Utility potholing before you trench or bore.

Book a defined exposure.

A potholing request should say what needs to be exposed and why. A crossing ahead of a trench may need a small verification opening. A repair contractor may need working room around a damaged line. Several test holes along a proposed bore require their own access and coordination plan.

Mark each proposed point on a plan or site photograph. Include any known surface or depth information and identify who will use the result. That gives dispatch a useful scope to review instead of an open-ended request for a truck.

Locating comes before physical exposure.

Confirm the required 811 process and responses before excavation. Private lines may need separate locating: a facility’s own power, irrigation, or communications lines are not automatically covered by public utility marks. Missouri 811 explains the public/private distinction.

Hydrovac uses water and vacuum in place of a digging bucket at the exposure. It still requires controlled operation and precautions around utilities. The line’s condition and material, site conditions, and utility-owner requirements matter. Read what locating and potholing each tell you before deciding what the project needs.

Plan the truck position and the opening.

Tell us whether the surface is soil, gravel, asphalt, or concrete. Hard-surface opening and restoration need to be identified before arrival. Flag access gates, overhead obstructions, pedestrian routes, occupied buildings, and any restrictions on where the truck can stand.

Site conditions also affect water supply, hose routing, and spoil handling. Describe suspected contamination or special receiving requirements in the request so handling can be reviewed before work is accepted. For cold-weather planning, see hydrovac work in frozen ground.

Agree on the handoff.

Before the opening is made, confirm who will inspect the exposed utility and record the required position or dimensions. If an engineer, surveyor, utility representative, or repair contractor needs to attend, include that in the schedule. Define whether the next trade needs the opening available and who takes responsibility for protection and restoration.

Our hydrovac quote checklist covers standby, access, spoil, and completion details. For the trench that follows the exposure, review utility trenching as a separate part of the work.

Potholing in St. Louis and Jefferson County.

J1S serves the metro from Festus. See our St. Louis hydroexcavation, Festus hydrovac, and Jefferson County service pages for area information. Send the exact address, requested date, and scope so dispatch can confirm availability.

For other uses of the truck and the equipment walkthrough, visit J1S hydrovac services. An explanation of the process is also available in our utility daylighting guide.