Precision Hydrovac Digging & Non-Destructive Excavation in the Niagara Region

Safe, Efficient & Non-Destructive Hydro Excavation Across Southern Ontario

At Sid Grabell Contracting, we provide state-of-the-art hydro excavation services throughout the Niagara Region, including Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, St. Catharines, Thorold, Wainfleet, Welland, and West Lincoln, Ontario. Our team uses pressurized water and powerful vacuum systems to safely and precisely excavate soil, exposing underground utilities and creating trenches without risking damage to existing infrastructure. Hydro excavation is a non-mechanical, non-destructive excavation method that reduces risk, saves time, and minimizes surface disturbance compared to traditional digging methods.

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What Is Hydro Excavation?

Hydro excavation, also called hydrovac digging or hydrovac excavation, uses a combination of high-pressure water jets and a vacuum system to break up soil and remove it from the dig site. High-pressure water loosens soil and debris, creating a slurry that is immediately vacuumed into the hydrovac truck’s debris tank for safe transport and disposal. This method provides exceptional precision, greatly reducing the risk of damaging buried cables, pipelines, or utilities.

This controlled technique is ideal for projects where safety, accuracy, and minimal surface disruption are critical.

Our Hydro Excavation Fleet

We operate a modern fleet of hydro vac trucks, including two 12-cubic-yard units, allowing us to service multiple job sites simultaneously with speed and efficiency. Our trucks are capable of handling demanding excavation projects while providing:

  • Safe soil removal around utilities and infrastructure

  • Precision potholing and daylighting to expose lines without risk

  • Trenching and slot trenching for conduit, pipe, and cable installations

  • Remote excavation capabilities near utilities or in tight areas

Our experienced operators ensure that jobs are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with local standards.

 

Hydro Excavation Services We Provide

Our hydro excavation solutions are versatile and designed to support contractors, utility providers, and civil infrastructure projects across the Niagara Region. Services include:

Utility Excavation & Daylighting

Hydro vac is frequently used to expose buried utilities such as electrical lines, fiber optic cables, water and sewer infrastructure, and gas lines safely and precisely — without disturbing the surrounding soil structure.
Ideal for HDD support, utility locates, and pre-dig verification.

Potholing & Precision Excavation

Potholing — also called daylighting — uses hydro excavation to create precise test holes to verify utility depths before heavier excavation, minimizing risk and avoiding potential damage.

Trenching & Slot Trenching

Hydro excavation can dig clean, narrow trenches for conduit, cable, and pipe installations with minimal soil removal and disturbance.

Pole, Fence & Sign Post Holes

Need holes for poles, sign posts, or infrastructure footings? Hydro excavation is ideal to create accurate holes without needing heavy mechanical digging.

Cold Weather Excavation

Hydro excavation works in frozen ground conditions when traditional methods fail, allowing projects to stay on schedule year-round.

Debris Removal & Cleanup

Our hydro vac services also handle debris and soil slurry removal, making disposal efficient and reducing cleanup time on your jobsite.

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Why Choose Hydro Excavation

Hydro excavation has become the preferred method for modern construction and utility work due to its many advantages over traditional mechanical digging:

  • Highly precise and controlled excavation reduces the risk of utility strikes.

  • Minimal surface disruption, lowering restoration costs.

  • Faster and safer excavation compared to manual or backhoe digging.

  • Environmentally friendly with reduced impact on surrounding areas.

  • Effective in tight spaces or congested areas where traditional equipment can’t reach.

  • Emergency and scheduled services available to support urgent needs.

Because hydro excavation is both safe and efficient, it is widely used by utility contractors, engineers, electricians, and municipal crews working near buried infrastructure.

Our Hydro Excavation Process

We follow a structured process to ensure precision and safety on every job:

  1. Site assessment & utility locates to identify buried lines and hazards.

  2. Planning & execution, including safe setup of hydro vac truck and hoses.

  3. Precision excavation, using pressurized water and vacuum systems.

  4. Inspection and verification of utilities or intended excavation area.

  5. Debris removal & cleanup with disposal at an approved facility.

This approach ensures safety and compliance throughout the job, with reduced downtime and efficient execution.

 

Service Area – Hydro Excavation in the Niagara Region

We proudly provide hydro excavation and hydrovac services throughout the Niagara Region, including:

Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, St. Catharines, Thorold, Wainfleet, Welland, and West Lincoln, Ontario.

Whether your project is urban, industrial, or rural, our team has the capability and local expertise to support your excavation needs.

 

Electrical Safety Compliance (ESA/ECRA)

All hydro excavation work performed by Sid Grabell Contracting is completed in accordance with Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) standards and applicable Ontario codes. Our crews are trained in safe excavation practices and regulatory compliance for work near electrical infrastructure.

ECRA / ESA # 7009079

Working with a licensed excavation contractor ensures compliance with safety, insurance, and quality expectations for your site.