Hydro Vacuum Excavation Brisbane

Our vac trucks use pressurised water to break up soil which is then removed through a vacuum system and deposited into a debris holding tank to be safely disposed of.

At Provac we have a selection of vac trucks ranging from as little as 1000L trailer-mounted units to as big as 12,000L truck-mounted units. Our most commonly used truck size ranges between 5,000L – 8,000L units.

Digging safely with a vac truck is highly recommended when underground utility services are present within the area of digging. If you're unsure what lays underneath the ground, you should always call Provac to locate and map the area out.

Depending on the job's scopes, it can sometimes be quicker, easier and safer to use a Vac truck to excavate. The type of ground can also affect the time it takes to dig with a vac truck. For example, it can be much quicker to dig in and trough sand instead of digging in and through a rocky subsurface.

Our Vac trucks are all equipped with a suction hose and gerni wand extensions. All of our trucks carry a minimum of 20m of extension hose but can carry up to a 60m of hose extension on board. Our gerni wands can be adjusted from 1.5m in length up to 3.0m.

Depending on the type of ground you are digging in, one of our vac trucks can typically dig up to 3.5m deep. On some projects, our vac trucks are used to dig in holes that have been mechanically excavated and properly shored and benched for our operator's safety.

Yes, our services are often called upon by electricians and plumbers, who are installing new pipes and cables. We have dug trenches for some of our electrical clients that have been 1m deep and up to 80-100m long.

Yes, we are often called upon by fencing and signage contractors to dig the footings for new fences and signs that need to be erected around other underground services.

Yes, we have a top of the range Vermeer trailer mounted unit with a 2000L holding capacity. This trailer unit is towed by a 4WD and is used to access properties and all the hard to reach places where a regular vac truck may not be able to reach.

We deal with sewer waste on a case by case basis only. We can work safely around damaged sewer infrastructure, but we do not suck sewer slurry away from holding tanks and portable toilets.

A VAC truck (also known as a vacuum truck or suction excavator) and an excavator are both heavy-duty machines used in construction and excavation projects, but they serve different purposes.

A VAC truck is a specialised truck with a large tank and powerful vacuum pump that can remove large quantities of materials such as dirt, sand, gravel, and liquids through a hose system. These machines are commonly used for non-destructive excavation, where sensitive underground utilities and pipes need to be located and exposed without damaging them. VAC trucks are also used for cleaning out catch basins, sewers, and other areas where debris has accumulated.

On the other hand, an excavator is a heavy construction machine with a large bucket on the end of a hydraulic arm. It is primarily used for digging and moving large amounts of dirt, rock, and debris from one location to another. Excavators are versatile machines and can be used for a wide variety of tasks, including digging trenches, building foundations, and demolishing structures.

In summary, both machines are used for excavation, a VAC truck is primarily used for non-destructive excavation and cleaning, whilst an excavator is used for heavy-duty digging and moving of materials.

The two main methods of vacuum excavation are air vacuum excavation, which uses compressed air, and hydro vacuum excavation, which uses pressurised water. Both methods are non-destructive and are used to minimise damage to underground utilities and structures.

A hydrovac (short for hydro excavation) is generally not considered a destructive excavation technique. In fact, it is considered a non-destructive method because it uses pressurised water to break up soil and debris, which is then removed by a vacuum system. This method is designed to minimise the risk of damage to underground utilities and structures, which can occur with more traditional excavation methods like digging with shovels or backhoes. Hydrovac is a safer and more precise excavation technique and is widely used in construction and utility industries.

The process of hydrovac excavation typically involves the following steps:

1. Site preparation: The area to be excavated is marked out and prepared for the hydrovac truck to access.
2. Water injection: Pressurised water is injected into the ground using a handheld wand or nozzle. The water breaks up the soil and creates a slurry.
3. Vacuum extraction: A powerful vacuum system on the hydrovac truck is used to extract the slurry from the excavation site and put it into a holding tank on the truck.
4. Material disposal: Once the excavation is complete, the slurry can be disposed of in an appropriate manner, such as at a disposal site or in a designated location.

The process is designed to be non-destructive and precise, as the operator can control the water pressure and excavation depth, allowing for accurate excavation around underground utilities or other sensitive infrastructure. The use of hydrovac excavation can help to minimise damage to buried utilities, reduce project time, and improve safety on job sites.

Hydrovac is a non-destructive excavation method that uses high-pressure water and a vacuum system. It is safer, more precise, and environmentally friendly compared to traditional excavation methods. It is commonly used in construction, the oil and gas industries, and utility installations. Hydrovac allows for faster and more efficient excavation while minimising the risk of damaging underground utilities.

Vacuum excavation is the preferred method of excavation in Australia due to its safety, efficiency, environmental friendliness, compliance with regulations, and ability to protect the extensive underground utility networks in the country. It offers precise digging, minimises the risk of utility damage, and accelerates project timelines.