If you’re planning utility installs, daylighting, pole holes, or trenching in the Lower Mainland, the excavation method you choose sets the tone for safety, timelines, and cost. Hydrovac and mechanical digging both remove soil, but they’re very different in risk profile and precision.
Hydrovac uses a water lance to liquefy soil while a high-vacuum boom removes spoil into a sealed debris tank. It’s precise, keeps utility coatings intact, and works in tight, low-impact setups like boulevards, laneways, and urban sidewalks.
Best for:
Benefits:
Limitations:
Mechanical uses buckets or augers to remove large volumes quickly. It’s efficient on greenfields and utility-clear zones.
Best for:
Benefits:
Limitations:
| Feature | Hydrovac Excavation | Mechanical Digging |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Precision near utilities | Bulk soil removal |
| Risk of strikes | Very low | Moderate to high near services |
| Footprint | Small | Larger |
| Best use case | Urban corridors, locates, pole holes | Open sites, bulk trenches |
| Surface impact | Minimal | Higher, more restoration |
Is hydrovac required by law near utilities?
Not always, but many owners and municipalities specify hydrovac for exposing buried plant before mechanical work.
Can hydrovac work in rain or on night shifts?
Yes. Crews frequently run in wet conditions and off-peak hours to reduce traffic impacts.
What happens to the slurry?
Spoil is vacuumed into the truck and hauled to approved disposal sites per municipal rules.
Ready for a safe dig?
Speak with Lo-Vac’s hydrovac team for a quick scope and schedule: (604) 805-SUCK (7825).
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