Hydro Excavating Blog

When beginning any construction job, whether you are in South Texas or West Texas, you will want everything to go as smoothly as possible. It is always exciting to start a new project, but what generally happens when things start to go left? The excitement will quickly start to fade, and the fading excitement can result in major setbacks.

Managing The Site

Professional land clearing methods can lead to fewer setbacks and a reduction of problems in the future. If you want to have the best experiences before, during, and after your construction project, you should seek an excavation company that will be committed to giving you the best results, even if your construction project will take place on rugged terrain.

In order for an excavation to be successful, there needs to be an establishment of appropriate entrances around the construction site. There will also need to be an establishment of appropriate exits. Other considerations will also need to be made, including how the site will impact traffic.

The Process of Erosion

Did you know that the process of erosion can surge when there is a development of land? Texas does experience periods of heavy rains, flooding, and other weather conditions that could impact land. These weather conditions can impact the development of land, including the excavation process.

The variety of trees in Texas survive off the heavy doses of sunshine and rain. When trees need to be removed in Texas, it can be a very strenuous process. In order to safely remove trees, you will need a professional and experienced crew that is armed with the right equipment.

In order to have an overall successful project, you will need to ensure that a level base exists. Also, the land clearing process will also require that right use of equipment and the right team because this process includes the removal of additional soil.

In order to avoid any delays in your future construction projects, it is important to have the right team on your side because the excavation process involves more than digging soil and moving it. For more information on our excavation services for your construction job and the processes we use, contact us today.

Potholing refers to the method you might use to find underground utilities. Although utility owners know where these pipes and lines are supposed to be, it is possible for any ground movement to result in some shifting. Therefore, potholing allows for the accurate pinpointing of the utilities.

Hand Digging Takes Too Long

Even if you are certain where the lines are running, excavating a site by hand is labor-intensive and simply takes too long. Hand digging is also not suitable for larger operations where you might attempt to account for a variety of soil shifts when locating utilities through potholing.

Mechanical Excavation Easily Leads to Damage

Even though you know – in theory – where the utility lines are running, you are unsure about the exact location. When employing a backhoe for potholing, you run the risk of inadvertently damaging the very lines you are looking for. Even if you manage to avoid them, you may break the lines of other utility owners.

Hydro Excavating Allows for Potholing with Surgical Precision

In this process, experts use water and a vacuum to loosen and remove soil. Because you can pinpoint the likely area of the lines, the damage to the surrounding site is minimal. Moreover, the process is safe, environmentally friendly, and suitable when you anticipate that there are other underground structures you do not want to disturb.

Never Sever Another Sewer Line!

Hydro excavation processes for potholing let you verify the depth of the underground utility lines. Moreover, you get a good understanding of other lines that may be running parallel to the ones you are planning to work on. Therefore, you greatly reduce the chance of puncturing another water line or severing a sewer pipe.

Your team can use the potholing data you collect to confirm underground structures and map their coordinates. Similarly, you can determine whether above-ground structures require special treatment when working on the lines. Contact 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating today to learn more about the potholing process!

Your company is looking for ways to quickly move a large amount of dirt. Although traditional excavation methods are on the table, you are looking for something that is more precise and less destructive. Hydro excavation could be precisely what you are looking for. There are many advantages of hydro excavation.

Understanding the Hydro Excavation Process

As the name implies, hydro excavation relies on pressurized water to loosen, move, and remove soil. Specialists leverage the power of an industrial-strength vacuum to achieve this goal. Companies request this service when they need targeted uncovering or locating of utilities running underground.

Advantages of the Technology

Regular excavation creates collateral damage. Examples include root death of long-established desirable trees, damage to other existing utilities, and a buildup of dirt. Hydro excavation does not do that.

1. Non-destructive. Because the process relies on the use of pressurized water for soil movement, it eliminates the need for mechanical devices. As a result, your site experiences far less collateral damage due to excavation than you might with other methods.
2. Safe. Hydro excavation is a localized process. Crews focus on the areas you designate. Without the need for numerous excavation machines, the site remains safe for your personnel, passersby, and others working.
3. Convenient. There used to be a time when a construction site quickly would become cluttered with trucks, gadgets, and equipment. This is no longer necessary. Because of the localization of the treatment, the team can position the actual hydro excavation truck farther away from the action.
4. Leak prevention. Unlike mechanical means of moving earth, hydro excavating will not accidentally damage any water pipes that may be running parallel to the utilities you need to uncover. As a result, the pipes remain in excellent shape and you do not have to return later to fix one or more leaks.
5. Suitable for numerous projects. Specialists in this field routinely work with construction firms, pipeline companies, utility owners, and municipalities to move earth without damaging the environment.

Work with a Leader in the Field

4 Warriors Hydro Excavating is a thought leader in its niche. Our technicians enjoy ongoing training and hold all the necessary certifications. Therefore, you can expect to receive superior quality work with the most non-invasive means of accomplishing your goals. Contact us today to learn more about the hydro excavation process for your next project!

Vacuum excavation, also known as non-destructive digging(NND), involves the use of a pump that has been mounted on a vacuum truck. The pump is used to bring about a strong type of suction that is powerful enough to remove debris. Vacuum excavation offers a list of advantages, but one of the major advantages is that it is non-destructive.

Since the vacuum excavation process is non-destructive, the chances of any operator damaging lines and underground utilities will be greatly reduced. When a non-destructive process is used and the risks of damages are reduced, this will reduce the chances of major downtime and delays. Underground utility and line strikes can result in significant damages that will be costly, but using non-destructive digging can lower the risks of those occurrences.

Vacuum excavation continues to be considered a best practice, especially when it comes to locating utilities that have been buried underground. Vacuum excavation techniques are accepted worldwide because they are the safest way to uncover underground services or excavate underground services, such as the following:

• storm water
• sewer pipes
• electrical cables
• telephone lines or other communication cables
• gas and water

When you compare vacuum excavation techniques to traditional excavation techniques, the risks of damages are higher when mechanical excavation techniques are used. Vacuum excavation can reduce the chances of underground utility damages by 50 percent. The techniques that are involved in the vacuum excavation process will allow the cables, lines, pipes, etc. to be exposed safely, regardless of where they are located underground.

When you use the vacuum excavation process, you will not have to worry about causing any damages underground or to the site and its surroundings. Vacuum excavation techniques will not result in major disturbances to the ground and it will not result in major restrictions in the area because there is no use of giant machinery.

You no longer have to risk striking assets that have been safely stored underground. Contact 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating for an estimate.  Call us today at (210) 268-7102.

Underground utility myths can prevent you from making the right decisions that are needed to run an effective and safe project. Do not let the common myths surrounding underground utilities lead to extensive delays, service interference, and excessive costs.

We want you to review these common myths to make certain that you are following all the rules and guidelines that have been established by the industry. We encourage you to incorporate best practices into your strategies and procedures if you want to have a safe and effective operation each time.

Myth 1: The Utility Depth Can Be Estimated

In order to effectively determine the locator depths, the utilities will need to be exposed in order to verify the depth and the location. Even when you know a utility is underground, the utility will need to be marked. There are times when utilities will be installed before an excavation process.

When this happens, the surface grade will be changed significantly. It is important that you remember that you should never assume the depths of one or more utilities. If you want to obtain the exact measurements of locator depths, there needs to be exposure.

Myth 2: Utility Strikes Will Not Happen

It is easy to think that you will never hit a utility during underground digging, but a utility strike can happen at any time to anyone. If you have never had an underground utility strike before, this does not mean it will never happen.

Even when you feel like you can cut corners when it comes to safety procedures and protocols, it is important to never do so. Rushing to get the job done can lead to major damages, and the major damages can lead to major consequences.

Myth 3: I Can Dig In A Spot With No Marks

If you find a spot with no marks, this does not mean you should start digging with no questions asked. Do not assume that any spot is safe to dig without going through the proper procedures. There are some utility lines that may not have been located or recorded.

It is important to perform a thorough inspection of the area in order to determine if there is any indication that a line may be present. Some evidence that a line may be present can include repaired soil and utility boxes.

We are all aware that accidents can happen to anyone, even when we are extremely careful. There are hundreds of thousands of utility strikes every year. At 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating, we take the necessary steps to ensure to reduce risks, and we always proceed with caution.

For more information on our services and the procedures we take to ensure safety, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Generally, vacuum excavation is used for various things like safely exposing utilities that are underground. Also, vacuum excavation is used so often because of the extra precision and security that it can provide each time. Since the excavation process can be so precise and safe, this process can be used in a variety of settings.

When you add vacuum excavation to your services, you can open the door to a long list of jobs that you can complete. Some of the jobs that can be completed using vacuum excavation are listed below:

• system installation in smaller areas
• main break repair
• utility pole digging

There is a long list of opportunities that can be achieved, especially in the months when the temperatures have dropped. On the colder days, it can be more difficult to use traditional equipment to dig holes into the ground. However, vacuum excavation equipment can be used more effectively because of its size and capabilities.

Vacuum excavators have continued to be an economical solution in situations where a high number of risks are present. In situations where the use of traditional mechanical trenching or excavation machines will cause a significant amount of damage, these excavators can be used. Manual digging is not as efficient as vacuum excavation, especially when it comes to safety reasons and economic reasons.

Some of the risks and costs that are associated with coming in contact with underground utilities or infrastructures include the following:

• equipment damage
• lost productivity
• repair costs
• disruption of services
• injuries or death to members of the public or an employee

When you use vacuum excavators to dig underground, you will see an immediate increase in efficiency and productivity. The vacuum process can be used in the following situations:

• construction work
• landscaping
• laying new cables
• pipe repair
• ground excavation
• sewer and water main service cleaning
• pole installation

Vacuum excavation equipment can allow you to quickly access and expose any utilities or infrastructure that are underground while having a positive impact on the environment. For more information on vacuum excavation, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

If you have been looking for a non-destructive process to excavate and evacuate soil, hydro excavation could be the process you have been searching for.  The hydro excavation process will provide you with a safe and improved alternative to traditional excavation methods you may have used in the past.

The hydro excavation process is one that uses pressurized water and industrial-strength vacuum to complete this process. When the dirt or soil begins to break up, the soil and the water will be taken by the extra-strength vacuum and into the debris tank.

The hydro excavation process has been around since the middle of the 1800s. During this time, a steam pump that was filled with pressurized water was used to wear down land. However, vacuum trucks became the common practice for hydro excavation during the 1970s and 1980s.

Vacuum trucks that are equipped with pressurized water are more preferred because of the ability to create holes in the ground without causing any damage to underground utilities. The pressurized water that vacuum trucks have can be used to successfully clean the bigger water lines like sewers and storm drains. Vacuum trucks and their pressurized water can also be used to clean any debris that has been left over.

As mentioned above, hydro excavation is better for utility lines. The majority of sewers and pipes are located under the soil. When using hydro excavation, the soil can be reached without having to worry about hitting a line. When using the hydro excavation process, the process will be easier and safer because you will not have to worry about causing any damage each time you dig.

Hydro excavation is also incredibly useful for cleaning sewers and pipes because of the strength of the water and the ability to collect debris. Pipes are less likely to become damaged using the hydro excavation process. It will not matter if you have an excavation project you need to complete or if drains and sewers need to be cleaned, the hydro excavation process can fulfill your needs.

If you need to get your drains or sewers running properly or if you have a project you need to complete, contact us today for information on our hydro excavation process and vacuum trucks.

Our clients are often amazed at how our team has the ability to clean industrial tanks with ease and get rid of waste materials with our hydrovac trucks.

While there are several types of hydrovac trucks and attachments all designed for particular purposes and industries, the vehicles do have things in common. These vehicles are equipped with high-powered vacuum and hydro excavation systems.

These systems are designed to completely clean out various types of industrial tanks and water infrastructure. Hydrovac trucks and other types of vehicles also have the ability to haul materials away because the vehicles have their own debris tanks. Some of the benefits of vacuum trucks are as follows:

Safety

Using vacuum trucks and a team of experienced crew members for cleaning tanks will be one of the safest ways to complete the job. At 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating, our team has been professionally trained and certified. Not only is our team trained and experienced, but our equipment is more than capable of completing the job.

Versatility

As mentioned earlier, there are various types of vacuum trucks available today. The different vacuum trucks that can be used today can take on wet debris and dry debris. Vacuum trucks can also haul away significant amounts of dangerous material because they are equipped with water tanks. The water tanks on the vacuum trucks can hold over 1,000 gallons (3.79 m³). The vehicles are also equipped with debris tanks that can hold up to 2,000 gallons (7.57 m³) of debris.

Cost Savings

Since cleaning can take place at the job site, there does not have to be any additional money spent on cleaning. Site logistics will be assessed ahead of time before a member of the crew arrives on site. If there are any safety issues involved, the safety issues will be addressed. A plan will be put in place before the cleaning crew arrives. As a result, any unpredicted costs will be mitigated.

It does not matter if you are operating a business that uses industrial tanks or whether you need to outsource services to help you clean or transport materials, the team at 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating can help you. Contact us today for more information.

Winter is over, spring is almost over, and summer is approaching. While we all have our reasons for why we love or do not love summer, did you know summer is a favorite season for excavation services?

Generally, excavations are more popular during the summer because the weather is more predictable, and there are fewer periods of rain. Choosing a time with warmer temperatures can help the excavation team and the machinery team complete the job safely and with great efficiency. During the summer, you will not have to worry about the leaves and debris falling all over the place, the job can be completed quicker and the cleanup process will be easier.

Milder temperatures will mean bigger excavations. Temperatures will play a major role in how quickly an excavation job can be completed safely. The majority of machinery can withstand incredibly high temperatures, but with the Texas sun beaming down every day during the summer, our machines and our team will sometimes need to take additional precautions.

In Texas, we love early summer days. Why? These are the days we get to enjoy before the full force of the sun arrives. We also love late summer because it usually means the worst has left and the cooler fall days will arrive soon. Working in the summer will mean our team will not have to worry about windy days and random snow days, which can have a negative impact on the efficiency of machines and equipment.

Selecting an excavation team that values professionalism, efficiency, high-quality work, and safety will always yield the best results for any of your excavation projects. Contact us today to learn more about our excavation services.

When you are looking for a safe and effective way of digging that will not cause destruction to the utilities that are buried underneath the surface, the best option you have is hydrovac excavation. The hydro excavation process uses pressurized water and a vacuum system. Combined, these two forces are used to expose any underground infrastructure in a safe and efficient manner.

In order for the job to be completed the right way, hydrovac trucks are often used. Hydrovac trucks are used for a variety of reasons, but mainly because the trucks can be used to uncover nearly any type of material that can be found on or around a construction site.

In our previous article, we mentioned the environmental impact of hydro excavation. Hydrovac trucks provide a safe and slightly invasive option as an improved alternative to the traditional methods of digging. When it comes to excavation and determining if there are any threats from or to any buried structures, hydro excavation is one of the safest options you will have available to you.

Hydro excavation can also be used to remove unwanted materials from the area, and this will make sure that utilities and other infrastructures are intact after the process. The hydrovac system in a hydrovac truck has proven to be a better and faster option than the hours of traditional digging you have done in the past.

Hydrovac trucks will allow your team to get the job done the right way, in a manner that is efficient, effective, and affordable. Since hydrovac trucks have the ability to dig in various types of material, it has also proven to be an effective way to successfully excavate on any type of ground, even frozen ground. Also, if you have found that traditional digging has limited your underground access, you will not run into those problems when using  a hydrovac truck.

When pressurized water and a vacuum suction system are used together, the soil will be turned into liquid and vacuumed into the truck. 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating offers a variety of excavation and hydrovac services. For more information about our services, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.