The vacuum truck—or vac truck, as those in the industry tend to call it—plays an invaluable role in the operations of environmental remediation services (our bread and butter). It’s used in industrial, municipal, and commercial operations to remove, transport, and dispose of all kinds of waste materials. As its name suggests, a vacuum truck uses high-powered suction systems to remove liquids, debris, and sludge from places they don’t belong. But when is a mess or other collection of waste materials severe enough to require vac truck services? We’ll discuss the details in this blog.
Industrial Waste Removal
Every big industry in the world produces large amounts of waste—hazardous and nonhazardous—that require careful handling. When this waste is produced in industrial amounts, a vacuum truck is one of the most efficient ways to take care of it.
It’s essential for:
- Removing chemical spills, contaminated liquids, and industrial sludge.
- Ensuring the proper and safe transport of such waste, as well as disposal that follows proper guidelines.
- Meeting compliance requirements set forth by environmental agencies, helping to avoid fines and damage to the environment.
Though these services are important everywhere, they’re particularly essential in chemical-processing facilities, refineries, and manufacturing plants that produce hazardous waste that could post a health risk if handled improperly.
Flood and Emergency Cleanup
If a heavy storm with intense downpours strikes, the problems may not be over when the deluge comes to an end. Such an influx of water has a good chance of causing flooding—depending on a location’s infrastructure. If this flooding happens, untold amounts of damage to property could be caused. Luckily, a vac truck can remove large amounts of water to help mitigate damage.
Additionally, hazardous materials have the potential to be swept up in the floodwaters. If this becomes runoff, it could cause damage to local ecosystems, so it’s important to contain the issue as quickly as possible.
Construction and Excavation Projects
Precise—and more importantly, safe—excavation methods are a necessity at construction sites in order to prevent damage to underground utilities. A vac truck can be a big help here:
- It has the ability to perform hydro excavation: a non-destructive technique for digging that relies on water pressure followed by suction to remove the water and everything it knocks loose.
- It reduces the risk of causing damage to gas lines, electrical conduits, water pipes, and any other installation that may be beneath the surface.
Because this method doesn’t require the use of tools that may accidentally cause expensive and time-consuming damage, it’s become a top choice for construction companies.
Industrial Tank and Pipeline Cleaning
Plenty of facilities rely on vac truck services for cleaning—factories, refineries, industrial plants, you name it. Since sludge, residue, and debris can accumulate in industrial tanks and pipelines, blockages are a common possibility. Left untreated, however, they begin to cause operational inefficiencies and other problems. That’s why scheduling regular cleanings from a vac truck is vital to your business continuity. It helps:
- Maintain efficient operations
- Prevent costly downtime
- Adhere to requirements from regulatory bodies
Conclusion
A vacuum truck is as versatile as it is efficient. With applications across nearly every industry, it has quickly become a go-to choice for businesses around the world, and for good reason. It’s a fast, non-destructive way to remove and transport all manner of hazardous and nonhazardous waste. Whether you require careful excavation at a construction site or the removal of serious blockages in a pipeline, the vac truck is able to provide a quick, effective solution.
Did we mention we have a veritable fleet of vacuum trucks at ACE Environmental? Our drivers and operators are happy to head to your job site and provide expert vac truck services, so get in touch with us today!
