If you are someone who is only vaguely familiar with underground scanning, you might be wondering how it is that we decide which tools to use on a particular project. Do we always use ground penetrating radar and only bring in other tools when needed? Or do we decide on what tools to use once we get onsite?
Whenever we take on a new underground scanning project, one of the first things we do is talk to the client about what their goals are—what information they are looking for and what type(s) of deliverables they require. We then assess the site to determine what tool(s) will be best suited to find what the client is looking for.
It’s often the case that ground penetrating radar (GPR) is the scanning tool we choose to go with simply because it is so versatile. It can locate buried items made up of many different types of materials—from metal to concrete to plastic. It can also tell how deeply an item is buried. It’s the perfect tool for the vast majority of our projects.
What GPR can’t always do well, however, is differentiate between different materials. Now, for many of our clients, it isn’t vital that they know exactly what is buried underground—they just need to know that there is something there that they need to avoid when excavating. For these clients, a GPR scan is more than adequate. It provides them with all the information they need to safely move forward with their project at an affordable price.
But for other clients, they need to know which utility line is which, and that’s when we may need to bring in other tools. One additional tool that we will likely bring in for underground scanning when we need more clarity is an electromagnetic locator (EL). This tool is great at finding utility lines made from electrically conductive materials like metal. By using EL in addition to GPR, it can help our technicians obtain more detailed information on what, exactly, is buried where.
At Enhanced Scanning, we have many other tools at our disposal, each of which comes with its own strengths and limitations. There isn’t one tool that is right for every project, no matter what anyone tells you. Complex projects often require a combination of tools, and because our underground scanning company invests in a variety of non-destructive tools, it is uniquely equipped to handle just about any project that comes our way.
If you need to know what is located underground on your property, contact our underground scanning company to schedule service. We will use whatever tools are necessary to provide you with the information you need so you can move forward safely with your upcoming project.