Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
On Akbarstraat, Schaapherderstraat, and Wiltzanghlaan in Amsterdam, 198 homes are being sustainably renovated and connected to the district heating network. To do this, district heating pipes must be installed beneath the ground-floor slabs of the five residential blocks. To create sufficient workspace, Kooiker Zuigtechniek, commissioned by Van Wijnen, is removing sand and soil from the crawl spaces.
Van Wijnen is a regular client of Kooiker Zuigtechniek. The companies know each other well and know what to expect from one another. “Because the soil at this site is somewhat clayey and wet, very powerful vacuum trucks are needed,” explains Rolf Koobs, manager of the Staphorst branch. “With our extensive fleet, we’re one of the few specialists in the Netherlands who can meet that need immediately. That’s a key reason why they chose us for this project as well.”
The work requires a specific approach. Traditional excavation beneath existing homes is not an option. Instead, Kooiker Zuigtechniek uses powerful soil-suction trucks, which are positioned as close as possible to the affected residential blocks. Special hoses are then used to suck the sand and soil out of the crawl spaces, after which the installation crew can lay the district heating pipes.
Based on the current situation, anticipated challenges, and drawings, the work plans were discussed in advance, after which a bid was submitted. “The work will be carried out in phases and coordinated with the renovation work on the homes,” says Koobs. “In total, there are about fifty ground-floor homes, spread across five blocks. At this location, we can extract about thirty cubic meters of sand and soil per day. Per phase or residential block, this averages out to about 100 cubic meters.”
The project demonstrates where specialized suction technology offers added value. Kooiker Zuigtechniek specializes in suctioning materials such as sand, gravel, substrate, and soil in areas where traditional earthwork is difficult or risky. By extracting material in a controlled manner, damage to cables, pipes, and tree roots can also be prevented. Even hard-to-reach locations are no obstacle. Think of crawl spaces, basements, and gardens with no back entrance. “With our suction hoses, we can cover distances of up to approximately 130 meters,” says Koobs. “This means the vacuum truck doesn’t have to be parked right in front of the door. That gives us a lot of flexibility at sites where space is limited.” The technology can also be used at heights, for example, to vacuum up and remove roof gravel.
