Pressurized air and water systems maximize excavation safety and efficiency
National Underground Group’s daylighting provides vacuum excavation services using hydrovac systems, dry vacuum excavation systems and combination trucks with equipment that control high-pressure water or pressurized air to break up and cut the soil, while a high-flow vacuum system lifts the soil up and out of the excavation area. This technique eliminates mechanical digging, which often puts work crews at risk and can damage subsurface infrastructure. This is especially important when trying to locate cross bores, lines that carry hazardous materials, or essential utilities.
Air and hydro vacuum systems ensure required results despite challenging operational conditions
Our daylighting systems can cut through any soil type, including clay and frozen ground. We use powerful hydrovac truck systems to excavate and work in areas with limited access.
To provide more comprehensive excavation services to our customers, National Underground Group’s daylighting uses air and water systems. Our air-vacuum system pushes air into the minute fissures of soil, while the air is still in a compressed state, and as the air expands, it breaks apart the soil into easily vacuumed particles. This system best suits excavations that don’t allow for the disposing of slurry created by pressurized water. With air, the spoil (soil mixture) stays dry and can be used as fill. It is also good in granular conditions when reusing spoil is advantageous or around high-pressure gas lines, some high-power electrical transmission lines and in areas where water spray could be detrimental to the environment.
The daylighting hydro vacuum system works by removing or moving soil with pressurized water. An air conveyance or vacuum is then used to transfer the soil or debris to a debris tank. The hydro vacuum system is more productive in more types of soil and is preferable when excavating clay, hard soils, frozen ground or where dust abatement might be necessary. And, because water acts as a lubricant, it reduces wear on the suction piping caused by the spoil.
Excavation systems suited for a wide range of earth removal applications
- Utility excavation safely uncovers inherently complex, expensive or explosive utilities such as gas and electric lines, fiber optic cable and water/sewer lines
- Potholing/daylighting eliminates risks associated with traditional manual or mechanical excavation
- Slot trenching digs precise, non-destructive trenches for installing pipes, cables or other in-ground utilities without damaging existing infrastructure
- Piling hole excavation uses a hydro excavation system to dig holes in any soil condition to the exact diameter and shape required, eliminating the risk of damage to underground utilities caused by augers or manual digging
- Cold weather excavation employs hydro excavation trucks equipped with heaters and provides clean, environmentally-friendly hydro excavation through frozen ground frost, minimizing labor, material costs and project days
- Congested area excavation uses systems that operate in tight spaces or congested traffic areas controlled remotely at safe distances from the excavation
National Underground Group’s daylight hydro excavation methods can also remove debris and pressure clean a variety of structures with minimal impact to the surrounding area. The non-destructive service is ideal for a number of applications:
- Cross bores
- Sewer lines
- Water lines
- Underground and aboveground storage tanks
- Waste water treatment
- Sump tanks
- Culverts
- Cattle guards
With an extensive fleet of vac trucks across the nation, National Underground Group offers an array of daylighting service options and is capable of handling projects of all sizes.
Service Lines
Pro-Pipe
Pro-Pipe provides cross bore inspection and pre- and post-construction inspections for trenchless installations. Utilizing advanced technology and sophisticated equipment, Pro-Pipe digitally maps (GIS) underground infrastructure, provides condition scoring for prioritization and assessment, and offers comprehensive maintenance and rehabilitation.
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Pro-Pipe
Pro-Pipe provides cross bore inspection and pre- and post-construction inspections for trenchless installations. Utilizing advanced technology and sophisticated equipment, Pro-Pipe digitally maps (GIS) underground infrastructure, provides condition scoring for prioritization and assessment, and offers comprehensive maintenance and rehabilitation.
Go to Pro-Pipe Go to Pro-Pipe Go to Pro-Pipe