Utility Daylighting in Columbus & Central Ohio
Expose long runs of buried utility safely and efficiently.
What It Is
Daylighting is the process of exposing buried utilities along a continuous path — bringing them 'into daylight' so they can be inspected, repaired, or relocated without mechanical digging. It's the safe alternative to backhoes when utilities need to be uncovered over distance.
Based in Carroll near Columbus, ABI Hydrovac serves contractors and utilities throughout Central Ohio. Powered by American Boring, our team brings 30+ years of underground construction experience to each project.
Where potholing verifies a single point, daylighting exposes a utility along its full run. Hydrovac trucks cut a controlled trench or slot above the line, vacuuming the spoil as they go and leaving the utility fully visible and undamaged.
Daylighting is essential for pipeline integrity programs, utility relocations, and any project where a buried line must be inspected or worked on over a sustained length.
Key Benefits
Why contractors choose hydrovac for this application.
Full Exposure
Reveals the entire utility run for inspection or repair.
Low Risk
No mechanical contact means drastically reduced risk to the line itself.
Continuous
One truck can daylight long runs in a single mobilization.
Inspection-Ready
Exposed lines are immediately ready for NDT, coating, or repair work.
The Process
How we deliver this service from call to clean site.
Plan the Run
We map the utility path and plan the daylighting width and depth.
Cut the Slot
Hydrovac cuts a controlled trench exposing the utility along its length.
Inspect
The exposed line is ready for inspection, repair, or relocation.
Restore
We backfill or leave exposed per your project requirements.
Common Questions
What's the difference between daylighting and potholing?
Potholing exposes a single point; daylighting exposes the utility along a continuous run.
Can you daylight a live gas line?
Yes — hydrovac daylighting is the standard method for safely exposing live lines.
How wide can you cut?
Slots from a few inches to several feet wide, depending on the utility and access.
Related Services
Ready for daylighting?
Call dispatch or request a quote — we answer 24/7.