Ground Penetrating Radar Systems of California - F.A.Q.

1. Can Ground Penetrating Radar determine the difference between rebar and electrical conduit?
2. Can Ground Penetrating Radar tell me the size of a void cavity below ground?
3. In a post-tensioned slab, how are you able to differentiate the tendons from the rebar?
4. When you find underground utilities, can you determine what type of utility it is?
5. How quickly can you respond to an emergency need?
6. What is the maximum distance Ground Penetrating Radar System will travel to perform your work?
7. Why would I choose Ground Penetrating Radar over another similar company?
8. What type of training do your technicians go through?
9. Can your Ground Penetrating Radar equipment be used to scan vertical surfaces or could it be used on a ceiling?
10. Does Ground Penetrating Radar Systems buy used equipment?
11. What type of “output” do you provide for mapping utilities?
12. Can you locate unmarked grave sites?
13. How deep can your Ground Penetrating Radar “see”?
14. How accurate are the results when using ground penetrating radar?
15. Is GPRS available to work at night or on the weekend?

Q: Can Ground Penetrating Radar determine the difference between rebar and electrical conduit?
A: Although it is true that rebar and electrical conduits produce similar reactions on the data screen, in most cases, yes, we can determine the difference.   We are able to differentiate between the two materials by determining the rebar pattern (spacing and elevation).  If the pattern is broken, in all likelihood, the rupture is from the presence of a conduit. We have an extremely high success rate in applications in which we are asked to find electrical conduits in supported slabs or in slabs-on-grade prior to saw cutting or core drilling. GPRS provides one of the most comprehensive and accurate conduit locating services available.

Q: Can Ground Penetrating Radar tell me the size of a void cavity below ground?
A: GPR can tell the area where the void is occurring as well as clearly identify its boundaries. 

Q: In a post-tensioned slab, how are you able to differentiate the tendons from the rebar?
A: In post-tensioned structures, we typically find one mat of support bar near the base of the slab. This mat of support bar is generally consistently spaced and remains at a constant elevation. When we use the Ground Penetrating Radar to determine the location of post-tension cables, we usually find them above the mat of support bar, and they usually are "draped" through the slab. The elevation of the cable is usually high near the beams and column lines and drapes lower through the span between beam and column lines.  Our technician’s will leave you feeling confident with the results of the scan and in your ability to drill or cut without issue.

Q: When you find underground utilities, can you determine what type of utility it is?
A: No, we cannot. We can generally find the utility without much difficulty, but we cannot determine if the piping is gas, or water, etc.  We can often trace the utility to valve, meter, control box, or other type of signifying marker, thereby determining the utility.  Additionally, we have the ability to provide the elevation of the utility and can cross check it with as-build plans to confirm the plans are without error. 

Q: How quickly can you respond to an emergency need?
A: In most circumstances, we can have a technician on your site within 24 hours. 

Q: What is the maximum distance Ground Penetrating Radar System will travel to perform your work?
A: GPRS provides nationwide Ground Penetrating Radar services with offices in every major city from coast to coast.  Simply put, we are willing to do what it takes to accomplish your project goals, including travel.

Q: Why would I choose Ground Penetrating Radar over another similar company?
A: GPRS is dedicated to subsurface locating both for private utility projects and concrete scanning.  By keeping our focus on these areas we have not allowed the company to deviate from this primary service that we provide to our customers.  Locating is the only service that we specialize in, and we believe that allows us to be the best.  We have found one key difference between us and our competitors is the total area we are able to scan in a given amount of time.  Most companies we compete against are not able to cover the square footage or miles in the same amount of time that we are.  While our minimum charge maybe slightly higher than some competitors we can effectively and efficiently cover more area.  We also save your time by putting you directly in contact with the local technician in your area.  This saves time by allowing our technicians to ask pointed questions regarding your project and enables them to determine if we are going to be able to help with your project or not.  Call us today to experience the difference yourself.

Q: What type of training do your technicians go through?
A: Each of our technicians goes through three to six month training process.  This includes two weeks training at our corporate offices in our training center in Toledo, OH.  The GPRS training center has test slabs of concrete with every type of slab we encounter in the field.  Here they are instructed by our director of training who has 9 years of field experience.  We also pair each trainee with an experienced technician until the trainee has demonstrated the consistent ability to work on a comparable level to an experienced technician providing technical expertise and the ability to get through difficult Ground Penetrating Radar applications.

Q: Can your Ground Penetrating Radar equipment be used to scan vertical surfaces or could it be used on a ceiling?
A: Yes. We regularly use our equipment to scan for the location of rebar in concrete columns and walls. On occasion we are also asked to scan from the underside of a floor to mark out the reinforcing steel and any embedded conduits. This is most common when a customer wants to set anchors into a floor for large piping.

Q: Does Ground Penetrating Radar Systems buy used equipment?
A: Yes, we buy used equipment from other GPR companies. Contact us today as we would be happy to see the equipment and negotiate a deal.  Please call our corporate office at (419) 843-9804.

Q: Can you locate unmarked grave sites?
A: Yes, Ground Penetrating Radar can be used to determine the precise location of unmarked graves for site planning purposes.  While older grave sites can be harder to locate because of material deterioration, in most cases we can accurately map where these grave sites are found.

Q: Is GPRS available to work at night or on the weekend?
A:  We, at GPRS, pride ourselves on customer service and our ability to meet your inflexible scheduling needs.  We are willing to work nights and weekends, or any other time, in order to help you accomplish the goals of your project.  Please contact your local GPRS representative for rates and schedule availability.