What is vacuum excavation and how does it work?

Vacuum excavation is a safe, non-destructive digging method using high-pressure air or water with vacuum suction to expose underground utilities without damage. SoftDig’s vacuum excavation services combine air and hydrovac systems for precise, safe locating.

What are the advantages of vacuum excavation compared to traditional digging methods?

Vacuum excavation minimizes the risk of striking buried utilities, reduces surface damage, and improves safety. It’s faster and cleaner than mechanical excavation and helps contractors avoid costly delays and repairs.

When should I choose vacuum excavation for my project?

Choose vacuum excavation services when working near buried utilities, in congested areas, or in sensitive environments. Hydrovac excavation services are ideal for cold-weather or compacted soils that require precise digging.

What types of jobs and industries benefit most from vacuum excavation?

Vacuum excavation is used across industries including construction, telecommunications, and municipal infrastructure. Contractors and engineers rely on SoftDig’s vacuum excavation services to safely expose and inspect underground assets.

How deep can vacuum excavation (air or hydro) reach, and what factors affect its depth?

Vacuum excavation contractors can typically dig up to 20 feet deep depending on soil type and moisture. Air systems work best in dry soil, while hydrovac excavation services perform better in clay or compacted conditions.

What should be done before vacuum excavation begins?

Before vacuum excavation begins, mark existing utilities, clear the area, and review site maps. SoftDig’s pre-excavation process ensures safety and efficiency on every project.

What other applications does vacuum excavation have beyond utility locating?

Vacuum excavation services are also used for pole and sign installations, soil sampling, trenching, and environmental remediation projects requiring precise, low-impact excavation.

What size and depth are typical test holes in vacuum excavation?

Test holes—also called potholes—are typically 8 to 12 inches in diameter and vary in depth depending on buried utility location. They allow vacuum excavation contractors to verify utility depth without damage.

Three workers in safety vests operate a large vacuum truck on a residential street, using hoses and equipment as part of maintenance or cleaning work. Traffic cones line the road in the background.

Precise, Low-Impact Utility Excavation

Vacuum Excavation Services

SoftDig® performs vacuum excavation for controlled, minimally invasive digging around buried infrastructure. Our process exposes utilities for inspection and mapping without damage.

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Two workers in high-visibility safety gear use large hoses to perform maintenance or cleaning work at a curbside, with one kneeling on the grass near an open utility hole.

How it Works

Proven Process Protects Underground Systems

Vacuum excavators use compressed air and industrial vacuums to dislodge and extract soil, leaving a small trench for utility access. Since 1959, SoftDig® has been a pioneer of this method, optimizing air pressure and suction to reveal subsurface assets while accurately minimizing ground disturbance.

Our truck-mounted hydro vacuum systems can cleanly trench to unveil pipes, cables and culverts 20 feet underground. The excavated soil is captured for simple backfilling. We also clear boreholes for geotechnical analysis.

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Advantages

Benefits Over Conventional Excavation

Key benefits versus backhoes or other machinery are reduced risk of service interruptions, enhanced worker safety, less surface impact and faster cleanup. The technique enables utilities to be mapped or repaired precisely versus blind digging.

Trusted Across Key Industries

From carefully exposing lines for repair to opening passageways for new infrastructure, SoftDig® vacuum excavation serves general contractors, civil engineers, municipalities, energy firms, and more. Trust our experts for critical projects requiring non-destructive access below the surface.

Oil & Gas

Electrical Distribution & Transmission

Department of Transporation (DOT)

Telecommunications

Renewable Energy

Commercial

Military

Education

Environmental

Healthcare

Construction

Athletic Complexes & Stadium

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Why choose SoftDig?

Dedicated Experts You Can Trust

With over 30 years of experience, SoftDig brings proven expertise to safely and efficiently expose buried infrastructure without service disruptions. We understand the costly headaches stemming from inaccurate utility data and aim to provide dependable visibility for your next project.

Our customers value working with us because:

Skilled technicians precisely locate utilities other providers miss
Custom CAD and GIS mapping accurately documents hidden assets
Solutions mitigate risk of delays, hazards and budget overages

For superior underground utility intelligence that protects your property, environment and bottom line, choose SoftDig. Discover why the largest contracting, engineering and industrial names in the Northeast and Texas rely on us as their go-to partner.

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Relevant Projects

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Department of Transportation

Delaware DOT

Overview Softdig does a lot of work for the transportation industry. Our Delaware department of transportation project consisted of designating and creating GIS maps of all utilities along 5 miles of a highway for design of roadway upgrades. This stretch of road was located in Kent County. Delaware.

Commercial

American Dream Meadowlands

Overview The American Dream Meadowlands project at The American Dream retail and entertainment complex located in East Rutherford, New Jersey covers 91 acres and is an example of a commercial industry job. On this job site, Softdig offered services such as utility mapping to recognized areas such as the amusement park and proposed hotel location.

Department of Transportation

Atascosa County Line

Overview The Atascosa County Line project was completed in West Tilden, Texas. For this project Softdig reviewed and updated existing utility layouts provided by the state by utility mapping and GPS surveying. Within 180,000 linear feet of data, there were 25 test holes performed that ranged between 0-5 feet, 10 test holes that were 5-8 feet and 2 test holes that were 8-13 feet.

Airports

BWI Airport

Overview One assignment that falls into our Airport Industry category is the BWI Airport project. The BWI Airport is located just outside Baltimore, Maryland. This project required excavating test holes to locate existing utilities adjacent to runways for re-grading. This work is performed at night, during weekends and shut down periods. In order to map the entire underground infrastructure a total 91 test holes were dug.

Department of Transportation

Camp Arrowhead

Overview Softdig’s Camp Arrowhead project was completed in a few locations the main job was completed at the intersection of State Route 24 and Camp Arrowhead Road in Lewes, Delaware. This project consisted of utility mapping an area greater than 12,000 linear feet. Softdig also performed 7 manhole and catch basin reports. Lastly, Softdig’s crew hand sketched all of the utilities that were mapped and turned them into a digital deliverable that is ready to be analyzed.

Research Facilities

Chestnut Run Renaissance Project

Overview The Chestnut Run Renaissance project falls under the research facilities industry. For this project we designated and located utilities for building, roadway, and infrastructure improvements to R & D Campus in Wilmington, Delaware. This work was performed under active construction and Softdig had to comply with the strict timeline set.

Environmental Remediation

Clearview Landfill

Overview Softdig has work history in the industry of Environmental Remediation. For our Clearview Landfill project located in Eastwick, Pennsylvania, Softdig’s job was to provide markout, GIS analysis, marking, and digitally mapping. Softdig compiled maps of the area for the protection of existing utilities during extensive soil sampling and groundwater testing operations.

Department of Transportation

Duval County Line

Overview During our Duval County Line project located in Kent County, Delaware, Softdig preformed utility mapping of an area of about 22.495 linear feet. In this area there were a total of 97 test holes dug, measured, detailed, and replaced. 62 of these manholes were 0-5 feet deep, 32 were 5 to 8 feet deep and 3 were 8 feet to 13 feet deep. Working with a little over 4 miles these test holes were done with precision and accuracy.

Energy

National Energy Technology Laboratory

Overview For Softdig’s National Energy Technology Laboratory project Softdig located utilities, performed test holes, and surveyed across both sites. Even though the project is finished, Softdig continually maintains and adds information to a working site plan that can be utilized for multiple projects. The location for this site is Morgantown, West Virginia.

Commercial

Hemisfair Park

Overview Softdig’s Hemisfair Park project was a commercial industry job. At this job Softdig located at already performed test holes to find utilities for designing upgrades that will change this park into a full urban district with multiple parks, residences, and local businesses. This project was based in San Antonio, Texas.

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FAQs

What is vacuum excavation and how does it work?
Vacuum excavation is a non-destructive digging method that uses high-pressure air or water—known as hydrovac excavation—to loosen soil while an industrial vacuum removes the debris. This process safely exposes buried utilities without damaging them. SoftDig’s vacuum excavation services are trusted for precision, speed, and safety on complex underground projects.
What are the advantages of vacuum excavation compared to traditional digging methods?
Unlike mechanical digging, vacuum excavation services greatly reduce the risk of hitting underground utilities. The process is cleaner, faster, and minimizes surface disruption. Hydrovac excavation also allows work in congested or environmentally sensitive areas, making it the preferred choice for contractors who need safe, efficient access to buried infrastructure.
When should I choose vacuum excavation for my project?
You should consider vacuum excavation whenever you’re working around buried utilities, in tight spaces, or where traditional excavation could cause damage. Many vacuum excavation contractors recommend this method for potholing, daylighting, or soil removal near pipelines, cables, or sensitive infrastructure.
What types of jobs and industries benefit most from vacuum excavation?
Vacuum excavation services are widely used by municipalities, engineering firms, and construction crews for projects that require precise digging or utility verification. Industries such as telecommunications, electrical, and transportation benefit most, as hydrovac excavation services can expose utilities without service interruptions or costly repairs.
How deep can vacuum excavation (air or hydro) reach, and what factors affect its depth?
The typical depth for vacuum excavation depends on soil type, moisture, and equipment capability. Under optimal conditions, hydrovac excavation services can safely reach depths of up to 20 feet. Dense clay or rocky soils may limit excavation depth, but SoftDig’s advanced rigs are designed to handle diverse site conditions efficiently.
What should be done before vacuum excavation begins?
Before starting any vacuum excavation project, it’s important to mark existing utilities, confirm line locations with 811, and review site plans. SoftDig’s team ensures that all safety and preparation steps are completed before work begins, preventing unnecessary risk and ensuring compliance with local excavation standards.
What other applications does vacuum excavation have beyond utility locating?
Beyond utility locating, vacuum excavation contractors use this technology for environmental sampling, pole installation, debris removal, and trenching in sensitive areas. SoftDig’s vacuum excavation services are ideal wherever precision and minimal ground disturbance are essential.
What size and depth are typical test holes in vacuum excavation?
Most test holes created through vacuum excavation services range from 8 to 12 inches in diameter, depending on project needs. The depth varies based on the location and type of underground utility being verified, allowing for efficient and targeted exposure of buried assets.