What lurks beneath?
Excavac • May 25, 2020
Not sure what’s beneath your job site?
There are literally hundreds of thousands
of kilometres of underground pipes and cables, which carry essential services to households and businesses around the Australia.
As easements and roadways become more congested with these utilities, it’s vital to visually identify their location — to ensure the safety of your workers and reduce any nasty (or costly) surprises.
Accidents and disruptions from builders and home owners unsuspectingly exposing underground assets cost millions of dollars each year and can significantly impact services, delay projects even cause death or injury.
This is where potholing using ‘sucker trucks’ with vacuum excavation comes into its own.
Potholing is a technique to expose a utility prior to excavation and allows contractors, engineer and builders to know exactly where the utility is located. This information can help avoid construction damage to the utility or to the people around the utility.
Vacuum excavators are self-contained units that use pressurised water to displace soil and create wet spoil.
The displaced spoil is removed from the area through a hose using high-velocity suction and stored in a holding tank.
Since vacuum excavators use water to remove spoil, they are perfect for potholing to identify existing utilities during underground construction projects.
While services such as Dial Before You Dig are useful, it is essential that property owners or construction managers thoroughly do their homework to discover what, if any, underground water pipes or utility lines might lie unseen below the surface on the property.
Our experience allows us to provide a clear understanding of underground utilities before manual excavation, preventing any workplace injuries and damage to significant assets.
Why is Potholing Important?
- It helps avoid any disruptions to utility services
- Promotes solid health and safety practice
- Alleviates expensive repairs for damages
Potholing determines the exact location of these underground services.
It is a safe and effective method, which avoids damage and the associated expensive consequences.
Servicing Sydney, The Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and the Illawarra, we have been the name professionals have turned to since 2007.
For a detailed assessment or to find out more call 0414 521 808
or email us here.
Beyond non-destructive digging, vacuum trucks are also widely used for sewer and storm drain cleaning, septic tank emptying, and catch basin maintenance. Their versatility makes them indispensable for various site management tasks.
Environmental degradation is a growing concern, and improper waste disposal doesn't just harm ecosystems — it also poses significant risks to workers and the public. When waste is not managed correctly, the concentration and total mass of discharged substances can create serious health and safety hazards. Beyond the environmental and personal impacts, operators risk substantial fines for non-compliance with waste disposal regulations. High-performance, non-destructive equipment like hydro vacuum trucks makes pit cleaning quick, efficient, and thorough. Hydro vacuum cleaning of electrical and communication pits is widely regarded as the most practical method for ensuring these areas are properly maintained. This innovative technique is incredibly versatile and offers solutions for a wide range of applications, including: Removing waste Cleaning sewer systems, stormwater drains, and pipes Electrical and communication pit cleaning Liquid waste removal Tank and vessel cleaning Emergency spill response Scheduled maintenance shutdowns Hydro vacuum cleaning also plays a critical role in the petroleum industry, where it is used to clean storage tanks, manage spills, and remove drilling mud, cuttings, cement, and brine water from production tanks. In fact, these services have become virtually mandatory in modern industrial and commercial operations due to their efficiency and safety. Whether dealing with public facilities, shopping centres, large industrial sites, rental properties, or renovation projects, programmed maintenance involving hydro vacuum cleaning can prevent minor waste issues from becoming major, complex problems. By addressing waste removal and cleaning needs proactively, businesses can ensure compliance, improve safety, and minimise environmental impact. Beyond its practical benefits, hydro vacuum cleaning is also cost-effective. It reduces downtime, limits labour-intensive processes, and ensures thorough results. These features make it an attractive choice for industries aiming to improve their environmental footprint without compromising operational efficiency. Sustainability starts with rethinking how we treat waste. Employing advanced cleaning techniques like hydro vacuum cleaning helps preserve our environment by delivering efficient, safe, and technologically responsible solutions for water, waste, and energy management. For more information about how vacuum and pit clearing trucks can support your operations, contact us today by phone or email. Let’s work together for a cleaner, safer future.
Excavac has been a leader in non-destructive excavation and vacuum truck services, offering a modern fleet that ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective management of both wet and dry waste. Call today for more information.
