Hydro-excavation
HYDRO-EXCAVATION And Air Excavation Services
Do You Need a Hole Dug…
- . . .to locate or expose an existing utility?
- Montana Drains utilizes both hydro and air excavation to expose and locate underground utilities like pipes, cables, and other infrastructure, without damaging them.
- …to create a narrow trench?
- Hydro and air excavation are both used to dig narrow trenches for installing pipelines, cables, and other utilities.
- …to install posts, or pilings?
- Hydrovacs and airvacs can dig holes of various diameters and depths for installing pilings.
- …to remove contaminants?
- Air excavation is commonly used to safely remove contaminated soil and debris.
- …to expose roots?
- Both Hydro excavation and air excavation are choice tools among arborists for things like root crown excavation, loosening compacted soil and transplanting trees.
- …to inspect your Sewer or make Repairs?
- Montana Drains’ vacuum and excavation trucks are equipped to provide sludge cleanup services for sewer and septic system failures, as well as drain field cleaning, rehabilitation and repair.
- …for Emergency Utility Work?
- Hydrovacs are used for emergency utility work, such as repairing damaged lines or locating leaks.
- …for Debris Removal?
- Hydro excavation can be used to remove debris from various locations, including construction sites, industrial areas, and after natural disasters.
- …but the ground is frozen?
- Hydro excavation is great when the ground is frozen. With heated water, hydro excavators can easily cut through frozen ground.
Call now to see whether Hydro excavation is right for your project!
Montana Drains Can Dig With Either Water Or Air!
Both Hydro and Air Excavation, are proven technologies often referred to as ‘soft dig.” These technologies utilize water or air instead of metal tools like shovels or digging buckets to break up the soil and rock. As the soil and rock are broken down, the loosened materials are removed using the truck’s onboard vacuum tank. When employed correctly during ‘soft dig’ operations, neither air nor water can penetrate non-porous materials, ensuring the undamaged preservation of sensitive infrastructure, such as utilities.
Benefits of Hydro Excavation
- Hydro excavation offers a safe and efficient method for exposing utilities while minimizing disturbance to tree roots and landscaping.
- Montana Drains specialized trucks vacuum up soil during excavation, transporting it off-site to maintain a clean property.
- This eliminates the accumulation of dirt on-site, ensuring a professional and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
- The collected spoils are disposed of responsibly, protecting you from potential fines and environmental liabilities.
- Specified dirt is utilized for backfill, restoring the excavated site to its original condition.
Benefits of Air Excavation
- In instances where hydro excavation is not feasible, Montana Drains can employ air excavation.
- Air excavation is a cleaner and safer alternative to use around utilities.
- The dry nature of the collected spoils during air excavation allows for their direct backfilling, reducing disposal costs.
Montana Drains: Precision Hydro Excavation Services
When traditional digging is too risky or inefficient, Montana Drains provides the ultimate solution: Hydro Excavation. Serving residential, commercial, and municipal clients across Montana, we use pressurized water and a high-strength vacuum system to expose underground infrastructure with surgical precision.
Hydro excavation—often called "soft digging"—is the safest, most non-destructive method for soil removal in the industry. Whether you are working around sensitive fiber optic cables or frozen Montana ground, we clear the way without the risk of strike damage.
Why Choose Hydro Excavation?
Traditional backhoes and excavators are "blind" tools that can easily rupture gas lines or snap utility wires. Hydro excavation offers a smarter alternative:
- Unmatched Safety: Because we use water to break up the soil, there is virtually zero risk of damaging underground utilities, protecting both your project budget and the safety of the crew.
- Cold Weather Capability: Montana winters don't have to stop your project. Our heated water systems can cut through frozen ground and permafrost that would break standard metal teeth.
- Precision & Speed: We can dig incredibly narrow, deep slots or potholes with minimal surface disruption, meaning less mess to clean up and lower restoration costs.
- Remote Access:
Our vacuum trucks can operate from a distance, allowing us to excavate in tight spaces, indoor facilities, or sensitive landscapes where heavy machinery cannot reach.
Our Specialized Applications
We provide versatile hydro excavation services tailored to the unique needs of the Big Sky State:
- Daylighting & Utility Locating
- We safely expose underground gas, water, and telecommunication lines (daylighting) so your team can see exactly where they are working before major construction begins.
- Potholing & Slot Trenching
- Need to install a new line or check a pipe? We dig precise "potholes" or narrow trenches for utility installation with surgical accuracy, leaving the surrounding soil undisturbed.
- Pole & Post Hole Digging
- From utility poles to signposts, we can excavate deep, perfectly round holes in a fraction of the time it takes for manual digging—even in rocky or compacted soil.
- Debris Removal & Clean-out
- Our high-powered vacuum systems are perfect for cleaning out catch basins, manholes, elevator shafts, and septic tanks without the need for manual labor.
The Montana Drains Difference
At Montana Drains, we combine local knowledge with industrial-strength technology.
State-of-the-Art Fleet: Our trucks are equipped with high-capacity tanks and powerful vacuum blowers to handle jobs of any scale.
Environmentally Friendly: We use only water—no chemicals. The slurry we remove is contained within our trucks for proper disposal, keeping your job site clean and compliant.
Expert Operators: Our team is highly trained in utility safety and precision digging, ensuring your project stays on schedule and under budget.
Clear the Way with Confidence
Don't risk a costly utility strike or a project delay. Whether you’re a homeowner installing a new line or a contractor managing a major build, Montana Drains is your partner for safe, efficient excavation
Contact us today for a professional hydro excavation quote!