Service 02 · Trenchless construction
Hydrovac Services
Use pressurized water and vacuum to expose utilities, daylight crossings and support drilling with less risk than mechanical digging around known lines.
What it does
Controlled excavation around buried infrastructure.
Hydrovac excavation breaks up soil with pressurized water and removes the slurry into a debris tank. It gives the operator a clear, controlled way to expose buried infrastructure and open precise working areas.
Syncore supports utility daylighting, potholing, slot trenching and directional drilling projects. Trucks carry long hose runs for sites where the unit cannot park directly beside the excavation.
Boilers help keep the work moving in frozen ground, and the team maintains the bonding and grounding practices required around energized infrastructure.
400 ftPublished hose reach carried on trucks
Year-roundBoiler-equipped winter capability
FortisApproved contractor training published
Good fit for
Where hydrovac earns its keep.
- Utility daylighting and potholing
- Controlled excavation near buried lines
- Directional drilling entry and exit support
- Cold-weather hydro-excavation
- Long hose access for difficult sites
- Debris and drilling-fluid recovery
Plan the work
Three things that shape the plan.
- 01
Provide the dig location, expected depth, known utility information, access restrictions and disposal requirements.
- 02
The crew will consider water supply, hose reach, truck positioning, overhead hazards and ground conditions.
- 03
For drilling projects, hydrovac support can be scheduled as part of the same underground package.
Hydrovac FAQ
Questions to answer before the crew arrives.
These are the questions that help determine whether this is the right method for the job.
01What is hydrovac excavation used for?+
It is commonly used to expose buried utilities, confirm line depth, dig test holes, open precise trenches and recover drilling fluid. It is especially useful when mechanical excavation would be too risky around known infrastructure.
02Can hydrovac work in frozen ground?+
Yes. Syncore's hydrovac equipment uses boilers to heat water for subzero work. Site access and safe winter operating conditions still need to be reviewed.
03How far can the truck be from the dig?+
Syncore publishes up to 400 feet of hose carried on its trucks. Actual reach depends on elevation, soil, excavation depth and safe hose routing.
04Can hydrovac support a directional drilling crew?+
Yes. Hydrovac can daylight utilities, prepare entry and exit areas and recover drilling fluid. Coordinating both services through one team can simplify scheduling.
05Is the equipment prepared for electrical utility work?+
Syncore publishes Fortis-approved training for bonding and grounding. The trucks use inspected bonding mats and the crew follows the project owner's safety requirements.
Start with the crossing
Planning a hydrovac project?
Send the route, pipe size, location and timing. Syncore will help work out a practical next step.