What is hydro excavation?

Hydro excavation is a non-destructive digging method that uses pressurized water and a vacuum system to safely break up and remove soil. This process allows for precise excavation while reducing the risk of damaging underground utilities.

Why is hydro excavation safer than traditional digging methods?

Hydro excavation is safer because it minimizes the risk of damaging underground utilities such as gas lines, electrical systems, and water pipes. It allows for precise digging in sensitive areas where mechanical excavation could cause costly or dangerous damage.

What is hydro excavation used for?

Hydro excavation is commonly used for utility locating, trenching, potholing, daylighting, and excavation around sensitive infrastructure. It is also used in environmental and industrial applications where precision and safety are required.

Does hydro excavation damage underground utilities?

No, hydro excavation is specifically designed to reduce the risk of damage to underground utilities. The controlled water pressure and vacuum system allow soil to be removed carefully around buried infrastructure.

What types of soil can hydro excavation handle?

Hydro excavation can handle a wide range of soil conditions, including clay, sand, frozen ground, and compacted soil, making it a versatile solution for many excavation environments.

Hydro-Excavation in The Carolinas

Q: How does hydro excavation work?

Hydro excavation works by using high-pressure water to loosen soil, which is then removed using a powerful vacuum system. The resulting soil and water mixture is stored in a debris tank on the truck for safe disposal or transport.

Dig smarter. Dig safer. Dig with Hydro Excavation.

CERT’s hydro excavation services use pressurized water and vacuum technology to safely expose underground utilities, pipelines, and sensitive areas without risk of damaging infrastructure which is perfect for:

✔ Utility locating
✔ Slot trenching
✔ Precision digging
✔ Cold-weather excavation
✔ Sites with limited access

Cleaner, safer, and more accurate—our approach helps you avoid costly repairs and stay compliant.

Our Hydro-Excavation PROCESS

CERT provides state-of-the-art hydro-excavation services on select sites as a superior alternative to conventional excavation methods. This advanced process offers significant advantages:

✔ Minimal backfill requirements
✔ Reduced labor force needs
✔ Faster site restoration
✔ Lower environmental impact
✔ Enhanced precision and safety

Unlike traditional mechanical excavation, there is little chance of damage or disruption to critical underground utilities when pressure washing and high-power vacuuming are utilized to excavate.

Hydro-excavation allows CERT to penetrate various soil conditions, depths, widths and angles, while preserving natural surroundings. Hydro-excavation equipment is directed at the desired excavation point while the soil slurry is vacuumed into a vacuum truck to be contained and/or transported off-site. The entire excavation process requires minimal backfill, labor force, restoration and environmental impact.

What we dig — and why it matters

Hydro-excavation is the right tool for any job where precision, safety, or site restrictions make mechanical digging impractical.

Utility locating & daylighting

Safely expose buried gas, electric, water, and telecom lines without damage or disruption.

Slot trenching

Precision narrow trenches for pipe, conduit, and cable installation in congested corridors.

Tree & root zone work

Excavate safely around tree root systems without mechanical damage to preserve landscaping.

Cold-weather excavation

Hot water capability allows work in frozen ground conditions where mechanical equipment struggles.

Pole & sign installation

Bore precise diameter holes for utility poles, signs, and foundations without over-excavating.

Environmental investigation

Minimize site disturbance during soil sampling, monitoring well installation, and remediation wor

Who we work with

Oil & Gas

Utilities & Power

Telecommunications

Municipal / DOT

Construction

Environmental

Industrial Plants

Commercial Real Estate

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does hydro-excavation work?

Hydro-excavation uses a high-pressure water jet to break up soil, while a powerful industrial vacuum simultaneously removes the resulting slurry into a debris tank on the truck. The excavated material is safely contained and can be transported off-site or reused as backfill.

Is it safe around underground utilities?

Yes — this is one of the primary advantages. Unlike mechanical equipment, pressurized water will not cut or rupture utility lines, pipes, or cables. It’s the preferred method for utility daylighting and is recommended by most utility locating standards.

What soil conditions can you work in?

CERT’s hydro-excavation equipment handles clay, sandy soils, rocky soils, and even frozen ground using heated water. We can work at various depths and angles, making it suitable for most soil types encountered in the Carolinas and surrounding regions.

How is the excavated material handled?

The soil slurry is vacuumed directly into our truck’s debris tank. Depending on the project and soil conditions, material can be retained for backfill or transported off-site for proper disposal — keeping your work area clean throughout the job.

Do you offer emergency hydro-excavation services?

Yes. CERT offers 24-hour emergency response. Whether you have an urgent utility exposure need, a spill response situation requiring excavation, or a time-critical construction deadline, our team is available around the clock at 877-505-6799.

What areas does CERT Serve?

CERT is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, and serves the Carolinas and broader Southeast region. Contact us directly to confirm service availability for your specific location and project needs.