

With a complex network of over 22,000km of water mains stretched across Sydney (about two-thirds of these assets are buried) there are significant challenges for builders, construction companies and infrastructure developers.

Sydney Water spends up to $90 million a year on water main renewals alone, while the costs involved in repairs is also increasing.

When you also consider the Australian water industry owns and operates assets with a combined value of over $160 billion, with 220 urban water authorities supplying water to over 20 million people and employing over 31,000 people, the time, expense and inconvenience caused by using traditional heavy machinery when it comes to subterranean work can be substantial.

With over a dozen key infrastructure projects in metro and regional areas currently underway, including Sydney’s Rail Future, investment in the construction and civil sectors is virtually unprecedented.

A number of the technologies including non destructive excavation have now been adopted in a “business as usual” outlook by many in order to minimise the impact on the environment, and is widely regarded as the ‘go to’ method when it comes to both large scale & domestic projects.

Gas, water, sewerage, electricity and communications subsurface utilities pose a threat when it comes to all building and excavation work, and it is critical to efficiently locate relevant infrastructure before any work on site is commenced.

Today, the majority of utility providers require contractors to prove the existence and location of the utility, with some insisting the utility to be fully exposed before works start.

‘Dial Before You Dig’ recommends the use of non-destructive excavation as the best practice method to identify, locate and protect any subsurface utility.

Underground gas lines, communications and publicity owned utilities are usually a maze of cables and infrastructure that ‘in the main’ are poorly mapped.

The risk is simply not worth it.

For more information on non-destructive excavation and more contact us today by phone or email .

Sometimes You Need to Dig Deep

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 02:06:22 GMT

Cost effective, minimal damage hydro excavation

While big business, mining companies and local councils are well versed in purposes of vacuum trucks, builders, developers and even members of the general public may not know of their potential value.

While ‘vac’ trucks have traditionally been employed to take on tasks such as emptying septic tanks and cleaning sewer pipes for proper preventive maintenance, one of the latest applications of vacuum trucks is hydro excavation.

Putting things simply, this involves high-pressure water jets doing the work of heavy machinery by excavating to subterranean levels before an industrial vacuum hose pulls the debris into the tanks.

The technology can (and has been used) in emergency situations, especially when spillage issues are involved.

Industrial vacuum trucks and trailer-mounted units are categorised into a range of debris tank-equipped machines.

Combination sewer cleaning, hydro excavation, and industrial vacuum units are all considered to be industrial vacuum trucks and are characterised by high-pressure water and powerful vacuum systems that are designed to take on the toughest jobs.

A growing trend throughout Australia is the use of industrial vacuum trucks on the construction site, where excavation trucks are ideal for precise excavation and underground utility daylighting.

Performing hydro excavation with these units – is more precise and cost-effective and does not cause damage to underground utilities, a common occurrence with traditional excavation equipment.

Other uses of this type of industrial vacuum truck in construction includes soil trenching, removal of debris, cold weather digging and piling hole excavation.

There’s no thrills in spills

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 06:59:46 GMT

We can clean-up just about any type of spill

Liquid waste spills that are not appropriately handled can harm the environment and your business.

In the event of any spill, the individual(s) who caused the spill is responsible for prompt and proper clean up.

Many of the basic steps involved in cleaning up emergency and non-emergency spills and leaks are similar.

As with all spills, know what you are dealing with, and only respond if you have been suitably trained, have the required materials on hand, and are wearing appropriate protective equipment.

You have a duty to notify pollution incidents to the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) on 131 555 or your local council.

Failure to report a pollution incident that has the potential to cause material harm to the environment is an offence. The maximum penalty is $250,000 for corporations, or $120,000 for individuals.

Businesses responsible for causing a pollution incident, and/or the owners of the liquid waste, are responsible for clean up and disposal costs in the event of a spill.

With a high-pressure wash-down and large capacity vacuum, our trucks take care of non-toxic spills quickly and cost effectively.

We’re a full-service, fully insured contractor, available 24/7 – capable of responding to just about any type of spill.

Remember:

Attend to liquid waste spills immediately.
If it is safe to do so, stop the spill at its source.
For spills of hazardous liquid waste, contact the NSW Fire Brigade immediately on ‘000’.
Log all incidences of spills.

Investigate the cause of each spill and ensure that precautionary action is implemented to lessen the risk of a similar incident recurring.

For details on our services contact us directly on 0414 521 808 .

The ‘suck n truck’ method of waste removal

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 06:34:14 GMT

Sucker trucks are highly efficient

Well-equipped and versatile vacuum or ‘sucker‘ trucks are critical when it comes to on-site mud removal, spills and clean-ups.

Builders and site owners are normally required by a development consent to have adequate erosion control measures in place at construction sites, meaning there are mandatory regulations for controlling soil erosion including removing accidental spills of soil onto roadways, gutters and public thoroughfares.

The need to minimise on-site vehicle activity when the site is muddy, while restricting vehicle access to one stable entry and exit point is also now being increasingly scrutinised.

Sucker trucks are tank trucks that feature a heavy-duty vacuum system designed to use the technology to load liquids, sludge or slurry through suction lines.

Pneumatically sucking sludge, slurries, liquids etc. on-site into the tank of the truck, the material is then transported to another location for approved/safe disposal.

Used extensively in the construction sector, sucker trucks are also engaged in the petroleum, gas and mining industry for cleaning of storage tanks and spills along with removal of most wet material including drillers mud.

Sucker trucks can also be used for sewer pipe cleaning and septic emptying, clearing of storm drains, sewer lines and catch basins as well as just most projects requiring the removal of debris or liquids.

ExcaVac’s modern fleet of vac loading and vac excavation sucker trucks offer safe, efficient and cost effective removal of all wet and dry waste products including regulated and non-regulated spills of hazardous materials.

Our highly efficient units, hold between 4000 and 8000 litres of spoil and 3000 litres of fresh water each - plus we're Australian owned and operated.

Servicing Sydney, The Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and the Illawarra, Excavac is a full-service, fully insured contractor, available 24/7.

Non Destructive Digging

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:01:18 GMT

Clean, Green and Efficient

Large-scale investment by the NSW Government in infrastructure, aligned with increasing concerns for safety & the environment, mean ‘old school’ methods of excavation are now making way for ‘new schools of thought’.

With 10 key infrastructure projects in metro and regional areas currently underway, including a $90 million investment into Sydney’s Rail Future, investment in the construction and civil sectors is virtually unprecedented.

To minimise the impact on the environment, non-destructive digging (NDD) is now the ‘go to’ method when it comes to both large scale & domestic projects.

Using high-pressure water and a vacuum to break up and remove earth (as a safer and more precise way of excavating) NDD also has the benefit of exposing utilities and underground pipes minimising the risk of damaging them.

Cost effective, time efficient and regarded as a safer alternative to traditional methods, it also creates less noise and dust pollution and helps eliminate workers’ exposure to possible environmental hazards.

Using precise, high-pressure water and an air vacuum, NDD cuts through the soil before an air vacuum is used to haul and transfer the soil to a debris tank mounted on a ‘sucker’ truck.

Mimicking the effect of mechanical digging, the targeted water pressure doesn’t impact the surrounding area, underground assets or tree roots.

Since hydro excavation (sucker) trucks can be positioned at a distance, problems connected with heavy machinery obstructing large areas can also minimised.

Now widely used within the plumbing, construction, landscaping & installation sectors, NDD is also suitable for use with straightening power poles and soil sample coring.

Hydro Excavation – Precise, Safe and Cost Effective

Wed, 22 May 2019 05:14:31 GMT

Quicker, eco-friendly and safe

As with any new construction project, it’s crucial to know which utility assets are buried underground. Whether you’re an engineer, contractor, stakeholder or homeowner, the cost and safety benefits of hydro excavation are even more apparent when you have a more comprehensive understanding of the risk associated with alternative methods.

According to the group CGA (Common Ground Alliance - a member-driven association of 1,700 individuals, organisations and sponsors within the underground utility industry) over the past 20 years in the US alone there have been 1,906 injuries and 421 deaths attributed to hitting underground utilities, almost entirely energy infrastructure.

They also site 316,442 cases of utilities being hit during excavation in 2017 at an average cost of $US4000 in direct costs per hit.

In Australia, underground utility conflicts and relocations are a major cause of project delays particularly during road construction.

Studies that have shown that the cost of detecting and safely navigating underground utilities prior to construction typically costs less than 0.5 per cent of the total project construction cost, and saves more than $4 for every $1 spent while reducing project delivery time by as much as 20 per cent.

More importantly the indirect cost, including traffic disruption, injuries to workers, and loss of business custom is just as telling.

Every construction project requires an investment in time and effort which today should include the use of vacuum and hydro excavation equipment in detecting and exposing underground infrastructure prior to (and during) excavation.

It’s been estimated that traditional construction tenders can be inflated by 10-30 per cent to accommodate the additional manpower required, risk perception and social disruption.

Hydro excavation is eco-friendly and safe that gets the job done quicker and more effectively with significantly less work required from manual labourers.

From cutting trenches for plumbing and pipes through to sewer systems pole maintenance, hi-tech installations commercial and industrial projects and landscaping, hydro excavation is precise, safe and efficiently cost effective.

Hydro Excavation - a better solution

Sun, 14 Apr 2019 21:53:01 GMT

Increased safety, efficiency and accuracy

For decades, traditional excavation methods used manually intensive – physically rich techniques, which not only posed dangers but were also time consuming and costly.

Today, hydro excavation is simply a better solution.

Employing a specialised process to remove soil using pressurised water, hydro excavation engages air vacuum systems to transfer the debris and soil to debris tanks. This allows a more accurate and non-destructive way of excavating soil and locating the underground utilities.

With high-pressure water cutting through the soil to break it up, industrial vacuums then lift the slurry from the excavation area. The process relies on two main components – high-pressure jets of water and a strong vacuum hose with soil and debris transferred to designated tanks.

Even in areas which have limited space, excavation work is now an efficient and safe operation, and unlike more traditional methods ExcaVac trucks can be used to exhume almost any type of material at a construction site including compressed clay, sand and gravel.

With increased safety benefits, time efficiencies and less manpower, there is also minimal to no damage to surrounding areas.
It provides a more accurate and precise job, helps to protect pipes, utilities and sub-structures and is environmental friendly.

Hydro excavation is also ideal when it comes to slot trenching reduces liability and insurance costs

Whether it’s a large commercial or construction job, landscaping contract or plumbing issues, hydro excavation is now the first choice when it comes to cost effective, industry standards.

Five Advantages of Hydro Excavation

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 06:12:29 GMT

The safer, technically superior alternative!

Industrial, commercial and residential excavation services have come a long way in 20 years. Gone are the days where skid steers, backhoes and bulldozers were your only options, now more economical and time efficient methods such as non-destructive hydro excavation are safer, technically superior alternatives.

Unlike traditional mechanical excavation, damage or disruption to critical underground utilities is avoided while typical excavation projects are performed in a fraction of the time compared to conventional digging methods.

Here’s just a few reasons why non-destructive hydro excavation works:

The process is more accurate and efficient
It maximises safety
There is a marked increase in efficiency and decrease in down time
Surrounding areas remain undamaged
Self-contained trucks transport removed materials, eliminating the need for additional costs and time associated with haul away equipment

Today, hydro excavation is considered to be a best practice by municipalities, contractors and public utility organisations alike.

Versatility, efficiency, safety, environmental sustainability and cost – just five reasons hydro excavation is breaking new ground.

For more information on hydro excavation, contact us today by phone or email.

Environmentally sound, technically superior, commercially efficient

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:01:25 GMT

It’s safe, clean, environmentally friendly and efficient

Underground gas lines, communications and publicly owned utilities are usually a maze of cables and infrastructure that ‘in the main’ are poorly mapped.

Traditional mechanical excavation methods are not only messy, labour and equipment intensive but can also seriously affect hidden substructures and harm the environment.

Today, non-destructive excavation (NDE or non destructive digging NDD) is a more precise method of operation, using either pressurised water (or air) to mobilise soil, along with an industrial strength vacuum to simultaneously excavate soil with minimal environmental impact.

It offers safer working conditions, is cost effective and eliminates many of the on site risks. NDD around utilities can be done in a fraction of the time compared with conventional methods.

Whether it be power, gas, water or telecommunication lines – hydro vacuum excavation allows for safe and efficient ‘excavation’ that mechanical equipment is simply not capable of achieving.

From potholing and excavation to safely planting trees in areas with valuable underground assets (even the straightening of power poles without the need for removal) – the advantages NDD technology brings, supersedes older more invasive and generally costly methods.

It’s safe, clean, environmentally friendly and efficient.

Plus, NDD has the ability to keep a pit dry of ground water for service technicians, trades and inspectors to ensure minimal disruption.

With approximately $50 billion government investment into infrastructure, the way we work is changing for the better.

NDD now plays a vital role in not only protecting infrastructure, but also the environment with reduced landfill, reduced transport and fuel costs, which benefit us at a local and global level.

For more information on NDD and more contact us today by phone or email.

Non Destructive Excavation

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Unfamiliar with the term Non Destructive Excavation? You’re not alone.

Non Destructive Excavation (or NDE) is an environmentally efficient means of excavating earth around buried utilities such as water mains, communication and power cabling, gas etc.

Also known as Hydro Excavation, Potholing and Asset Proving, NDE not only massively reduces the risk of damaging underground infrastructure before you excavate, but is also cost effective and non-intrusive ensuring significantly less environmental risks and impact to the immediate work site.

Used in conjunction with GPS mapping and hydro suction equipment, NDE technology has become increasingly popular with large-scale operators looking to reduce downtime and cost, while increasing site safety and productivity.

Ideal for excavation and installation of power and street lighting, exposure of utilities/services, removal of rail ballast and trench work, NDE is also suitable for

Excavation around tree roots
Trench excavation around or under obstacles
Conduit cleaning
Exposure of underground utilities prior to excavation

The process virtually eliminates labour-intensive hand digging and greatly reduces environmental impacts, with high-pressure water and vacuum tanks (or sucker trucks) being the key ingredients to removing sludge.

Not only is the process extremely efficient, but buried services can be clearly identified and marked to ensure the exact location of any possible issues when working on a site.

The ‘sucker trucks’ used in the process of NDE are also effective when it comes to cleaning electrical, communication, or stormwater pits to remove sludge and water borne debris an environmentally friendly means.

NDE is non-mechanical, fast, safe and less invasive than using heavy equipment, it limits congestion with few vehicles needed on site to get the job done, reduces labour costs and is better for the environment.

For more information on NDE and/or vacuum cleaning, contact us today by phone or email.