How Potholing Utilities Can Save You Time and Money

Originally, portable vacuum excavators were used on job sites for tasks such as cleaning septic tanks and tidying up car wash pits. But in recent years, their use has expanded to potholing for utilities and cleaning valve boxes. This is in part because a backhoe or other construction equipment is liable to cause damage to utilities, leading to contractor fines. Locating utilities and ensuring they’re in top-functioning order will save you time and money down the line.

There are a number of advantages to potholing utilities in Roseville, CA using a portable vacuum excavator. Discussing your project with a licensed and trained underground utility contractor is a smart idea. That way you can find out more about the best way forward for your project.

Making certain you get the job done right

Having the right equipment is crucial for any construction project. A vacuum excavator that uses pressurized air or water to remove soil is a good choice for locating utilities. Though they might initially cost more, they’re the contractors’ preferred choice due to safety and reliability—which will save you money in the long run. Here are some of the advantages of this system:

• Avoiding damage to utilities: A low pressure vacuum excavator is less likely to result in damage to underground utilities than a backhoe. This equipment moves the water and air around the utilities, giving the contractor a clear view while the utilities remain unscathed. The fact is that when utilities are damaged, this results in hefty fines and work slowdown. Hitting a gas line or a water main could have catastrophic results, so you don’t want to take any chances.
• Doing line exposure correctly: Locators aren’t quite 100 percent accurate just yet. And state restrictions mean that there must be some amount of space, sometimes up to three feet, that is considered the safe zone for pipes. While a shovel might be okay to use when locating a pipe, it will damage a fiber optic line in much the same way a backhoe would. Using a vacuum excavator means that you won’t incur damage, while still locating what you need to.
• The right unit for the right job: There is a wide range of vacuum excavators, so you’ll want to talk with your contractor about which kind they’re using. For example, units that use water are typically going to dig faster and through a range of spoil types, moving more wet spoil into tanks than air systems do. This wet spoil needs to be dried out before being returned to the site. However, an air-based system doesn’t work as well in harder material conditions, such as clay. Other considerations include tank size and hose size, as these come in a wide variety of options.

If you’re looking for a local underground utility contractor, look no further. The team at Es7 Comm-2 U, Inc. is locally owned and operated and has been serving the area as a state-licensed, fully bonded and insured company for over 15 years. Contact us today for a consultation on potholing utilities in Roseville, CA or any of our other services.

Categorised in: Potholing Utilities

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