Services

Hydrovac excavation provides greater control when working around underground utilities, helping reduce the risk of utility strikes, minimize ground disturbance, and create a safer work environment for crews and surrounding infrastructure.

Hydrovac production rates vary depending on the type of material, depth and size of the excavation, soil conditions, access to the site, and the equipment being used. Under typical conditions, a hydrovac truck can excavate and remove approximately 1-3 cubic yards of material per hour.

Hydrovac excavation is especially effective for precise digging around utilities and other sensitive infrastructure, minimizing ground disturbance and reducing the risk of damage. Our team can evaluate your project and provide a more accurate cost estimate based on the specific site conditions and scope of work.

Cold weather can make hydrovac excavation more challenging, but work can often continue through the winter with the right equipment and preparation. Frozen ground requires more time and energy to break through, which can reduce excavation productivity. Extremely cold temperatures can also affect water systems, hoses, pumps, and other equipment.

Hydrodig trucks can be equipped with heated water systems to help thaw frozen soil and maintain efficient excavation. Our team considers ground conditions, temperatures, site access, and the scope of work when planning winter hydrovac projects to help keep work safe and productive.

Keyhole installation is a minimally invasive method used in cathodic protection work to install or access equipment through a small opening in the ground utilizing hydrovac excavation. It typically involves creating a narrow access point to install components such as anodes or cathodic protection test stations without the need for extensive excavation.

This approach helps reduce surface disruption, restoration costs, and installation time while allowing cathodic protection systems to be installed in areas where conventional excavation may be difficult or impractical.

Cathodic protection performance is evaluated through field testing and monitoring to verify that the protected structure is receiving adequate corrosion protection. Technicians typically take structure-to-electrolyte potential measurements, inspect rectifier or power system output, and check anode performance and system connections.

These measurements are compared with established criteria and baseline readings to determine whether the system is providing sufficient protection. Regular testing and monitoring can also identify issues such as depleted anodes, poor electrical connections, or changes in soil conditions before they lead to significant corrosion.

The main difference is how the protective current is supplied. Galvanic cathodic protection uses a more electrically active metal, such as magnesium, zinc, or aluminum, as the anode. The natural electrochemical reaction between the anode and the protected structure provides the current needed to reduce corrosion.

Impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) uses an external DC power source, such as a rectifier, to drive protective current from dedicated anodes to the structure. ICCP systems can provide higher and more adjustable current output, making them well suited for larger structures or applications with higher protection requirements.

The appropriate system depends on factors such as the structure's size, environment, current requirements, and expected service life.

Yes. Hydrodig can troubleshoot existing cathodic protection systems to identify issues that may be affecting system performance. Our team can evaluate components such as rectifiers, anodes, test stations, wiring, and connections to help determine the cause of a problem.

Once the issue is identified, we can recommend and perform the appropriate repairs or system adjustments to restore proper cathodic protection. Regular testing and maintenance can also help identify potential problems early and extend the service life of your cathodic protection system.