At Waldstein Plumbing, we stay up to date with the latest plumbing technology and procedures! If your plumber needs to locate an underground line, hydro excavation provides the access they need without stirring up soil or spreading mess across your lawn. This precision plumbing tool is a strategic alternative to traditional methods that can interrupt landscaping and natural vegetation.
Hydro excavation (also called hydrovac excavation) uses highly pressurized water to break up soil, while a powerful vacuum removes the loosened dirt. This process is a more precise method of trenching that is particularly useful for completing work around water lines, sewer pipes, and gas or electrical lines. Think of it like pressure washing, but for the purposes of digging. Our team uses this procedure for:
We may also use this technique for potholing – where we create a small excavation area to verify the location and depth of a buried line before proceeding with plumbing repairs. Hydro excavation is widely recognized as a more accurate and tidy method of digging, which also requires less manpower to accomplish. As a homeowner, you’ll save on labor costs, mitigate damage to your property, and still get the utility or plumbing services you need!
In communities like Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Missouri Valley, and the surrounding area, residential properties may have layers of existing underground infrastructure. Using a backhoe or mechanical trencher is risky because you could damage a buried pipe or utility by digging too deep, too aggressively, or by hitting a line that wasn’t located exactly where you expected it to be. The last thing you need during a plumbing repair is to have an accident that will cause further damage and cost more to resolve. With hydro excavation, soil is loosened and vacuumed up to carefully uncover what’s underneath – much like an archaeologist revealing buried artifacts. The professionals at Waldstein Plumbing are specially trained in this technique, so that we can build a trench without harming your pipes, lawn or utility system!
One of the coolest aspects of hydro excavation is that we can use warm water during the winter. With traditional excavation tools, the ground is often too hard for machines to break through, but highly pressurized, heated water can pierce through frost and the frozen Iowa dirt! When you have sewer problems in January, the ground won’t thaw until spring, and that’s too long to put off plumbing
Got an excavation need? Waldstein Plumbing would be proud to help out with hydro excavation, even if you aren’t receiving a plumbing repair. As a family-owned and operated business, our team aims to provide a different caliber of customer service and workmanship than our competitors. Trust in our experienced plumbers for all your excavation needs, drain cleaning, water testing, and more! Contact us to schedule an appointment or to consult with a professional about your plumbing needs.
Hydro excavation uses highly pressurized water streams to break up soil while a powerful vacuum removes the loosened dirt. Mechanical excavation uses machines to remove the soil. Hydro excavation is noticeably more precise in digging around buried pipes and creating trenches.
It depends on how large the area is that you need to be excavated, but most excavation jobs can be completed within a few hours.
Hydro excavation can be useful when you need to locate underground utilities, expose a sewer or water line, dig a trench, or access a buried pipe for inspection or repair. This process is also used for potholing and daylighting, which can help identify what’s underground before larger excavation work begins.
Yes – cold weather doesn’t necessarily hinder our ability to do this service, because we can use warm water to break up solid ground when the temperature drops below freezing.
Nothing! “Hydrovac” is just another condensed term for the hydro excavation process.