In a previous blog post we implored people—especially skeptical contractors—to give ground penetrating radar (GPR) a chance. We explained how GPR is almost always the technology we use when scanning for buried hazards prior to excavation. But GPR isn’t just for scanning the ground. It is also the technology we use the vast majority of the time when scanning concrete slabs for embedded items prior to their disturbance. Many contractors have trusted our team of GPR technicians to tell them where it is safe to cut, core, or drill into concrete slabs to avoid hitting rebar, cables, or pipes, which could cause expensive damage.
That being said, there are sometimes instances in which we recommend a concrete X-ray instead of ground penetrating radar for concrete scanning. These instances are rare, but they do happen on occasion. There are some scanning companies out there that will tell you that there is never any benefit to having a concrete X-ray done, and GPR scanning is always the better choice, but this is likely because they don’t offer concrete X-ray services to their customers. They have invested heavily in ground penetrating radar and don’t want to lose business to customers who are looking for concrete X-ray, so they try to convince people that X-ray is the technology of the past, while GPR is the technology of today.
Here at Enhanced Scanning, we haven’t put all our eggs in one basket when it comes to investing in scanning tools because we know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to locating unseen hazards. GPR is great, but it isn’t always the right tool for the job. For example, GPR doesn’t provide the same type of image clarity that X-ray does. If you are a contractor who needs to disturb a highly congested concrete slab in a very specific area, we will likely recommend a concrete X-ray over a GPR scan, since the images provided by a concrete X-ray are higher resolution than those provided by a GPR scan.
Whenever we consult with clients on concrete scanning projects, we do so with their specific project in mind. We don’t come in assuming we’ll use a certain type of technology, but instead, look at all the factors to determine what type of technology is best suited for that specific project. So, if we tell you a concrete X-ray is what you need in order for us to provide you with the deliverables you’re looking for, it’s because we truly believe it will yield the best results.
If you need your concrete scanned for an upcoming project, contact us at Enhanced Scanning to schedule service. We will get to your construction site in a timely manner and provide you with fast results so you can move forward with your project.