Dig Around Live Utilities Without Hitting Them
Hydro excavation uses pressurized water and industrial vacuum instead of steel. The soil comes out; the gas line, conduit and fiber stay exactly where they are.
Three steps, no steel in the hole
Pressurized water loosens soil
A focused wand liquefies soil without cutting anything solid.
Vacuum removes the slurry
Spoil goes straight into the debris tank — no pile on your site.
Utility exposed intact
Eyes on the line, exact depth recorded, zero damage.
Why crews call us instead of digging blind
Safety
No blade or bucket near live lines. Strike risk drops to near zero.
Precision
Exact hole size and depth — nothing extra removed.
Speed
Minutes per test hole instead of hours of hand digging.
Less restoration
Small footprint means less asphalt and turf to put back.
Frozen ground
Water cuts frost that stops conventional excavation cold.
Clean site
Spoil goes in the tank and leaves with us — no pile to handle.
PA One Call & the 811 rule
Pennsylvania's Act 287 requires you to contact PA One Call (811) at least three business days before excavating. Maryland's Miss Utility rule works the same way. Once the marks are down, you still have to find the line inside the tolerance zone — and that's exactly what hydro excavation is for. Locate marks tell you roughly where; hydrovac tells you exactly where, without a strike.
Crown Hydrovac works after the tickets are in. We don't replace 811 — we make the dig that follows it safe.
Questions we get every week
How deep can you dig?
Standard vacuum excavation reaches [X] ft with our current setup, and deeper with extended hose. Tell us the depth you need and we'll confirm before we roll.
Do you work in winter?
Yes. Frozen ground is one of the best reasons to use hydro excavation. Hot water on our unit: [yes/no].
Do I still need to call 811?
Yes. PA One Call (811) is required by law before any excavation in Pennsylvania, and Miss Utility applies in Maryland. Hydrovac is what you do after the marks are down — it's how you find the line safely inside the tolerance zone.
How much does hydrovac cost?
Pricing depends on hole count, depth, access, disposal and travel. Typical structure: [hourly rate / minimum / travel]. Send us the scope and you'll get a written number back within 24 hours.
Where does the slurry go?
It goes into our debris tank and gets hauled to an approved disposal facility: [facility name]. Manifests available on request.
How fast can you get to my site?
Most scheduled work happens the same week. For live gas, water or electric exposures we prioritize the call — typical emergency response [X] hours.
Do you work indoors or in tight areas?
Yes. We park where the truck fits and run hose to the work — up to [X] ft of reach into basements, plant floors, backyards and fenced areas.
Are you insured?
Yes — general liability, commercial auto and workers' compensation. Limits: [general liability limit], [auto limit], [workers comp limit]. Certificates sent directly to your office on request.
Or call (717) 634-7544