Concrete scanners provide subsurface imaging particularly underneath and within concrete structures, such as slabs, beams, columns and walls. These devices send out an electromagnetic wave into the area of interest and provide an image of the reflected wave. Since electromagnetic waves can penetrate solid objects, the reflected wave will appear different from the sent wave. The difference in these waves is what is used to ‘see’ what is within or underneath a structure. Over the years, many different types of imaging devices have been developed but concrete scanners are the most widely used. The demand for concrete scanning services Sydney residents should know, has increased considerably over the last decade or two. The following are the most common uses of these devices:

i) Plumbing Repairs

When a water pipe that is buried within the slab or inside a concrete wall is leaking or blocked, the only way to repair that pipe is to demolish the slab and carry out repairs. Since it can be incredibly costly to demolish the entire slab/wall section, a concrete scanner can save the client both time and money since they can pin point the exact location of the leak or blockage and carry out repairs.

ii) HVAC Installation

When a split ductless air conditioning system is installed in a building, the exterior wall of a building must be drilled to create a hole for passing the two refrigerant lines, electrical cables and electrical wires. Since there might be steel reinforcement, electrical conduits or water pipes running through that section, subsurface imaging will help the HVAC contractor to avoid any damage to these systems during the drilling process.

iii) Building Inspection

A building may look sound on the outside, but it may be weak on the inside. Building inspectors can use concrete scanners to check the number and size of steel bars used to reinforce columns and beams in a bid to determine whether a building is structurally sound or not. In the aftermath of an earthquake or fire, building safety inspectors can use the same device to check if the incident compromised the structural integrity of the building.

Concrete scanners can also be used to inspect factory buildings. Usually, when heavy machines are placed on a steel-reinforced floor, they can create a void beneath the surface due to the constant pounding. Over time, the size of the void can increase. If the steel reinforcement fails, the floor will collapse and cause serious damage to property as well as injuries to factory workers. A concrete scanner can help to prevent such incidences.