Groundvac uses a technique known as Hydro Excavation (sometimes also called Vacuum Excavation or Soft Digging). Hydro Excavation is an increasingly popular and non-destructive form of digging that utilises high-pressure water to safely excavate without damaging existing infrastructure. This includes any underground assets such as telecommunications, fibre optics, underground power and water lines.
Hydro Excavation is a proven and cost-effective method of locating, exposing and mapping underground utilities. Hydro Excavation can safely excavate in situations where normal excavation machinery cannot be used, and is especially useful for confined spaces. It can trench under paths, driveways, fences, concrete structures or those hard to reach places, minimising damage to surroundings and structures. In many instances this can reduce inconvenience and improve safety of the public.
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All the services listed below are carried out utilising the Hydro Excavation technique:
Benefits of Hydro Excavation in Mackay
Hydro excavation, also known as hydro vacuum excavation, has become a preferred method for projects requiring precise, safe, and efficient digging in Mackay. Unlike traditional excavation, which risks damage to surrounding structures and underground utilities, hydro excavation employs pressurised water and a powerful vacuum system. This non-destructive digging method is ideal for sensitive areas, ensuring minimal disruption and maximised control.
Precision Digging
Hydro excavation offers unparalleled accuracy, enabling operators to dig with precision even in the tightest spaces. By using targeted water jets, hydro excavation services can create precise trenches or holes without disturbing nearby areas, reducing the risk of accidental damage to underground assets like cables or pipelines.
Safety & Efficiency
Safety is a top priority in any excavation project, and hydro-excavation equipment supports this by minimising risks to workers and the surrounding environment. This non-invasive technique reduces the chance of accidental damage to utilities, ensuring safer work conditions and a streamlined process. Additionally, the efficiency of hydro vac excavation means projects are completed faster, reducing on-site time and potential disruptions.
Cost-Effective
Choosing hydro excavation in Mackay is a cost-effective solution. It eliminates the need for heavy machinery and reduces potential repair costs associated with damage from traditional digging. The precision and safety of hydro excavation services reduce downtime and repair expenses, making it a smart investment for any excavation project.
Versatility
Hydro excavation’s adaptability makes it suitable for a variety of applications, from trenching and potholing to utility line installation and landscaping. The advanced hydro excavation equipment used can handle diverse environments, from urban sites to remote or hard-to-reach areas, demonstrating the versatility needed for a range of excavation needs in Mackay.
For more information about hydro excavation in Mackay, explore our hydro excavation services for reliable, non-destructive digging solutions.
Location
Utilising high-tech equipment, our locating business provides detection of underground services such as telecommunications, gas, water, electricity, sewage and storm water.
Our hydro excavation trucks can then pothole or trench to provide 100% confidence in the mapping of these services.
Involves the use of high-tech equipment, in conjunction with our hydro excavation trucks, to create a detailed map of below surface utilities.
To positively, and precisely locate utilities so planning for new infrastructure, building footings or piling. This can be carried out with confidence by exposing utilities to confirm identity, size, number of services and depth without damage those services.
Trenching
Any width, length, depth, shape or direction in situations where normal excavation machinery cannot be used and is especially useful for confined spaces.
Trenching is a method commonly used in construction that involves digging a narrow trench in the ground in order to install, maintain or inspect a property's cables, conduits or pipelines.
Trenching is usually used in situations where pipe deflection has damaged pipes, such as sewer pipes sagging. The only way to rectify a sagging pipe is to excavate the area using a trenching method, then remove and replace the pipe after applying proper bedding and an adequate slope.
At Groundvac, we can dig trenches of any width, length, depth, shape or direction in situations where it's not possible to use normal excavation machinery.
Our services are especially useful for confined areas of your property that are difficult to access, so if you're embarking on an excavation project in a small space, give our experienced team a call to learn more about our trenching services.
Potholing
Exposing utilities to confirm identity, size, number of services, and depth without damaging those services.
Potholing is essential when locating underground utilities, including telecommunication and electricity cables, water lines, and many other services necessary for civil earthworks. It is considered the safest method to find underground utilities.
Before construction starts, potholing is carried out by digging holes (generally 30 cm deep) to determine the precise location, depth, and type of power lines and pipes under the surface.
In the past, charts and other methods were used, which increased the chances of digging in the wrong place. Aside from wasting energy and time, incorrect excavation could lead to danger, outages or electrical damage to workers due to power or utility lines being struck.
Hydro potholing is a non-destructive digging technique that regularly reaches and exposes underground assets for repair, replacement, and maintenance purposes using a combination of vacuum technology and pressure systems.
In many ways, hydro excavation is similar to vacuum excavation, but it offers additional advantages. Instead of air, water is used to remove dirt. This innovative yet straightforward change improves the results with both accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, it works with the majority of soil types and reduces employee and environmental risk even more.
We offer safe and reliable potholing services used on a vast range of construction sites in the plumbing, telecommunications, and electrical industries.
High Pressure Water Cleaning
Of machinery, wash-out pits, drains and tanks. BMA compliant. Residential pressure cleaning of driveways and paths, pool surrounds and patios are catered for.
Mackay and surroiundfs pressure cleaning services
High-pressure cleaning is one of the quickest and most effective ways of ensuring your property looks spotless on the outside too! At Groundvac we use a range of high-spec jet washing equipment, suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial cleaning. We can pressure wash driveways for residential properties, as well as patios, paths and tiles. We also provide industrial pressure washing services for businesses that have machinery, tanks or drains which need some tough cleaning. All of our work is BMA compliant and we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and expert cleaning techniques. Pressure cleaning is an ideal solution for tough to get at spots or outdoor spaces which aren't regularly cleaned including:
If you're unsure of the best method to clean the exterior of your property or outdoor living space, call our friendly team and we can advise you on the best solution and whether high-pressure washing is a good option for you.
Septic Tank Cleaning
Residential and commercial septic tank waste and grease trap removal.
Any environmentally conscious property owner will know that installing a septic tank in your home is a great way to cut down your carbon emissions. However, in order for your septic tank to function optimally, it's essential to make sure that it is thoroughly cleaned out on a regular basis by a licensed professional.
It can be extremely difficult to detect how deep the layers of sludge and scum in your tank are without professional equipment, which is why our team at Groundvac offers residential and commercial septic tank waste removal services that you can depend on. Allow us to take the task out of your hands.
Our EPA licensed experts can clean septic tanks of up to any size and will remove any layers of scum and sludge that have built up over time.
Every year or two, or when the layer of scum in your tank reaches 6-8 inches, it's time to give us a call to give your septic tank a deep clean so that your wastewater system can operate seamlessly.
It's important to ensure your septic tank is cleaned regularly before any issues become too extreme.
Vacuum Loading
Can remove unwanted waste from drains, pits, tanks and silt traps. All waste is removed to the truck's holding tank. EPA licensed.
If you're working in a confined space, backhoes, diggers and other traditional debris removal methods for removing loose materials, sludge and hazardous liquids from your silt traps, tanks, pits or drains simply aren't practical. Vacuum loading, however, offers a safe and cost-effective solution that requires minimal manual effort.
At Groundvac, we use state-of-the-art vacuum loading trucks that consist of a tank and a pump to suck out any unwanted solid or liquid debris from your drains and deposit it in the storage tank attached. Our truck will then transport this debris to one of our approved deposit sites to be disposed of safely.
Our EPA-licensed team is here to provide you with an efficient and affordable waste removal service that you can rely on, so if you have any questions or specific requirements, please don't hesitate to let us know.
Drain Cleaning
Pipes and drains up to 300mm are cleaned with special drain cleaning nozzles. Larger pipes can be manually cleaned.
Professional drain cleaning in Mackay
At Groundvac, we're proud to offer a range of professional drain cleaning services to our clients in Mackay and the surrounding areas. Whether your drains smell strange, aren't emptying properly or you think you may have blocked pipes, we're here to help. We use a range of specialised cleaning nozzles, tools and manual cleaning techniques to remove any blockages from drains up to 300mm.
We can also clean larger pipes and drains manually if you're having any issues. If you've tried a plunger or some drain unblocking liquid and it just won't do the job, it's time to call our professionals here at Groundvac. Drains can become blocked over time for many reasons including a build-up of leaves, sticks, debris, hair, grease and litter and this can lead to problems with the water supply, pressure and could damage your property. If you've noticed unusual or unpleasant smells from your drains, your sink is taking longer to clear or water is pooling outside your property, call our drain cleaning experts today!
Hydro excavation, or vacuum excavation, is the process of using pressurised water to remove soil – this turns it into slurry, which the excavating operator could then easily vacuum away. This reveals more layers of soil, and the operator might repeat the hydro excavation process until they reach a pipe or utility system.
This form of excavation can circumvent the specific limitations which other digging processes have, making this a strong alternative approach to excavation projects. As a form of non-destructive digging with virtually no risk of damaging the nearby infrastructure, many construction firms now make use of this method.
The main advantage of hydro excavation is its flexibility – it can quickly excavate an area without loud volumes or destructive digging. Pressurised water is a useful excavation tool that clears a path for other workers, with a greater standard of accuracy; hot water also allows it to be equally effective in winter.
This is also a far less labour-intensive approach than other digging methods, and vacuuming the slurry instead of transporting it via dump truck saves a lot of time. There are various risk factors for most forms of digging to contend with, but hydro excavation is a much safer technique.
Construction workers and other contractors may use hydro excavation to clear the soil in anticipation of a new build, or they could excavate for the purpose of easily accessing a sensitive pipe. Manual digging, with a shovel or excavator, for example, could cause significant property damage if you aren’t cautious.
Companies could also use hydro excavation to neatly slot a sign or pole into the ground, or could instead use it to create an opening through which they install piping. Daylighting is another application for hydro excavation, where contractors expose current utility lines before starting additional work on the infrastructure.
The hydro excavation process begins with a vacuum truck, which uses pressurised water jets on the designated area to soften the soil and turn it into a more manageable slurry. This may be especially useful for firm ground which would otherwise require potentially dangerous physical excavation with other digging tools.
Once the water turns the soil into slurry, the truck vacuums it up to avoid a lengthy removal process; they may repeat this to penetrate deeper into the ground. Once the work is over, the truck then releases the slurry, and this usually drains and returns to soil over time.
Various industries make use of hydro excavation services to conduct their usual tasks, with construction at the core of this. For example, a construction or plumbing company might need to check the underground pipes, or otherwise alter them, so hydro excavation gives them easy access without any risks or danger.
The engineering sector, particularly civil engineering, can similarly use hydro excavation to manage any soil obstructions on a project, or for subsurface engineers to conduct work on or around utility lines. Telecommunications companies might also make use of hydro excavation to assist with fibre optic cable installation without causing significant disruption.
Hydro excavation services are versatile and can support a range of projects, especially those that require careful excavation around sensitive underground utilities. This method is used in utility line installations, daylighting (exposing buried lines), and creating precise trenches for pipes and cables. Hydro vac excavation is also ideal for projects in confined spaces or areas with challenging soil conditions, offering a safe and effective alternative to traditional digging methods without risking damage to existing structures.
Hydro excavation in Mackay enhances job site safety by significantly reducing the likelihood of damaging underground utilities like gas, water, or electrical lines. Unlike mechanical excavation, hydro-excavation uses a controlled mix of water and air pressure to gently break up soil, which is then vacuumed away with hydro excavation equipment. This approach minimises on-site risks and allows operators to safely excavate from a distance, reducing the potential for accidents and safeguarding personnel and underground assets.
Yes, hydro excavation is an environmentally friendly technique that minimises soil disruption and reduces the ecological footprint on sensitive sites. This method relies on water and air to break up and remove soil, avoiding heavy mechanical equipment that could disturb surrounding ecosystems. Hydro excavation services are ideal for projects near water bodies or in protected areas, as the precision of hydro vac excavation helps maintain soil integrity and reduces runoff, thereby protecting surrounding natural resources.
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"Very professional outfit and service response was awesome. Very competitive on price I might add. I can Highly recommend Mackay Groundvac services, Russell is the man to see."
Kelvin, TeKowai
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"Very professional show and thanks again for helping us out of a bind"
Callum - Pentacon Project Officer
"I just want to let you know what an awesome job Dave did on Monday at DBCT. I was very impressed.
I look forward to working with Groundvac in the future."
Wade Neilsen - DBCT
Groundvac was Established in 2009, we are a locally owned and operated business servicing the Mackay and surrounding areas.
Address: 136 Nebia Coningsby Rd, Dumbleton QLD
Phone: 0427 691 716
Email: admin@groundvac.com.au
Operating hours: Mon - Fri 6am - 6pm
Outside these hours: on request