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Septic Solutions: An Introduction

I recently bought a house with a septic tank for the very first time. I thought I was prepared, but I really had no idea what I was getting into. Shortly after we moved in, the septic tank backed up. I had to call for emergency septic services to have it pumped and taken care of. That's when I learned that I had overlooked some of the signs that the tank needed to be emptied. I created this site to share my experience and the tips that I learned along the way. My goal is to help others avoid the same septic problems that I have dealt with.

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Septic Solutions: An Introduction

Hydro Excavation? Questions And Answers For Homeowners Experiencing Drain Line Issues

by Camila Pena

Homeowners who are experiencing drain line clogs or other issues may have many questions and concerns about the repair process. One of the most common concerns is about the potential damage to their lawn and landscaping if heavy machinery is used to uncover drain lines for the purpose of making necessary repairs. 

Hydro excavation is a relatively new method that homeowners may want to consider when they want to avoid the damage caused by invasive, traditional excavation methods. If you are experiencing drain line clogs and would like to learn more about hydro excavation, here are some questions and answers you may find helpful. 

How does it work?  

As the name implies, hydro excavation utilizes water instead of machines with shovels, buckets, or trenching blades to cut through the soil. Pressurized water is pushed through a hose to loosen soil and debris, and then the resulting mud and liquid is vacuumed into a holding tank on a nearby truck with little or no disturbance to the soil's surface. 

Can hydro excavation be used in winter?

Many mistakenly assume that hydro excavation can only be used during seasons when the temperatures are above freezing. However, this is not accurate. The large hydro excavation trucks are outfitted with heater systems that preheat the water used in the process. The use of heated water allows the hydro excavation process to power through ground frost and frozen soil with ease. 

Will hydro excavation endanger underground utilities? 

Unlike sharp-edged digging equipment and trenchers, the pressurized water used in hydro excavation is safer for underground utility lines, such as electrical and fiber optic communication lines. Monitoring devices used by the operator enable them to detect and work around existing underground utilities much more easily than when using digging equipment, and water exerts far less risk than sharp mechanical digging equipment.

Is hydro excavation earth-friendly? 

Since water is the only ingredient used to move the soil during the hydro excavation process, it is an eco-friendly process. In addition, recent improvements to the process have resulted in reducing the amount of diesel fuel used to power the equipment, such as blowers, vacuums, and heaters. 

Will extensive backfilling be needed? 

Because little soil is disturbed, very little backfill will be needed after the hydro excavation process is completed. Unlike traditional digging equipment, lawn surfaces can remain intact without being disturbed or scarred. 

To learn more about the hydro excavation process and how it can solve your drain line repair issues, contact a septic service contractor in your area who offers skilled hydro excavation services. 

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