What is Vacuum Excavation?
Hydrovac Excavations – What Is It?
Hydrovac excavation is a modern method of digging that uses high-pressure air or water combined with vacuum suction to break apart soil and safely expose underground utilities. Known in the industry as “Soft Dig”, this process is significantly safer than traditional hand digging because it reduces the risk of damaging buried infrastructure while protecting workers from hazards like trench cave-ins.
Advantages of Vacuum Excavation
Greatly reduces the chances of underground line damage
Eliminates trench cave-ins
Keeps workers safe by reducing manual labour risks
Offers precise, controlled excavation compared to traditional digging
Two Types of Vacuum Excavation
1. Air Vacuum Excavation
This method uses compressed air to loosen soil, which is then vacuumed into a debris tank. The stored soil can be reused for backfilling after the work is completed.
Advantages of Air Excavation:
Accurately measures depth of underground utilities
Cleaner worksites with minimal mess
Allows for soil reuse as backfill
More efficient than hand digging
Effective for utilities located deep underground
2. Hydro Vacuum Excavation
Instead of air, this method uses high-pressure water to break apart soil, which is then suctioned into a debris tank. It is faster and more efficient than air excavation, though the soil cannot be reused for backfilling.
Advantages of Hydro Excavation:
Highly precise, minimizing disposal requirements
Soil and debris stored cleanly in a tank, preventing roadblocks
Requires far less effort than hand digging
Less invasive and safer for underground pipes and sewers
Can excavate frozen ground using hot water
Growth of Vacuum Excavation & Labor Hire
As vacuum excavation gains popularity for its safety and efficiency, demand has also created growth in the labor sector. Companies like Get Vacced are hiring both skilled and unskilled workers across industries including:
Civil construction
Plumbing and pipeline maintenance
Transport and logistics
Trades and general labour hire
Vac trucks now come in various sizes, from compact units to large heavy-duty trucks. Some companies even use vacuum units mounted on crawler carriers to reach excavation sites where vehicles can’t access.
Final Thoughts
Vacuum excavation has rapidly become the preferred method for safe, precise, and environmentally friendly digging. Whether through air or hydro excavation, the advantages over hand digging are clear: improved safety, efficiency, and cleaner worksites.
For professional vacuum excavation services in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and surrounds, trust Get Vacced to deliver safe and efficient results every time.