In the world of underground construction and excavation, precision and safety are extremely important. One method of excavation that has gained significant traction in recent years is hydro excavation. But what exactly is hydro excavation, and why is it so important?

What is Hydro Excavation?

Hydro excavation is a non-mechanical “safe dig” technique that uses high-pressure water to break up soil and create a slurry so that a powerful boom mounted vacuum can remove the material. This technique is often used to safely excavate and locate underground utilities; this practice is also known as potholing, daylighting, vacuum excavation, or soft digging. These techniques can also be adapted to excavate in environmentally sensitive or hard to reach areas where low impact and cleanliness are important.

Pioneering the Technique: Sanders Brothers Construction

In recent years, hydro excavation has become increasingly popular, with many companies adding this technique to their operations. Sanders Brothers recognized the need for an alternative to traditional mechanical excavation for utility location and began offering soft dig techniques for that alternative. We were among some of the first in our area to embrace hydro excavation, recognizing its potential in the industry. Our early investment in this technology not only showcased our commitment to safety and efficiency, but also has given us much more time to understand the challenges and find solutions to them for our customers. By integrating hydro excavation into our operations, our team has consistently delivered projects that prioritize safety and precision.

Some projects include: Trench Hydro Excavation at the College of Charleston, Signal Pole Installation at Boeing on International Blvd. and potholing for the Highway 17N, Mt Pleasant Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) for a new sewer force main installation.

Why is Hydro Excavation Important?

• Safety
  One of the primary advantages of hydro excavation is its emphasis on safety. Traditional excavation methods can pose risks, including accidental damage to underground utilities. Hydro excavation minimizes this risk by allowing operators to see exactly what they are digging around. This is crucial in areas such as neighborhoods/subdivisions where utilities are densely packed. 

• Precision and Efficiency
  Hydro excavation allows for greater precision compared to conventional digging methods. With proper training, the high-pressure water can easily carve out the exact shape and depth needed. This efficiency can lead to time savings and reduced labor costs, making it a great option for many projects.

• Environmental Impact
  By using water instead of heavy machinery, hydro excavation is often less disruptive to the surrounding environment. Since it’s a non-destructive process, there’s less risk of damaging the area being excavated.

• Versatility
  Not only is hydro excavation used to excavate around utilities, it can be used excavate in environmentally sensitive areas or hard to reach locations.  We have successfully provided hydro excavation services to excavate elevator shafts, pile shafts, footings and foundations.  Because of the reach of our pressure hose and vacuum hose, we have also successfully provided our clients with these services to excavate inside of existing building for repairs and remodeling.