Sewer & Waterline Excavation
Non-destructive exposure for buried water and sewer lines.
What It Is
Buried sewer and water lines sit in some of the most congested ground on any job — next to gas services, electric, and fiber, often at depth, often in old clay-tile or brittle material. ABI Hydrovac exposes these lines with pressurized water and vacuum, clearing soil without ever putting a mechanical blade near the utility being repaired.
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.
Hydrovac excavation liquefies the soil around the line with pressurized water and simultaneously vacuums the slurry into a sealed debris tank. The pipe is exposed, undamaged, and ready for inspection, repair, replacement, or new installation — whether it's a municipal main, a residential service connection, or a deep sewer tie-in.
Because there's no mechanical contact, crews can work right against live water and sewer services without shutting down the surrounding system, keeping outages shorter and schedules intact across Columbus and Central Ohio.
Key Benefits
Why contractors choose hydrovac for this application.
Line-Safe
No buckets or blades near the exact pipe you're repairing.
Fewer Shutdowns
Work alongside live services without interrupting the system.
Deep Reach
Exposure to 12 feet with standard production trucks.
Clean Site
All spoils vacuumed to a sealed tank and hauled off.
The Process
How we deliver this service from call to clean site.
Mobilize
We dispatch the right truck for your depth, access, and ground conditions.
Expose the Line
Pressurized water clears soil from the pipe without contact.
Support the Repair
The line is exposed and ready for your crew's work.
Restore
We backfill or leave exposed per your repair plan — site left clean.
Common Questions
How deep can you expose a sewer line?
Up to 12 feet with our production trucks — deeper with extended-reach and remote-hose configurations.
Can you work around live water services?
Yes — non-destructive hydrovac is the standard method for exposing active services without shutdown.
Do you handle residential sewer repairs?
Yes — from municipal mains to residential service connections and clay-tile replacements.
Related Services
Ready for sewer & waterline excavation?
Call dispatch or request a quote — we answer 24/7.