FAQ
GPR leak detection — FAQ
Common questions from BC general contractors, plumbers, engineers, strata corporations, property owners, environmental consultants, and municipal asset managers. Don't see your question? Call us at 604-239-9934.
- Serving all of BCSince 1999
- Licensed & insuredWorkSafeBC
- Free phone consultNo pressure
- 25+ yearsFamily-operated
- 10,000+ propertiesInspected
- Will leak detection damage my property?
- No. We use non-invasive technology like thermal imaging, acoustic sensors, and ground-penetrating radar. No drilling, cutting, or demolition required in most cases.
- Does insurance cover leak detection?
- Many policies cover detection costs when water damage is present. We provide detailed reports for your insurance claim documentation.
- How quickly can you respond?
- Same-day response is often available for urgent situations. Regular appointments are typically scheduled within 24–48 hours.
- What if you don't find a leak?
- You receive a comprehensive report confirming no active leaks were detected. This documentation is valuable for insurance, property sales, or peace of mind.
- What is Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and how does it work?
- GPR uses pulses of electromagnetic energy (radar) transmitted into the ground or a structure. When those pulses reflect off subsurface objects with different material properties — rebar, pipes, voids, soil layers, tanks — the reflections are recorded and processed into an image of what's below the surface. It's completely non-destructive and emits no harmful radiation (the energy level is comparable to a Wi-Fi router).
- How deep can GPR see?
- Depth depends on the antenna frequency and the conductivity of the material. High-frequency antennas (1.6 GHz) see 30–50 cm with high resolution — perfect for rebar in concrete. Mid-frequency (400 MHz) typically reaches 2–4 m underground. Low-frequency (200 MHz) can reach 5+ m in favourable soil. Wet clay and saline soils limit depth; dry sand and rock are excellent.
- Can GPR detect plastic (PVC, PEX) pipes?
- Yes — this is one of GPR's key advantages over electromagnetic (EM) locators. EM locators can't trace non-metallic pipes. GPR sees them based on density contrast with the surrounding soil. We typically combine both technologies on utility-locate jobs.
- Does GPR work through concrete?
- Yes — concrete is one of GPR's primary applications. We use 1.6 GHz antennas for concrete scanning, which produce extremely high-resolution images of rebar, post-tension cables, conduits, and embedded utilities up to about 45 cm into the slab.
- Is GPR safe? Does it use radiation?
- GPR is completely safe. It emits low-power radio-frequency energy — orders of magnitude weaker than a mobile phone or Wi-Fi router. No ionising radiation, no health risk to people, pets, or sensitive equipment. Cleared for use in occupied buildings and over live utilities.
- How accurate is GPR?
- For target location: typically within 5–10 cm horizontal accuracy for shallow targets, and 10–20 cm at depth. Depth estimates are typically ±10% of the target depth. Accuracy is a function of material conditions, antenna frequency, and experienced interpretation — which is why operator skill matters as much as the equipment.
- Do I need a permit for a GPR survey?
- No. GPR is a non-destructive, non-invasive scan with no permit requirement. We can usually arrive, survey, and deliver findings within a single visit.
- How much does a GPR survey cost?
- It depends on the scope. A small concrete-scan job (pre-coring a few locations) is typically a flat fee. Larger utility-locate or as-built mapping projects are priced by area and antenna setup. Free phone consult — we'll give you a tight estimate in 5 minutes.
- Can GPR locate underground utilities on private property?
- Yes — and this is one of our most-requested services. BC One Call covers public utilities up to your property line, but everything inside your lot (irrigation, drainage, lawn lighting, septic, abandoned utilities) is your responsibility. Private-property GPR utility location is the safest way to map what's there before excavation.
- Will I get a written report or just paint marks?
- Both. We mark target locations on the surface in spray paint or flagging for your crew, and we deliver a written report (PDF) with annotated images and a plan-view map. CAD-importable (DWG/DXF) deliverables are available for engineering coordination.
- How long does a GPR survey take?
- A small concrete pre-coring scan takes 15–30 minutes per location. A whole-property utility survey for a typical single-family lot takes 2–4 hours. Large commercial sites can take a full day or more. We give a time estimate as part of the initial quote.
- Can GPR detect rebar and post-tension cables in concrete?
- Yes — this is one of GPR's most common uses. Using 1.6 GHz antennas, we map the full reinforcement layout in slabs, walls, and beams. Critical before any coring or drilling on a post-tensioned slab where cutting a PT cable can be catastrophic.
- Does GPR work in wet or rainy conditions?
- Yes — we can survey in light rain. Heavy ponded water on the surface or saturated clay soils will reduce signal depth, but most BC conditions are workable. We'll advise on optimal scheduling for your site.
- Can GPR find buried oil tanks?
- Yes — buried oil tank (UST) detection is a major use case in BC, especially for pre-purchase due diligence on homes built before 1960. GPR clearly images steel tanks and most fibreglass tanks at typical residential burial depths.
- Can GPR detect voids and sinkholes before they collapse?
- Yes. Voids beneath concrete slabs, parkades, sidewalks, and roadways produce a distinctive GPR signature. We regularly survey suspect 'soft spots' before they become structural failures.
- Do you also do forensic and unmarked-grave surveys?
- Yes — same equipment, different interpretation. We support municipalities, cemetery operators, First Nations land managers, and law-enforcement requests for boundary verification and unmarked-grave detection.
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