Is it time to replace old, rusty pipes? Or maybe a new, faster data cable will be heading into the community. Utility lines are everywhere in large cities like Edmonton, and not all of them have been identified or mapped for easy fixes and digging.

While things are beginning to cool down, the need for utility location services doesn’t halt because the ground freezes! Hydrovac excavation makes line locating in Edmonton accessible 356 days a year. The two services are a powerhouse duo that help to reduce cost and risks to a project.

While utility line location and hydrovac excavation are needed individually, they work well together. So if you’re amidst renovations, starting a brand new project, or are concerned about your existing underground infrastructure, here’s how line locating and hydrovac excavation can help.

 

What Is Utility Line Location?

Utility lines are everywhere! Before doing any kind of digging or work below ground, it’s essential to do some line locating first. Projects can range from planting a tree in your front yard to beginning a new commercial project.

Utility location services use specialized equipment to locate underground lines, namely ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic induction equipment (EMI). After line locating, the service provider will present you with a detailed map of the lines for current and future use. 

Line locating is helpful for all kinds of underground infrastructure, such as power, gas, telephone, water, and sewer lines.

 

What Is Hydrovac Excavation? 

Hydrovac excavation is a much less invasive and inexpensive alternative to traditional excavation, which requires manual labour and heavy-duty equipment. 

Instead, hydro excavation utilizes highly pressurized water. The water mixes with soil to gently remove debris or locate underground infrastructure. The water and soil create a slurry mixture fed back to a large tank for easy access and exposure.

Hydrovac excavation works for many projects, including pothole repairs, sign and pole installations, sewage repair, debris removal, and utility line excavation.

Since there’s no heavy machinery or sharp tools, hydrovac excavation is also safer than traditional excavating. The equipment even uses hot water heaters, so the water stays warm during use. This heat is great for when the ground is frozen, and other digging methods aren’t possible. And, since we can expect frozen ground for a good chunk of the year in Edmonton, hydrovac excavation is available year-round. 

 

How They Work Together:

After locating utility lines, hydro excavation helps to expose the utility lines to check on them, provide repairs or maintenance, remove them, or move them all together. 

Exposing utility lines needs to be done delicately, and hydro excavation reduces the risk to the existing infrastructure and mitigates potential damage. It has a high level of accuracy and a low impact. It works with even the toughest, hard-to-reach and small areas.

Once exposed, you can further explore and map the utility line. Since hydro excavation is non-invasive, the cleanup of the site is simple. With fewer labour costs, quick work, minimal mess, and low intensity, the overall costs of utility work go down significantly. 

 

Connect With IVIS Construction Inc. Today!

Together, hydrovac excavation and utility location services can make your new project or repairs go smoothly. Ivis can help take care of both services in one easy trip. Contact us at (780) 476-2626 or fill out our online form, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

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