03 / Non-destructive digging

Non-Destructive Digging (Vac Truck)

When you need to dig near live gas, water, power or comms, our vacuum excavation truck does it without the risk of a strike. It sucks the soil out cleanly instead of cutting through it, so the services stay intact and the site stays tidy, across the Mornington Peninsula and South East Melbourne.

Safe around live services Tight-access capable Call (03) 5978 0120
Hoad Drainage vacuum excavation truck with the operator working on site.

What we do

Dig near live services without the risk

Our vac truck breaks up the ground with water or air and vacuums the soil straight out, instead of a machine bucket cutting through whatever's down there. That means we can pothole, clean out pits and pier holes, and get into tight spots a machine can't reach, all without damaging the services around them.

  • Safe digging around live gas, water, power and comms
  • Potholing to locate and expose services
  • Pit, pier-hole and trench cleaning
  • Access for tight or sensitive sites
  • Clean, low-disturbance excavation
Enquire about the vac truck

How it works

Safe excavation, step by step.

Careful work by design. Here's how a vac truck job runs.

1

Locate services

We identify what's underground first, so we know exactly what we're working around before a thing is disturbed.

2

Set up on site

We position the truck and set up so the dig is controlled, clean and contained, even in tight or busy spots.

3

Vacuum excavate

Water or air breaks up the soil and the vacuum lifts it straight into the truck, exposing services without touching them.

4

Expose & tidy up

Services are exposed and ready for the next stage, and we leave the site clean rather than covered in spoil.

Rear of the Hoad Drainage vacuum excavation truck on a job site.

When to use it

Jobs the vac truck is made for

If there's any doubt about what's under the ground, non-destructive digging is the safe way to find out. It's the right tool any time a strike would be costly or dangerous.

  • Potholing to find and expose services before you dig
  • Digging near gas, water, power or comms
  • Cleaning out pits, pier holes and trenches
  • Tight, awkward or sensitive access
  • Sites where a clean, low-disturbance dig matters
Enquire about the vac truck

Frequently asked

Vac truck questions.

What is non-destructive digging?

Non-destructive digging, or vacuum excavation, uses high-pressure water or air to break up the soil and a powerful vacuum to suck it out, instead of cutting through the ground with a machine bucket. It exposes what's underground without damaging it, which makes it the safe way to dig around live services.

Why use a vac truck instead of an excavator?

Around live gas, water, power and comms, a machine bucket risks a strike, which is dangerous and expensive. A vac truck removes the soil cleanly and leaves the services intact, so it's the right call for potholing, working near assets and getting into tight or sensitive spots a machine can't.

What do you use the vac truck for?

Potholing to locate and expose services before you dig, cleaning out pits, pier holes and trenches, and excavating in tight access or sensitive sites. It's clean, low-disturbance and leaves the site tidy.

Can you work in tight access?

Yes. The suction hose reaches spots a machine can't get to, so we can excavate in tight, awkward or sensitive locations without tearing up everything around them.

Got a different question? Drop a line or call (03) 5978 0120.

More of what we do

Related services.

01

CCTV Drain Inspections

Locate and inspect a line before you expose it with the vac truck.

 02

Blocked Drains & Jetting

Fast clearing of blocked sewer, stormwater and sink drains.

 04

Sewer & Stormwater

Connections, renewals and repairs once the line is safely exposed.

 05

Civil, Unit & Commercial

Full underground drainage for builders, developers and commercial sites.

Digging near live services?

Tell us about the site and we'll come back the same business day with the safe way to get it done.

Enquire about the vac truck (03) 5978 0120