Paying a professional when it seems like a novice could do the same job just as well can feel like you’re throwing money away. But things aren’t always as they seem. In some instances, what appears to be a simple job can, in fact, be quite complicated and the final results can be substantially different.
Take concrete scanning, for example. You could hire one of the professional GPR scanning services out there, or you could hire someone who simply owns ground penetrating radar equipment and likely pay them less money for concrete scanning.
Here’s the thing about concrete scanning, though: getting accurate results is not always easy—even for the professionals. Yes, operating ground penetrating radar equipment is fairly straightforward, but interpreting the data it puts out can be complicated. Unlike concrete X-ray, which delivers images of what is embedded in the concrete, ground penetrating radar produces images that look like a series of waves. It is then up to the technician to determine what those waves represent. Is it rebar? A series of utility lines? Or something else entirely?
The reason you hire a GPR scanning service in the first place is to get a good understanding of what potential hazards are embedded where they can’t be seen by the naked eye. An accurate concrete scan can keep you from hitting something that could cause expensive damage, or even cause injury, when the concrete is disturbed.
You want to hire a GPR scanning service that has a good reputation for delivering the results their clients need—results that are thorough and accurate. A good GPR scanning service will likely have case studies on their website that will discuss in detail some of their more challenging projects, and how they were able to meet their clients’ needs, despite the challenges.
You may think you have a fairly simple concrete scanning project, but it can still be wise to work with a GPR scanning service that regularly does this type of work. They are more likely to have highly trained and more experienced technicians completing their jobs, which increases the likelihood of you getting the accurate results you need to proceed safely with your project.
If you need a more thorough analysis of your concrete slab, you’ll definitely want to call in the professionals! Scanning companies that utilize other tools, such as ultrasonics, rebound hammers, or eddy currents can help you determine the structural integrity of your concrete. They can provide you with information on things like depth of cover, rebar diameter, crack depth, voiding, and more. A holistic concrete analysis can help you make informed decisions with regard to maintenance, and can also help you determine if your concrete slab can support any renovations you may want to complete.
