4 Underwater Construction Methods That Changed the World We Live In

Structures and roadways under water require a highly specialized type of construction. Deep-sea construction may have a long history, but with the highly innovative techniques of today, some of the most cutting-edge structures are possible.

1. Pneumatic Caissons

These pieces of equipment are submerged onto the floor of the water and work to pump pressurized air from the surface. These structures allow workers to construct at incredible depths under great levels of pressure. This underwater construction technique is used for work on ship repairs, dams, and bridge piers.

2. Immersed-Tube Tunnels

The parts of these tunnels are sunk into their appropriate locations separately, and then put together underneath the water. The pieces are prefabricated and sealed to allow them to float to their proper spot and then be connected. Since they can be assembled together extremely quickly, this underwater construction method has become among the most cost-effective means of creating underwater train rails and highways. Special care is taken with the joints of these tunnels, which require additional waterproofing.

3. Suction Dredgers

These vessels can move material from water utilizing a tube and suction technique. A number of dredging techniques exist, but the most ideal ones are cutter-section dredgers that use cutting equipment at the suction inlet. Other forms of dredges utilize grabbing techniques, while others use dragging methods to move the earth. There are so many uses for this technique, making it among the more innovative.

4. Offshore Oil Drilling

Perhaps the most influential underwater construction method is offshore oil drilling. Drilling can occur at depths as much as 8,000 feet. There are currently 10 types of platform and rig systems in place, which include some that are totally submersible and others that float. Once these systems are in place they can conduct state-of-the-art projects such as 3-D seismic imaging, horizontal drilling, and enhanced oil recovery processes.

Underwater construction is truly an innovative science that can only be conducted by those with extensive training and experience in the industry. At American Underwater Services, we’re fully licensed and certified to perform a variety of commercial underwater and diving services for bodies of water large and small.

What to Keep in Mind Before Starting an Underwater Construction Project

Underwater construction takes on a much different spin than typical above-ground construction projects. There are plenty of things to consider before commencing an underwater construction project, including the service you use to tackle your specific job. The condition of water-based structures and the methods of constructing and inspecting them should never be taken for granted. Proper construction methods and equipment are critical to ensuring the structures are safe and dependable. 

Be certain that the team you are working with has the experience and expertise to provide you with all the information you need to ensure a safe and effective construction project.

You Need Experienced Divers in the Underwater Construction Industry

Not all divers are created equal. In fact, there are many different tasks divers can do. For this reason, each set of divers is trained specifically to tackle a certain job. What you need are divers that are familiar with underwater construction projects and the structures that typically need to be dealt with. Ideally, any divers hired will need to have some level of experience working with underwater structures such as pipelines, discharge systems, hydroelectric systems, traveling water screens, and much more.

Consider Multiple Solutions Before Choosing the Right One

Much like any other problem or issue, there’s often more than one solution for it. Our company has divers who have lots of underwater construction experience that can help you identify all the necessary information for the solution. After the inspection has been completed, we’ll create a report with suggestions outlining how to approach the job at hand. Ideally, we’ll recommend one solution out of all the ones listed.

When it comes to underwater construction, you can reduce the number of unknowns by using an underwater diving company that can actually carry out the project successfully. Many companies may have experienced divers, but not necessarily with underwater construction. Save yourself the hassle and headaches and choose American Underwater Services.

How to Keep Your Backyard Pond in Good Condition Year-Round

With each season of the year comes a different level of maintenance and care for you pond. Having a regular pond maintenance schedule in place can help you stay on top of any changes that might suggest a breakdown of the pond environment. Follow these suggestions to keep your pond healthy and beautiful every month of the year.

Spring and Summer

Aerating your pond during the hot months of the summer is important because oxygen tends to be depleted more in warm water. This can be done by adding an air bubbler or a second or third pond pump.

The filters should ideally be checked on a weekly basis, and the water should be topped up on a regular basis to avoid salt and mineral build-up. The pond water’s ammonia and chlorine levels should be checked weekly, and algae should be removed on an as-needed basis to prevent its growth.

Fall

Falling leaves is part and parcel with the fall months of the year, which means dead leaves can build up in your pond. These leaves can clog up your pond’s filter many times a day. You should be vigilant about removing these leaves to make sure they don’t accumulate. Leaf netting can make this task a lot easier.

Once the temperature of the water drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, start feeding the fish (if present) only once daily, and switch to a wheat germ-based food that’s easier to digest. Remove any fish or plants from the pond that won’t be able to survive the cold months of the winter. Disconnect and drain out the pump and filters, and drain the fountain and water lines if present.

Winter

There’s little pond water maintenance that needs to occur in the winter, as much of the work is done during the warmer months. The main goal in the winter is to prevent the water from freezing entirely. This can be done by installing an aeration pump or floating pond de-icer to keep an air hole open once freezing starts. Toxic gases will be able to escape through this hole. Leave a piece of wood to float on the surface of the water to prevent expanding ice by absorbing pressure.

Keeping your pond healthy throughout the year doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require vigilance. Rather than doing the work yourself, hire the experts in this field. At American Underwater Services, we offer convenient, affordable and comprehensive pond cleaning services. Contact us today so you can enjoy the beauty of your pond without having to do the work yourself.

Importance of Waste Processing Your Pond or Lake Water

No one wants their pond or lake to be littered with debris, nor do water supply companies want to take a chance on distributing water to clients that is unsafe to drink. Unfortunately, many bodies of water can be easily contaminated and filled with bacteria. For this reason, waste processing is a crucial component to maintaining the cleanliness and health of the water.

Maintaining Proper Water Chemistry

Achieving proper water chemistry is perhaps one of the most important pieces of the puzzle to maintain a certain level of health and safety of the water. The pH level should ideally be at 7, which is considered neutral and the ideal level for a pond. Anything above 7 is alkaline and anything below it is acidic. Any decaying organic matter will release nitrogen into the water which can be toxic to fish if the levels get too high. Any decomposing waste can produce phosphate, which is harmful to ponds.

Aeration

Fish food and waste can lead to an increase in nitrogen levels, but this can be dramatically reduced when aeration is provided and dissolved oxygen is infused to decay any waste. Fountains and waterfalls are popular pond products for aeration while also bringing a level of visual appeal to the pond. For deeper ponds, diffused aerators are best, as they use compressors to force air to the bottom of the pond, which is then is pushed out and up. When choosing the kind of aeration to use, consider pond depth and the availability of electricity. Ponds without access to electricity might not be able to support a fountain, unless you use solar technology.

Beneficial Bacteria

Any pond, no matter its size, can be helped along by beneficial bacteria. These bacteria assist in breaking down organic waste and converting toxins into nitrate. Even though these beneficial bacteria occur naturally, particularly in larger bodies of water, it’s still useful to add it to ponds when waste levels become much too high for the health of the water. When this happens, it can be challenging for aerobic bacteria to keep up.

Using professional pond cleaning services, such as American Underwater Services, can help ensure that your pond or lake is kept clean and safe on your property.

What Exactly Do Commercial Divers Do?

Commercial divers are not in the business of training recreational divers, but rather are involved in completing job-specific tasks. Commercial divers complete these complex tasks in waters that can be rather deep and murky, making the job a challenging one. Many businesses call us for commercial diving services to dredge ponds, inspect pipelines, and help with underwater construction.

In order to conduct these jobs, they require specific training and education in addition to dive training. Usually, this type of training takes place at educational facilities that are strictly dedicated to commercial diving services, and are organized under national boards for commercial diving.

Where Do Commercial Divers Work?

Construction divers typically work in harbors, bridges, ponds, or in other locations where construction companies build structures that are maintained in water. These divers also conduct underwater surveys to report on what’s happening in certain bodies of water, and even work on coastal protection. Many commercial divers are responsible for working on laying, inspecting, and maintaining cables and pipelines underwater.

The Importance of Dive Training

This type of diving requires specific training, and the use of specialized equipment. We use both scuba units and surface-supported equipment, in addition to a variety of tools and techniques, including welding.

The Expertise of Commercial Divers

Commercial divers can descend in waters up to 600 feet deep. For this reason, extended decompression times are necessary. Saturation diving is often used when these divers spend a long amount of time at great depths. In these situations, once their tissues are entirely saturated with nitrogen, their decompression time will not increase unless they go to a greater depth. After they’ve completed their shift — which can be upwards of 12 hours — the divers are brought back up to the surface and decompressed in a chamber.

If you are in the construction business and are building structures in or around certain bodies of water, contact American Underwater Services to find out how commercial divers trained in the construction realm can help you.

Why Choose a Professional Pond Cleaning Service?

Cleaning out a pond isn’t like cleaning a pool or hot tub. A lot more work and know-how goes into this project. You’d be well-advised to use pond cleaning services to ensure the job gets done in an efficient and timely manner.

Here are three reasons why you should choose a professional to get the job done.

1. Your Pond Is in Good Hands

There’s no trial and error when you hire a professional to clean your pond. Amateurs can make costly mistakes, but we’ll get the job done right the first time around. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your pond is in good, reliable hands. We do this work for a living, and have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to make sure the job is done properly.

2. We Have the Right Equipment to Do a Thorough Job

Unless you yourself are a professional pond cleaner, you most likely do not have the tools, equipment, and supplies needed to clean your pond. There are all sorts of specific materials needed for this type of job, including a variety of hydraulic dredge machines, vacuum dredges, cutter-head dredges, and auger-type dredge machines, and other products required for professional cleaning and installation. It’s in your best interest to leave this job to the professionals.

3. We Leave No Stone Left Unturned

Professionals in the pond cleaning industry don’t just clean — there’s more to the job than just that. We carefully dredge and de-silt your pond to remove the debris and return your pond to its former clean, clear state. We even take care of waste processing to make sure your pond stays beautiful.

Not All Pond Cleaning Services Are Created Equal

After you’ve decided that hiring the professionals is the way to go, make sure you choose the right company. American Underwater Services has been in this industry for a long time, and have developed the optimal strategy for cleaning any size pond. Our service is reputable, reliable, professional, and experienced, and should be your number one choice in pond contractors.

The Importance of Commercial Divers

The importance of commercial divers dates back to around 1250 BC when water exploration was just beginning. This practice has evolved into the profession that we know today. Commercial diving has paved the way into many exploration projects such as working with the US Navy to working with the gas and oil companies.  These projects are, of course, large in their nature. However, commercial diving exploration happens on a smaller level, as well. These smaller projects hold a high importance because they are the projects that are based around your local homes and businesses!

At American Underwater Services, our commercial divers are based on both smaller and larger level projects like pond dredging or diving even deeper to natural lakes. These types of jobs are crucial for commercial divers because of their unique skill set to attack the problems at hand. For pond dredging, a diver is needed due to the specific and unique nature of the pond. Pond dredging needs to be completed without disturbing the aquatic life while being effective enough to keep your pond looking clean and healthy!

Commercial divers are an important resource to have because they are trained to go into each job with a strong set of skills. They must work to preserve what needs to be preserved and remove what doesn’t. If you need a job for a commercial diver give us a call today. We will be happy to help!  

Choosing a Top-Notch Pond Cleaning Service

There are so many great benefits to having a pond on your property! They are beautiful works of art displayed on your lawn or business and can really be the focal point of your landscaping design. Nonetheless, as majestic as they can be, they can turn ugly rather quickly. Eventually, ponds just beg for a thorough cleaning: they can become murky and almost swamp-like!  That’s were pond cleaning comes in!

Choosing a pond cleaning service can be stressful. There is such an importance to routine pond maintenance that, as a pond owner, you may not be aware of. The benefits of having a clean pond not only stem from an aesthetic point of view, but also in creating a healthy habitat for your aquatic and plant life. Let American Underwater Services be your number one when choosing a pond cleaning service, as we will take the stress out of your pond cleaning!

Backed by experience and our positive client feedback, we’ve made it a mission to beautify both natural and man-made bodies of water. We go into every job with the right tools and knowledge to complete the job you’re looking for. Especially for our pond cleaning service, we understand that you want to maintain your pond’s existing beauty or get your pond back to manageable conditions. Call us today for your entire pond cleaning services! 

What do commercial divers really do?

A commercial diver is a skilled professional who performs underwater jobs for private and government organizations. Integral members of construction, inspection and maintenance teams, they perform tasks in a range of sectors from the oil and gas industry to municipal water and sewer departments. Many of the construction and maintenance assignments that they perform are similar to jobs typically performed on land. The expertise of these divers ensures that crucial systems are working properly, which reduces the risk of harm to the environment. The equipment that divers use depends upon the type of job that they are performing.

Offshore divers work in challenging open-water environments and may live on oil rigs or service vessels for extended periods. They install, inspect and repair pipelines, pumps, valves and other equipment. Inland divers work on projects in lakes, rivers and harbors. These divers inspect and repair bridges, dams and other civil engineering projects. Some divers undergo additional specialized training that enables them to weld underwater or work in hazardous environments, such as sewer and reactor water intake and discharge systems, which contain toxic chemicals and radiation. While scientific divers collect data for research and environmental projects, media divers operate underwater cameras for television and movie productions. Commercial divers may also perform marine salvage and wreck removal operations.

Sediment Removal for Commercial Bodies of Water

A body of water can be a commercial asset. However, water must be maintained! While pools and fountains need to be cleaned or sanitized, lakes, rivers and harbors will require other maintenance techniques to stay usable.

Sediment removal is one of the most important ways to keep commercial bodies of water in their best condition. This process involves dredging the bottom of the area to clean up any excessive sediment or other deposits that have developed over time. This process should be completed by commercial divers in order to ensure the best results.

There are many reasons to clear away sediment on a regular basis. To start, it is a matter of aesthetics. Bodies of water are more appealing when they are clearer. When too much sediment accumulates, the water will be noticeably clouded, which can hinder its appeal. Moreover, minimizing the amount of sediment at the bottom of a commercial body of water can be part of keeping the water safe. Less sediment carries less risk of contamination, and it can improve underwater visibility.

The process is also environmentally sound and economically tested. Sediment that is removed can be collected and reused. Salvaged sediment can be added to the coast in order to reduce the effects of erosion. With all this, sediment removal is a powerful tool to maintain any commercial body of water.

What Kinds of Commercial Divers Exist?

What recreational divers do for fun, commercial divers do for a living, laboring beneath the surface for a widely divergent range of industries. The numerous options present an equally broad variety of dangers that differ in severity from one job to the next.

Offshore Commercial Divers

Most of the divers in this risky category work for the offshore drilling industry, performing undersea exploration in addition to building or maintaining underwater structures.

Inland Commercial Divers: While some inland divers concentrate on bridge building and wastewater treatment, others specialize in such diverse areas as fish farming and hydroelectric plant maintenance. These underwater versions of civil engineers operate largely in rivers and freshwater lakes. 

Navy Divers: The duties of Navy divers revolve mainly around the offshore inspection and maintenance of seagoing vessels. When necessary, however, they may also assist in recovering plane crash and shipwreck debris.

Media Divers: The filming of movies and still shots deep in the sea allows for underwater cinematographers to wet their feet in the world of entertainment with no acting talent required.

Hazardous Material Divers: In what may be the most dangerous of all commercial diving positions, the duties of HAZMAT divers can range from pollution control to sewer maintenance and dead body recovery. The job can expose them to a variety of poisonous substances and waterborne diseases, and post-dive decontamination is routine. 

Scientific Divers: Underwater scientists dive the depths to measure, count, and collect samples of underwater organisms. Their duties may include surveying, taking pictures, and setting up study equipment.

With so many types of commercial diving jobs from which to choose, the field presents a wide choice to anyone in search of the perfect underwater career!

An Overview of Commercial Diving Training

Commercial diving is a hands-on career with versatile employment opportunities in underwater construction, marine salvage, and more. Training for commercial diving has several components.

1. Diving training. All diving training involves coursework on how to dive safely. Therefore, commercial diving training will include nationally approved curriculum about anatomy, diving injuries, seamanship, rigging and decompression. Commercial divers will also learn operation planning, equipment maintenance, dive logs, and more.

2. Commercial education. Commercial divers are expected to master advanced training with equipment necessary for underwater construction. This training will cover topics such as welding, mixed-gas diving, marine engines, and industrial safety.

3. Certification. All training must be completed with a school accredited by the ADCI. Some commercial divers complete a short-term certification program, which may last from two months to a year. Other training programs are offered as an Associate's Degree. These accreditation programs usually take two years to complete. There are several schools that offer advanced commercial diving degrees. Many divers pursue an advanced degree program after working for several years in order to broaden their career options.

4. Field experience. Divers who complete training will start with a basic ACD Commercial Diver certification. This Entry Level Tender/Diver certification can be advanced after logging field experience. On the job training is required in order to maintain certification and advance in the field.

As you can see, commercial diving requires a well-trained background and knowledge of the underwater world. From underwater construction, marine salvage, and more, each area of commercial diving is extensive and full of skilled divers and technicians. 

Industry-Leading Dewatering Services

If you’re looking for dewatering solutions, American Underwater Services can provide the answer to your water problems. Designed to separate solids from liquids and return clean water, while also providing the highest volume reduction available, our methods are efficient and effective.

For the maximum in dewatering, we employ a range of techniques:

• Geotextile dewatering systems
• Dewatering roll-off boxes
• High pressure belt press technology
• Centrifuge technology
• Screw press technology
• Grinders
• Screens
• Hydrocyclones
• Tanks

We also offer de-silting—the quickest way to return your pond or lake to near-original condition. Removing sediment removes accumulated nutrients and also increases water depth.

Using decades of experience, AUS looks forward to becoming a specialized member of your team. 

Working with your engineering, construction, and maintenance teams, we minimize client downtime and maximize budgets. Our service philosophy centers around how efficiently we perform the tasks you require, and by consistently delivering quality despite the challenges, we’ve risen above the competition.

We disregard the impossible and go above and beyond to ensure our clients are satisfied. When quality and performance count, you can trust American Underwater Services to get the job done right.

You can request further information about our dewatering services today at AmericanUnderwaterServices.com. Call us toll free at 817-377-8512 or e-mail us at info@americanunderwaterservices.com.

Expert Dredging Services

Need to dredge a body of water? With the extensive experience we’ve built up over the years, we can help you with any dredging task. We have a variety of hydraulic dredge machines that provide maximum efficiency and productivity to our projects on a daily basis. With dredge machines from 4” to 14”, we can handle a wide variety of common dredging projects, including:

•         Rivers
•         Lakes
•          Streams
•          Marinas
•          Industrial ponds
•          Homeowner ponds
•          Golf courses
•          Hazardous and toxic waste lagoons
•          Diary farms

The material we dredge is pumped into HDPE pipes for the proper disposal method, and we can pump long distances thanks to our in-line booster pumps.

Our standard dredge is 8 feet wide by 30 feet long. It’s winched backward and forward by hydraulics, with lateral movement being adjusted by the shore mounted cable system. For open water areas, dredges with spuds are used. We also operate special dredge machines with attachments for dredging ponds or lagoons with liners.

We perform our dredging services all year round! Contact American Underwater Services today to learn more about our dredging services and schedule your dredging work today! Call us at 817-377-8512 or 866-594-1272 for more information. You can also submit a request for further information here.

Underwater Construction Solutions

Looking for solutions to your underwater issues? American Underwater Services brings expertise in a number of commercial diving and dredging areas. From inspections to waste processing, we can provide the engineering, construction, and maintenance our clients require. More than 50 years of combined experience means that there is no challenge we won’t accept.

With more services and expertise than the competition, we work to build lasting partnerships with our clients. Our fleet of dredge machines, state of the art dive equipment, and high-powered underwater construction equipment ensure our projects will be completed efficiently and effectively.

With more than a decade of underwater construction experience, American Underwater Services has seen it all from marine salvage to dam construction. We offer innovative, cost effective, and safety conscious solutions for our customers with an emphasis on quality.

We can provide a host of underwater services, such as pipeline work and repairs, water intake and discharge systems, wet-wells, hydroelectric structures, waste water treatment plants, underwater coatings and more.

No matter what your industrial diving, inspection, salvage, or construction needs, American Underwater Services delivers everything you need for success. Contact us today at AmericanUnderwaterServices.com, or by calling 817-377-8512 or 866-594-1272. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!