Do you ever see commercial vehicles on the road advertising what seem to be extremely niche services, and wonder to yourself, “How does a company like that stay in business? Are there really enough people out there that need that service to keep a company like that afloat?” Maybe one of those company vehicles you saw driving around town was advertising ground penetrating radar services—also known as GPR scanning.
Surprisingly to a lot of people, GPR scanning services are actually in high demand. They are widely used in the construction industry. GPR scanning can also be a helpful technology for archaeologists. But on occasion, GPR scanning is something that is needed by the average residential or commercial property owner.
What Is GPR Scanning?
Ground penetrating radar is a technology that uses pulses of electromagnetic waves to survey an area, in order to discover what is located beneath its surface. It is a non-destructive technology that is safe to use around humans and animals.
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, “A GPR system is made up of two main components: a control unit and antenna. The radar transmits high frequency, short duration pulses of energy into the ground from a coupled antenna. Transient electromagnetic waves are reflected, refracted, and diffracted in the subsurface by changes in electrical conductivity and dielectric properties. Travel times of those waves are analyzed to give depths, geometry, and material type information.”
GPR Scanning for Homeowners
If you’re someone who does DIY projects around your house on occasion, you might someday need to call in a GPR scanning company. Most often, GPR scanning is needed prior to doing any sort of excavation or digging. You want to avoid hitting power lines, gas lines, or anything else that might be buried in the area in which you want to dig.
For public utilities, you would call 8-1-1 for free service, but for private utilities like buried propane lines, water lines connected to a well, electrical lines connected to a generator, or septic systems, you need to call in a company that specializes in scanning for underground private utilities. Such companies typically utilize ground penetrating radar, as well as other non-destructive testing tools.
Other Uses for GPR Scanning
In addition to using a GPR scanning company prior to excavating on a commercial or residential property, those in the construction industry might also need GPR scanning prior to a renovation that requires cutting, drilling, or coring into a concrete slab.
For safety purposes, as well as for the structural integrity of the concrete slab, it is important to avoid hitting rebar or post-tension cables that are likely embedded in the concrete. By thoroughly scanning the concrete using GPR scanning technology, any items within the concrete can be avoided.
GPR scanning can also be used by archaeologists prior to a dig. By scanning an area prior to digging, archaeologists can discover where buried artifacts may be located. This will allow them to make the best use of their time, and also help them avoid damaging fragile buried items.
