For All Your
Concrete
Scanning & Coring Needs
Concrete Scanning and Coring for Renovation and Construction in the Metro Vancouver area.
Concrete scanning is important to ensure the safety and the success of many construction projects. Components such as rebar, electrical cables, plumbing and conduits are hidden under pre-existing concrete construction. Precise Exploration uses advanced software to create the clearest possible image of the concrete beneath the grid. Then we use top of the line machinery to collect samples, create openings for pipes or wiring, or perform other tests.
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for Concrete Scanning and Coring Services
What is Concrete Scanning?
Concrete scanning is a non-destructive way of testing and analyzing concrete structures to identify any hidden features and potential hazards beneath the surface.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is the most commonly used method for concrete scanning, which involves sending radar waves into the ground and analyzing the reflections to create a detailed image of what lies beneath.
How does concrete scanning save money?
Concrete scanning and GPR save money and increase safety in several ways:
- Firstly, by identifying any hidden features or hazards within concrete structures, it helps prevent costly repairs and damage to the structure, which could potentially occur if these issues went undetected.
- Secondly, detailed mapping of reinforcement bars or tendons in concrete can help engineers make more informed decisions about construction or renovation projects, saving both time and money.
- Lastly, by identifying any potential risks or hazards, such as corrosion or voids in the concrete, concrete scanning can ultimately increase safety and prevent accidents during construction or maintenance work.
In short, if you are going to drill, cut or in any way penetrate concrete, (that you cannot see through), scanning gives you a tool to make this safer, cheaper and more effective. It gives you eyes where guesswork is just not good enough.
At Precise Exploration, we have the professional experience and state of the art equipment to make your scanning job quick and easy. One small, forward-thinking, step, can save you a world of hassle and cost on your project.
Line scanning
Line Scanning generates cross sectional views. This is generally used to get slab thickness and what’s in the slab.
Grid scanning
Grid scanning is a collection of grid data that gets processed onboard to create plan maps. It can be completed very quickly in the field and is the safest approach.
How Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Works
Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology, we produce rapid, real time images of objects embedded in concrete. Our equipment has Power Cable Detector (PCD) which enables us to distinguish power cables carrying current from other embedded objects. We are then able to give a 3D visual of the objects.
GPR sends radio waves into the subsurface and measures the travel time for the returning reflection. By collecting continuous data over an area we are able to map structures and features buried in the concrete or man made-structures. The GPR can detect rebar, post-tension cables, conduit, bottom of slab and voids beneath slab-on-grade.
GPR has many advantages over X-ray, mainly the lack of dangerous radiation and the ability to work without disruption to nearby businesses. The equipment is safe for both the user and anyone exposed to the scan.
Who we serve:
- Construction Companies
- Mechanical Contractors
- Cities and Municipalities
- Plumbing Companies
- General Contractors
- Electric Contractors
What we locate:
- Power Cable Detector (PCD)
- Rebar
- Hidden electrical cable
- Radiant heating
- Post-tension cables
- Detection of voids
- Conduit (PVC and galvanized steel.)
Concrete Coring for Construction Projects in Delta, Richmond and Metro Vancouver
Concrete is probably the most common material used in construction. But to drill through it safely, requires heavy-duty tools. Concrete coring creates space for water pipes, communication lines, sewer pipes, electrical wiring, and other utility lines to pass through to the other side. Concrete coring is a common procedure in plumbing, electrical, HVAC and construction industries.
What is concrete coring?
Concrete coring is a process of drilling a cylindrical hole into concrete structures, typically to collect samples, create openings for pipes or wiring, or perform other tests.
The process involves using specialized equipment, including a core drilling machine that is fitted with a diamond-tipped core bit. The drill bit is rotated and pressed into the concrete to create the cylindrical hole, while a stream of water cools and lubricates the bit to prevent overheating.
When is concrete coring useful?
Concrete coring applications include:
- Sampling and testing: Concrete cores can be extracted and sent to a laboratory for testing, such as determining the strength, density, or composition of the concrete. This information can help determine the structural integrity of the concrete and whether it meets certain standards.
- Installation of services: Concrete coring can create openings for pipes, HVAC ducts, electrical conduits, or other services that need to pass through the concrete structure. This avoids the need for surface-mounted services, which can detract from aesthetic qualities.
- Renovation or demolition: Coring can assist in partial removal of existing concrete structures to make way for renovation or new construction.
Overall, concrete coring enables more efficient and effective testing, installation, and renovation of concrete structures with less damage and disturbance to the surrounding area.
Concrete coring should almost always be paired with Concrete Scanning.
Why use Precise Exploration?
At Precise Exploration we have brand new, top of the line Milwaukee Drilling Equipment. We practice the strictest methods of safety and try and keep mess and inconvenience to a minimum.
Photos Courtesy of Sensors & Software and Milwaukee Tool