When it comes to construction projects, some of the most important work is done before any building happens. The plans are drawn up and finalized, the ground is leveled, and the foundation is laid. For remodeling projects that involve coring or cutting into existing concrete, there is another important step that should be taken prior to construction: GPR scanning.
Ground penetrating radar, commonly known as GPR, is a non-invasive technology that is used to scan for things located below the surface. It can find buried utilities, but it also works great to find things embedded in concrete, such as rebar, post tension cables, and conduit.
Ideally, you would never need to drill into a building’s concrete, but sometimes it’s necessary to make needed changes to a structure.
Now, could you just start cutting into the concrete and hope for the best? Sure. But that probably isn’t a great option if you value the structural integrity of your building. Doing so could also cause expensive damage or even personal injury to the one disturbing the concrete. Cutting into the concrete’s rebar can comprise the strength of the concrete. Hitting an electrical line presents a serious risk of electrocution.
For concrete slabs containing post tension cables, it is especially important to have the concrete scanned prior to disturbing it. Hitting a post tension cable can cause it to snap, potentially creating extensive (and expensive) damage to the concrete itself. The snapped cable can also seriously injure or even kill anyone who is in the unfortunate position of being nearby when it breaks. Even in the best-case scenario, where there is only minor damage to something below the surface of the concrete when cutting, drilling or coring, it can still cause the project to be delayed when repairs have to be made before you can move on with your project.
Not too long ago, our team completed a GPR scanning project of a post tensioned concrete slab. The owner wanted to drill in 130 different locations throughout the slab! If the contractor he hired had just started drilling, he almost certainly would have hit one or more of the cables. Thankfully, he had the foresight to call in our team to do a thorough GPR scan of the slab. We provided them with the information they needed to safely drill—which they did with 100% success. No cables were hit or even nicked!
As our team completes a GPR scan, they can mark directly on the concrete, or we can create a customized “map” of where the structural elements and utility lines are located. Our goal with GPR concrete scanning is to ensure your safety and the integrity of your concrete.
Contact us to schedule service or for any additional inquiries about the services we provide in Southern California and beyond.