Risks and problems this service helps prevent
Striking reinforcement, electrical conduits or post-tension cables can create serious safety risks, damage tools and interrupt the project. Concrete plans may be incomplete, outdated or unavailable, while visible surface clues rarely show the full picture below.
Cutting into a post-tension cable can release stored energy and cause major structural damage. Drilling through a live conduit may expose workers to electric shock, arc flash or fire. Even a less serious strike can lead to repairs, engineer involvement, delays and unplanned costs.
Concrete scanning helps project teams select safer drilling and cutting locations, plan exclusions and reduce uncertainty. No scanning method can guarantee that every hidden feature will be detected, but professional investigation provides a much stronger basis for decision-making than relying on assumptions alone.
What can be detected or assessed?
- Reinforcing steel and mesh
- Post-tension cables
- Electrical and communications conduits
- Possible voids or changes within concrete
- Approximate depth and orientation of detectable targets
- Slab features that may affect drilling, cutting or coring
- Typical projects and industries
- Core drilling and concrete cutting
- Commercial fit-outs and renovations
- Electrical and plumbing penetrations
- Structural alterations and remedial works
- Industrial and facilities maintenance
- Civil, infrastructure and construction projects
How the process works
- Chris reviews the plans, photographs, proposed work area and required drilling or cutting locations.
- The surface is prepared and a scanning grid is established where required.
- GPR and appropriate locating equipment are used to investigate the concrete in more than one direction.
- Detectable features are interpreted and marked onsite, with practical findings explained to the project team.
- Photographs or reporting can be supplied where agreed in the quote.
What you receive
- Clear onsite markings of detected features
- A practical explanation of findings and limitations
- Site photographs where requested
- Written or marked-up reporting where included in the scope
- Fast invoicing and project follow-up
Why West Coast Scanning is well positioned to help
West Coast Scanning is a family-run, owner-operated business with more than 12 years of scanning experience. You deal directly with Chris from the first enquiry through to the onsite work and findings, giving you quicker communication and personal attention without layers of administration.
We use quality GSSI and professional electromagnetic locating equipment, offer competitive rates and work across Perth and regional Western Australia.
Free quotes, flexible scheduling and same-day responses, results and invoicing are often available where project conditions allow. Many regular clients return because the service is practical, responsive and easy to deal with. There may also be a West Coast Scanning mug in your future.
Frequently asked questions
- What can concrete scanning detect?
- Depending on the structure, access and site conditions, scanning may help identify reinforcement, conduits, post-tension cables, voids and other embedded features. Results and depth capability vary between sites.
- Do I need scanning before core drilling?
- Scanning is strongly recommended wherever drilling, cutting or coring may intersect hidden structural or service elements. It helps reduce risk and supports safer work planning.
- Can concrete scanning tell me the exact depth?
- Scanning can often provide an approximate depth, but accuracy depends on concrete thickness, target size, reinforcement density, moisture and equipment access.
- Can you scan walls and ceilings?
- Many walls, slabs and accessible structural elements can be investigated. Send photographs and dimensions so the access and equipment requirements can be assessed.
- How quickly can I get a quote?
- West Coast Scanning aims to respond on the same business day where possible. Plans, photographs, location and approximate scan area help Chris quote faster.