What it is
Buried Obstruction Detection is one of our core gpr leak-detection services. Locate buried debris, concrete blocks, abandoned tanks, vaults, and forgotten infrastructure before site work or development. We deploy this for BC general contractors, plumbers, engineers, strata corporations, property owners, environmental consultants, and municipal asset managers, using the same equipment trusted by major insurers and municipalities across British Columbia.
When you need it
- BC One Call doesn't cover private property — Public utility locates stop at the property line. Anything inside the lot — drains, irrigation, electrical, gas, lawn lighting, septic — is your responsibility. GPR fills that gap.
- Hitting a buried utility = $$$ + injury — Striking a live electrical conduit, a gas line, or a fibre run can mean injury, six-figure repairs, and project shutdown. A 30-minute GPR scan averts most of it.
- Coring into rebar = structural compromise — Coring through structural rebar weakens the slab. A 1.6 GHz GPR scan maps every bar before the drill bit touches the surface.
- Coring into a post-tension cable = catastrophic — Cutting a PT cable in a post-tensioned slab releases tens of thousands of pounds of force instantly. Engineer-required scans are mandatory before any penetration.
- Slab leak excavation = $$$ if wrong — Digging up the wrong section of a slab costs more than the leak itself. GPR + acoustic narrows it to within inches before excavation.
How we do it
Our certified technicians arrive with state-of-the-art equipment: thermal imaging cameras, acoustic correlators, ground-penetrating radar, and tracer gas. Every job starts with a brief on-site assessment, followed by non-invasive testing to pinpoint the source — typically within inches.
You receive a detailed written report including findings, moisture maps, equipment used, and recommendations for next steps. Reports are formatted for insurance claims, strata councils, and engineering review as needed.
Other services you might need
- Underground Water Leak DetectionGPR combined with acoustic correlation locates buried water service line and irrigation leaks before excavation — typically narrowing the dig to a 1-metre window.
- Slab Leak LocationNon-invasive location of plumbing leaks beneath concrete slabs. GPR finds the pipe, thermal finds the heat, acoustic confirms the source — combined accuracy within inches.
- Pre-Excavation Utility LocatingPrivate-property utility location — water, sewer, gas, electrical, telecom, lawn irrigation, lighting, drainage. Marked on the surface and delivered as a CAD map.
- Pre-Coring Concrete ScanningHigh-frequency (1.6 GHz) scans of slabs, walls, and beams before coring or drilling. Maps rebar, post-tension cables, conduits, and embedded utilities.