A construction project—no matter how big or small—invariably involves a lot of details. It can be easy for certain tasks to fall through the cracks as more pressing concerns come to the surface. In addition, budget constraints may cause you to make some hard decisions about what can be included with the project and what needs to be left out. If you are about to start a construction project, one thing that definitely needs to be on your to-do list is bringing in GPR scanning services prior to breaking ground.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a technology allows you to “see” what is below the surface of the ground without actually disturbing it. GPR can tell you if there are any buried hazards, such as utility lines or tanks so you can avoid them when excavating or digging. If needed, it can also give you information about the make-up of the ground, so you can know how far below the surface you will hit bedrock, for example.
According to the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), a trade association dedicated to preventing damage to underground utilities, it is estimated that a utility line is damaged every 90 seconds in the United States. In the last 20 years, utility line strikes have resulted in more than 1900 injuries and more than 400 deaths. In addition, utility strikes result in approximately $30 billion worth of property damage every year! Despite these statistics, some people are still willing to “roll the dice” and choose not to have their property scanned prior to a construction project. Or, they use unqualified people to do the scanning (or try to do it themselves) and don’t get accurate information about what is below the surface of the ground.
Ideally, a property owner would have a complete scan done by professional GPR scanning services before the construction plans are even drawn up. That way, the person completing the design will know where it is safe to excavate and what areas to avoid. If there are hazards in an area that is unavoidable, plans can be made to re-route utility lines or otherwise remove the hazard.
For property owners in Southern California looking for professional GPR scanning services, consider Enhanced Scanning, a highly reputable company with quick turnaround times and a great reputation for delivering highly accurate results. Enhanced Scanning has technicians who are highly trained in using GPR equipment, as well as other non-destructive locating tools. Enhanced Scanning’s owner, Forrest Sim, is a leader in the industry and is regularly called upon for atypical projects that other companies aren’t equipped to handle. However, the company’s bread and butter is GPR scanning services for everyday construction project that require their expertise.
