Excavations, the act of digging up the earth for various construction or research-related purposes, is a precise art.
However, given that many excavations fail to do an environmental impact assessment, projects often turn out to be more expensive than initially projected.
This is because the impact of environmental damage remains constant, mainly when the excavation is not carried out professionally.
Thus, the importance of NDD (non-destructive digging) is made apparent, as it will help minimize such infrastructural damage and negative environmental impacts. As such, conventional digging should give way to the former in professional practice.
What is Non-Destructive Digging?
Non-destructive digging, also called vacuum excavation, is an alternative system of excavation that’s environmentally safe and efficient, as opposed to conventional digging with heavy equipment that could inadvertently damage underground infrastructure and utilities.
The technique involves sucker trunks that use high-powered water jets, compressed air lances, and air suction to expose underground utilities.
For projects involving the excavation of storm drains, water mains, gas, and telecom lines, vacuum excavation is ideal.
Why is Non-Destructive Digging Recommended?
The major and subsequently overwhelming argument for vacuum excavation lies in its inherent risk alleviation. When excavating with shovels or heavy machinery, there’s a high risk of damaging buried utilities, spiking excavation costs, and increasing project duration.
Anytime internet cables, power cables, sewer lines, and other essential utility installations are involved (whether pre-known or unknown), the recommended choice is non-destructive digging.
Benefits of Non-Destructive Digging
Here are some of the main reasons why non-destructive digging techniques are highly recommended:
Safety
Today, non-destructive digging is regarded as the safest means of commercial excavation, as it reduces the risk of damage to existing underground facilities. In addition, you can safely check the condition and status of these projects before starting the project.
It’s a unique, safety-first approach to excavation, especially for projects in poorly mapped areas. During a conventional excavation, workers might suffer health hazards like electrocution and fires, which can be easily avoided with non-destructive digging techniques.
Environment-Friendly
In the 21st century, environmental concerns are more pressing than before, with the full scale of the adverse impact of human land-moving and heavy-industrial operations on show for all to see.
So, it’s more important than ever to carry out projects with one eye on environmental impact and ethics. In fact, it’s required by the law.
The most reputable and world-standard construction and excavation companies have a penchant for carrying out projects in such a way as to reduce negative environmental impact.
In addition, NDD techniques help risk mitigation that will benefit industrial, construction, or mining projects.
Time and Cost-Efficiency
If you go ahead to use mechanical diggers to excavate, you might be faced with a severe delay to your project in the event of damage to underground utilities. This is highly inconvenient as earth-moving activities and projects come with extremely tight, fixed time frames.
Even worse, you will incur additional unplanned costs to cover damages.
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