Blog

Ignoring Hydro Excavating Could Be Detrimental

by

Ignoring Hydro Excavating Could Be DetrimentalYou may be tempted to ignore hydro excavating, but doing so may be dangerous. We’ve got three reasons burying your head in the sand would be a bad idea.

  • 1. Hydro Excavation is the only non-destructive method of digging, utilizing pressurized water and a vacuum system to quickly and safely expose underground infrastructure.Hidden beneath the surface lie a complex maze of facilities that carry petroleum products, electricity, water, wastewater, natural gas, and telecommunications. Not a single day passes without incidents that occur across the country that leave utilities damaged, property destroyed, and often, workers injured or worse.
  • 2. OSHA has, of course, chimed in with their thoughts: Question: Section 1926.651 contains several requirements that relate to the safety of employees engaged in excavation work. Specifically, paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) relate in part to the safety of the means used to locate underground utility installations that, if damaged during an uncovering operation, could pose serious hazards to employees. Under these provisions, what constitutes an acceptable method of uncovering underground utility lines, and further, would the use of hydro-vacuum excavation be acceptable under the standard?           Answer; When utility companies or owners cannot respond to a request to locate underground utility installations within 24 hours,  or cannot establish the exact location of these installations, the employer may proceed, provided the employer does so with caution, and provided detection equipment or other acceptable means to locate utility installations are used.Paragraph (b)(3) provides: When excavation operations approach the estimated location of underground installations, the exact location of the installations shall be determined by safe and acceptable means. Therefore, “acceptable means” must be used where the location of the underground utilities have not been identified by the utility companies and detection equipment is not used. It is our understanding that some hydro-vacuum excavation equipment can be adjusted to use a minimum amount of water and suction pressure. When appropriately adjusted so that the equipment will not damage underground utilities (especially utilities that are particularly vulnerable to damage, such as electrical lines), use of such equipment would be considered an “acceptable means” of locating underground utilities. See the entire Q&A here.
  • 3. 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating is a Christian, family owned company, formed not only to make an impact on the industry but also to make an impact on people’s lives. The operators at 4 Warriors have advanced safety training that is required when asked to work refineries, substations, and even nuclear facilities.

To talk more about this, or anything else, please  contact us today.

Discover The Benefits Of Potholing Utilities With Hydro Excavation

by

Discover The Benefits Of Potholing Utilities With Hydro ExcavationUsing a backhoe to dig for subsurface utilities is dangerous, time-consuming and unreliable. The optimal choice for digging underground to locate a buried utility is by using a high-powered vacuum excavating machine. Read the information below to learn about the benefits of using hydro excavation for potholing utilities.

Minimizes Dangerous Working Conditions

When using a backhoe for digging, workers can become injured if the machinery damages underground utilities. When using heavy machinery around populated areas, bystanders can also sustain injuries if they get too close to the work area. Hydro excavation is safe for employees who run the machines and for others who are nearby.

Prevents Damage To Utilities

If digging equipment cuts or damages underground utilities, they will require replacement or repair. This is labor-intensive, costly and it slows down job progression. When using a vacuum excavation method, utilities remain undamaged and the job can continue as scheduled. A hydro excavation machine penetrates all types of ground and soil conditions including red clay, frozen ground and rocky soil.

Used In Diverse Applications

Hydro excavation is often used to locate various utilities including gas pipes, water lines and fiber optic cables. Hydro excavation is repeatedly used by various companies and industries including oil refineries, engineering services, barge operations and pipeline companies.

When you need an experienced company for hydro excavation services including potholing and trenching, 4 Warriors Excavating can get the job done right and in a timely manner. Contact us with any questions or to request an estimate for our services.

Trenching with Hydro Excavation Technology

by

Trenching with Hydro Excavation TechnologyTechnology is a good thing, better yet it is a great thing when it saves time, money and even lives.

Hydro excavating is an example of new technology that is inching its way into commonplace in the world of construction.  Contractors are choosing hydro excavating over traditional backhoe as they become educated to the savings in time, insurance and clean up.

What is hydro excavating?

Highly pressurized water is used to cut through dirt while a vacuum system simultaneously removes excess soil.

Why is it better than traditional backhoe digging?

Hydro excavating is much more precise as it removes the soil. There is far less clean up work and the risk of damaging pipes and utility line is low.

Contractors prefer hydro technology over traditional big machinery because it is precise, cleaner and saves money in insurance due to its higher safety rating and lower man power needs.

Why use hydro excavating for trenching?

Trenching is actually one of the most common uses of hydro technology. There are several forms of trenching. Each has its own application depending on the type of work to be done. A few forms of trenching include slot, box, cross and exploratory.

All trenching work begins with a pothole. The water pressure/vacuum system efficiently cuts straight down into the soil, digging as deep as needed for the necessary application. Once the proper depth has been reached, trenching in either a straight line or a circle will begin.

Hydro excavating can complete slot trenching by cutting a narrow and very accurate line. This will allow for burial of pipeline, fiber optics and cable lines.

Contact us to learn what 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating can accomplish for your next construction project or pipeline repair work. We have a reputation for integrity and excellence in service. Give us a call, you’ll be glad you did.

Vacuum Excavation is Fast, Clean, and Responsible

by

Vacuum excavationVacuum Excavation is Fast, Clean, and Responsible is the specific process of removing debris, soils, or other materials from a hole or piece of land using powerful water (hydro-excavation) or air suction.  Materials are loosened then sucked through a pipe that is approximately 6 inches to 1 foot wide (depending on the size of the vehicle) and with an airspeed of over 200 miles per hour.  The materials are then stored in a tank for disposal.

The specific instrument, unsurprisingly called a vacuum (or suction) excavator, was created in its earliest form during the 1960s and since then, gone through a number of upgrades and improvements to get to where it is today.  When using the excavator, and operator will guide the hand-held tube to the site while the machine will dislodge the materials and suck it up.  The operator and boom allow for some level of precision.  The size of the material that it can hold is limited, so sometimes bigger objects need to be disposed of separately.

Vacuum excavation is commonly used for site remediation or investigations, a variety of construction projects, and other civil engineering work. It is a popular option because it is minimally invasive and does not tend to destroy a lot of property.  Another reason for the popularity of vacuum excavation is the fact that it is much more efficient and can be cheaper than the alternatives.  This process can assist some agencies to locate and map sensitive underground utilities, in turn saving money for taxpayers and time for contractors.

4 Warriors Hydro Excavating has years of proven safe and cost efficient excavation methods. Contact us to find out which one makes the most sense for you as well as learn about all of our other services.

What is Daylighting Excavation?

by

What is Daylighting Excavation?Daylighting excavation is the process of safely exposing utility lines or underground pipes to daylight using a hydro-vacuum excavator. In the past, utility lines and pipes were exposed by hand digging, which is a painstakingly slow process and places the worker in danger if he should inadvertently hit a power line with his shovel. Often a backhoe was also used, but the backhoe method is clumsy and can damage lines and wires. In daylight excavation, the use of a hydro-vacuum excavator quickly and safely removes the debris to locate and expose the pipes or utility lines.

The vacuum excavator works in a wide variety of soils and conditions such as clay, rocky substrate and frozen ground. It exposes the pipes and utilities by using a combination of pressure, water, and air. It then sucks up the slurry debris material utilizing a large attached hose. A mobile evacuation storage tank stores the slurry debris and hauls it away for later disposal.

Daylighting excavation is a highly successful way to expose utility lines and pipes without damage. It has quickly become the preferred method in urban areas with excessive infrastructure. The process can also be used to expose only a small section of pipe or lines to evaluate them for cracks, leaks or damage. When only a small area is excavated with hydro-vacuum excavation it is commonly referred to as “daylight potholing.”

Our professional crew at 4 Warriors Hydro Excavating are trained in all aspects of daylighting excavation. Please contact us to effectively locate underground utility lines and pipes using our state of the art hydro-vacuum excavation systems. We have worked on a wide array of projects such as refineries, substations, and even nuclear facilities.

Three Facts You Should Know About Hydro Excavating

by

Three Facts You Should Know About Hydro ExcavatingYou may not know all there is to know about hydro excavating, so we rounded up three facts to get you started:

1. Hydro Excavation is Precise

Hydro excavation uses high-pressure water and suction to create openings in the earth. The result is a slurry of water and earth that is suctioned into a holding tank.

Since the high-pressure water is intense and focused, the result is a highly precise excavation. Backhoes and cats have to navigate around piles of dirt. This heavy equipment can ruin the surrounding area.

Hydro excavation works extremely well in rain gardens, parks or areas in need of drainage sumps and trenches. Small slits and trenches are excavated without damaging the surrounding area.

2. Hydro Excavation is Efficient

Probably the most amazing aspect of hydro excavation is the speed at which the intense streams of water impact the area and suck away dirt. What can take days of digging takes hours with hydro excavation.

Aside from the time saved, hydro excavation is efficient because it can handle a variety of soil types, from clay to sand. Additionally, hydro excavation maintains its efficiency even in freezing temperatures.

3. Hydro Excavation is Non-Destructive

As mentioned earlier, hydro excavation is precise and won’t damage the surrounding area. Hydro excavation will also prevent damage underground. Unlike metal shovels or claws, high pressure water does not damaged coaxial cables, pipes or other underground utilities. This is especially helpful if you are unsure of what is beneath the soil.

Hydro excavation services can assist you in locating utilities should you need to make any repairs.

To talk more about your interests in hydro excavation services, then please Contact Us. Thanks.

The Advantages of Hydro Excavation Techniques

by

When it comes to excavation services, hydro excavation is perhaps the most misunderstood. However, the advantages of hydro excavation benefit all businesses. Here are a few of the top advantages.

The Advantages of Hydro Excavation Techniques

Immediate Risk Reduction

Moving large amounts of soil through traditional force methods causes undue strain on the piping and the infrastructure of surrounding buildings. There are also many mechanical concerns with traditional excavation techniques. Hydro excavation lowers the risk for the surrounding community as well as the risk for the construction workers who are actually performing the excavation.

Cost-Effective Hydro Excavation

Hydro excavation is a low-cost method when compared to traditional excavation methods. Because the process only water and an air vacuum, the effects to the surrounding environment are virtually nonexistent. Because the risk of damage to the surrounding environment goes down, insurance companies offer better rates to excavation companies that are using hydro excavation. Savings from the reduced insurance rates are usually passed along to the customer.

Precision Excavating

There are actually situations in which additional excavation techniques cannot be used. Very precise construction projects require precision excavation technique. The much cleaner and more precise direction of Hydro excavation ensures that even the most delicate operations complete themselves while remaining compliant with federal regulation and municipal law. Hydro excavation also requires less backfilling and additional repair after the excavation completes itself.

Feel free to contact us concerning safe and cost-effective excavation services. As a Christian, family owned company, we pride ourselves on bringing a positive experience to your business and to your life.