Ever heard of vacuum excavation? We thought not – but it’s about time you did, as this handy excavation method is a game changer when it comes to safe and efficient digging. Here’s what you need to know. So, what exactly is vacuum excavation? If you’ve ever tried to dig something up or out of the ground, you’ll know that it can be an arduous and challenging task, often involving manual hand digging or abrasive excavation methods such as traditional hydraulic excavators. Plus, it often comes with the risk of striking (and damaging) a wire, pipe or utility that you really didn’t want to hit. That’s where vacuum excavation comes in.