Hydrovac Excavating for Safe, Precise Digging in St. Paul and the Twin Cities

When you need to reach underground utilities, repair a sewer line, or dig near buried infrastructure, hydrovac excavation lets you work with precision. Ultimate Drain Services uses high-pressure water and powerful vacuum equipment to expose what lies below without the damage that mechanical digging can cause.

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Call (651) 451-6001

What Is Hydrovac Excavating?

Hydrovac excavation, sometimes called vacuum excavation or hydro excavation, uses

pressurized water to loosen soil and a high-powered vacuum to remove it. The result is

a clean, controlled hole with the buried lines fully exposed.

Loosens soil with targeted water pressure instead of a bucket or blade
Removes material through a vacuum hose, leaving the area tidy
Exposes utilities without striking or stressing them
Works in tight spaces where heavy equipment cannot reach

Common Hydrovac Applications

Hydrovac work is a good fit for projects where accuracy matters and the ground is full of unknowns.

Utility Potholing

Confirming the exact depth and location of gas, electric, water, and fiber lines before a project begins

Sewer and Lateral Repair

Uncovering damaged pipes and connections so they can be repaired or replaced with minimal surrounding disruption.

Daylighting

Safely exposing buried utilities so crews can work on them directly and avoid guesswork.

Catch Basin and Manhole Cleaning

Removing sediment, debris, and slurry from storm structures and vaults without manual entry.

Foundation and Site Work

Digging around existing structures, tight property lines, and landscaped areas where machinery would cause damage.

Emergency Excavation

Locating and exposing a failed line quickly so the problem can be addressed before it escalates.

Why Hydrovac Is Safer

Traditional excavation puts buried utilities at risk. Hydrovac reduces that risk by letting

crews see exactly what is underground before any mechanical work begins.

Less Risk to Utilities

Water and vacuum action avoid the strikes that cause outages, leaks, and costly repairs.

Greater Precision

Crews can work within a few inches of a line, which matters in crowded underground corridors.

Less Surface Damage

Smaller footprints mean less damage to driveways, lawns, sidewalks, and landscaping.

How a Hydrovac Project Works

Every project starts with a clear plan. Here is what to expect when you work with our team.

Request a Quote

Call or request an estimate online. Share the site address, the goal of the dig, and any known utility information.

Locate Underground Utilities

Before any digging, underground lines must be marked. In Minnesota, call 811 through Gopher State One Call at least two business days before you dig.

Excavate Carefully

Our crew uses hydrovac equipment to expose the work area and confirm the position of every line.

Complete the Work and Restore

Once the repair, inspection, or installation is complete, we backfill and clean the site.

Call 811 before you dig. Hitting a buried line can cause injury, outages, and expensive damage. Marking underground utilities is a required step on any excavation project in Minnesota.

Serving St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Beyond

Our family-owned team is based in St. Paul and serves commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. Contractors, municipalities, property managers, and homeowners all rely on hydrovac work when accuracy counts.