At Subsurface Imaging we specialize in subsurface imaging, but we also offer a wide range of services within that niche. If you are in need of any of these services then please contact us at 866-997-2327 right away to set up an appointment.

1. Concrete coring

The process of cutting through or drilling into concrete floors, ceilings, or walls, concrete coring is often used before removing unwanted concrete from a job site. We know that you do not want to take major steps to remove a concrete structure without first assessing its makeup. We can help.

2. Concrete x-ray

Through concrete x-ray, we can locate and identify a number of materials that may be within concrete. Some examples include:

• Conduit
• Post-tensioned cable
• Rebar

Similar to what a physical does when they x-ray a potentially broken limb, our x-ray process uses radiation to get an exposure that shows us what’s inside.

3. Consulting

The plans for older buildings are not always readily accessible and when they are not, our consulting services may be needed. We can do a complete study of the building with x-ray and GPR to find rebar size and shape, and to establish the spacing, depth, and coverage. Engineers and architects can then further analyze the data to decide their next move.

4. Ground penetrating radar

Also known as GPR, ground penetrating radar is safe, fast, and accurate. It uses electromagnetic energy to go into an object within the concrete. The energy is then reflected off of that object and we get an idea of the specifics of that object. This can not only tell us what is inside concrete but how old it is.

5. Utility locating

The phrase “call before you dig” has been repeated a million times and it should have been – it is important advice. However, if you call a utility company they will come out to locate, mark, and report utilities that they own but only up to the meter. Once the utilities are past the meter, they are considered privately owned.

In addition to the limits this leads to, they also do not mark any privately owned utilities that may be on a property, such as electric, gas, or water. When a company works with Subsurface Imaging for utility locating, they can count on us to find all utilities on a property no matter who owns them.

We are standing by to offer exceptional services at competitive rates

You need quality services and you need competitive rates. You will find both when you work with Subsurface Imaging. If you need assistance from us then all you need to do is contact our offices at 866-997-2327 . We are standing by to get to work on your project.

The post 5 Subsurface Services You Can Turn to Us For appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

Many construction companies and individuals use concrete without really thinking about it. After all, it is the most used building material in the world and has been for centuries. But why is that? What is it about concrete that keeps customers coming back to it year after year? Read on to find out more about the basics of that material we take for granted: Concrete. Then reach out to Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 if you need assistance with concrete x-ray, concrete coring, and other similar services.

Just how popular is concrete?

First, let’s look at just how popular concrete is. It is used in just about all types of infrastructure, from schools to bridges, from houses to roads and even skyscrapers. In fact, estimates show that for each person there is on earth, there are three tons of concrete. This adds up to twice as much as the total of all other building materials, including wood, plastic, steel, and aluminum.

Why is concrete so popular?

First of all, it is an extremely low impact material. Second, it is one of the strongest materials we build with, which makes it a wise choice. In addition to being strong, it is durable and can last for many years. It has an excellent thermal mass. These advantages are enough to make it a top choice, but when you also add that it’s affordable then it becomes easy to see why it is so popular.

The abundance of concrete is not a new thing

While many people associate concrete with more modern buildings, the truth is that this material is nothing new. In fact, some of the most famous historical buildings are made from concrete. Think about famous examples like the Hoover Dam and the Panama Canal to see. Then consider even older structures, such as the Roman Pantheon, which is also made from concrete.

That’s right, thousands of years ago, the Romans made their own type of concrete, which was a mix of water, cement, and aggregate. They then built a truly gravity-defying dome that is over 40 meters in diameter. Today, thousands of years later, it is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world – and it has never faltered.

We can help with modern and ancient concrete needs

Are you in need of help with utility locating so that you can lay concrete? We can help. Do you have concrete that is decades old and you need to know what’s in it before you cut? We can help with that too. In short, at Subsurface Imaging we are ready to help with all your concrete screening and scanning needs. Contact us at 866-997-2327 so we can get started.

The post Back to Basics: Why is Concrete the Most Widely Used Building Material in the World? appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

If it is done the right way, structural scanning can help you save money, time, and hassle. That said, if the process of ground penetrating radar is not completed correctly, there are potential hazards that can result in damage to the infrastructure, injuries, and other liabilities.

The bad news is that not all companies complete this process the right way. The good news is that at Subsurface Imaging, we have years of experience and we complete every job correctly. Read on to learn the three steps to structural scanning to ensure you know the difference between the right way and the wrong way. If you are in need of this or other scanning services, contact us at 866-997-2327 to get started.

1. Visual examination

Before any equipment is taken out, you need a highly-trained technician to assess what needs to go into the slab. They will do this by looking into the telecommunications closet, electrical room, fire arm control rooms, etc. Once they know what elements they are likely to find, they can be sure to locate all potential hazards that could cause issues with sawing, drilling, cutting, etc.

2. The use of high frequency impulse radar

The truth is that if you work with a less experienced company, they may very well start with this step. While it is an important step – and in fact arguably the most important step – it should not be done until a visual exam has been done. Radar scanning can locate embedded objects in both concrete slabs and soil but it is best used in conjunction with a visual examination and with step three, conventional utility locating equipment.

3. The use of conventional utility locating equipment

Once both the visual exam and the use of high frequency impulse radar are completed, it is time to use conventional utility locating equipment. This confirms the results and sorts out any mixed signals. Too often, an inexperienced company will skip this step. While they may still end up with the correct results, at Subsurface Imaging we believe in getting as much information as possible to ensure the best possible end result for our clients.

The combination of these three steps gives you all the information you need

The reality is that information is not useful when out of context. If you simply look at what is inside concrete without knowing what should be in there, then you can miss important hidden elements. If you simply look at the results of GPR without confirming those results with utility locating equipment, something important may be missed.

At Subsurface Imaging we know how important it is for our clients to get accurate results. In fact, it could be argued that this is the only important thing. When you contact us at 866-997-2327 you will benefit from our years of experience and our access to the best quality equipment on the market.

The post The 3 Structural Scanning Steps to Ensure Success appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

If you are thinking of inspecting the concrete on your current project by using a digital concrete x-ray, then you may hear some interesting “facts” about this process. At Subsurface Imaging we regularly share information that shows these facts are nothing more than myths. Read on to learn about some of the most common myths and the truth behind them. Then contact us at 866-997-2327 if you have other concerns you want to clear up or if you need the highest quality services.

Myth: Concrete x-raying is dangerous

Would this be dangerous if the layperson performed it? Perhaps. However, when you work with Subsurface Imaging you are working with a company that employs operators who are expertly trained and who execute every job in accordance with all state regulations. We offer substantial training that includes safety parameters, operating a digital x-ray, and properly setting up.

When we do our job, only safe levels of radiation are emitted. The levels that are emitted when the equipment is used properly are well below the levels allowed by the state. That said, we are still dealing with radiation and we take every precaution to perform job walks and ensure safety parameter zones.

Myth: Concrete x-raying is better or worse than GPR

This is simply not a fair statement. While these two services may have the same purpose, they are used in very different ways. The truth is that ground penetrating radar (GPR) is right for certain projects and concrete x-raying is better for others. A few things that will determine which one is the best choice include:

• Whether or not there is access to both sides of the slab
• If the slab is thicker or thinner than 12 inches
• If an exact picture is needed or if analysis of data is enough
• If safety parameter zones can be established
• How congested the slab is believed to be

You can trust Subsurface Imaging to consider all options and offer the best choice for your unique project.

Myth: It takes a long time to get results

This is one of the most common myths and it is entirely false. Digital x-ray actually delivers a real-time image. Think of it like taking a picture of a landscape. That is what we are doing, except that the landscape is the inside of the concrete. You can tell what’s in there in as little as five seconds. Our techs are experienced at instantly analyzing so you get results very quickly.

To learn more about GPR, digital x-rays, and other options, reach out to Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 .

The post Do You Believe Any of These Common Myths About Digital Concrete X-Rays? appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

If you are going to be cutting into concrete then it is worth it to scan it. This is always true and we believe it is always a good investment. Regardless of the situation, you may be surprised to learn about the potential hazards that could lie in and below your concrete. Read on to find out there reasons to scan your concrete and then contact Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 to get started.

1. You do not want to hit a utility line

Utility locating is well worth it when you consider the great costs that come with hitting a utility line during excavation. The worst case scenario is that you could inadvertently turn off the utility service not just for your jobsite but for the entire community. Some local regulators are working to combat this possibility by assigning heavy fines if utilities are cut.

You’d then have to pay to fix the damaged utility line and may even be responsible for damages to homes or businesses. Of course, your workers are always at danger if utilities are hit. Gas, steam, propane, electric, and even communication lines can all be dangerous if they are hit. It is worth it to contact Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 before cutting.

2. You do not want to strike a post tension cable

If you do not scan before cutting then you could end up cutting a post tension cable. One recent case of this, as reported in FLCAJ, resulted in both structural damage to a building and serious injuries to several workers. Note that even without these dramatic damages and injuries, the average cost of repairing just one cable repair can range from $800 to well over $1200. Note that this does not even include the costs that come with repairing areas affected by the release.

What happens when a worker unknowingly cuts into a post tension cable? The cable reacts by snapping. This can seriously injury a worker and it has even killed workers in the past. It is simple to avoid this issue: Concrete imaging.

3. You do not want to cut into rebar

Finally, you run the risk of damaging rebar. Once again, this can result in serious issues. First, you will likely end up with injured workers. Why? Because drilling and hitting rebar results in pieces of debris flying and they can strike workers. Even if no one is injured, cutting into repair can result in the need for expensive and time-consuming repairs that get your project started off behind schedule.

Likewise, cutting into rebar can result in damage to the structural integrity of the concrete. If this happens, then the site can be too unstable to work on and the completion date can be pushed every further.

These are just three of the reasons that it is always worth it to call for concrete scanning. Contact Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 to find out what the best option is for your unique needs.

The post 3 Reasons it Is Always Worth Scanning Concrete Before Cutting It appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

At Subsurface Imaging, our competitive advantages mean that many in the community turn to us for unique projects. Many assume that ground penetrating radar is only used in the construction industry and while that is primarily what it is used for, it has some very interesting alternative uses as well. For example, it has been used to find unmarked graves.

The basics of GPR

Ground penetrating radar, aka GPR, is a way of inspecting grounds that is very useful for a wide range of projects – including ones like this. Commonly, we use GPR utility locating equipment to find any buried object. It shows up the screen and we can instantly identify that there is a utility in a particular place. While this fact would not be obvious to just anyone looking at the readouts, our technicians are highly skilled in interpreting this data and marking the grounds accordingly.

Churches sometimes have a need for GPR

You may wonder – why would GPR be used to find unmarked graves? The answer is that churches may have a need for this technology. They may have a burial site that does not have every burial marked. When they want detailed information on how much space they have left and where the graves are, they might call in the imaging specialists.

Only an experienced technician could use GPR for this use

The expertise of an analyst is critical in finding the right information for this use. Why? Because they must be able to tell the difference between old graves and new graves. They would look at soil and reflection of the objects on their screens. A newer grave would have soil that appears to be collapsing. Older sites would have settled soil that appeared to be heavily packed.

Likewise, a newer burial site will reflect back with a very high amplitude while an older gave would have a much weaker reflection. This is because of the difference in burial techniques used 50+ years ago versus the options used today.

Call us for all your concrete and ground imaging needs

You may not need to find unmarked graves but whatever type of imaging you need, whether of concrete or the ground, you can turn to Subsurface Imaging. We have the experience you need, the dedication that is required, and the expertise to get any job done. Call us now at 866-997-2327 to find out more about our services, how much they cost, and what type of results you can expect.

The post Ground Penetrating Radar Has Many Uses: Learn How It Can Even Find Unmarked Graves appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

Whether you are a professional in the construction company or a homeowner who is considering planting a tree, it is likely you have heard the phrase “call before you dig.” This may sound like a clever slogan but it is more than just a suggestion – it is essential. Read on to find out more about how Subsurface Imaging can help with utility locating and then contact us at 866-997-2327 to get started.

Calling the city only gives you part of the picture

Some people and companies assume that they can simply call the city and get their requests taken care of. This is often done through the Did-Alert or One-Call system. While these can give you some information, note that the city will only find, mark, and report utilities that they own. What’s more, they will only mark them up to their meter. Once they go to your meter, the city considers them privately owned.

We can give you information on privately owned utilities

The truth is that if you want to know what utilities are in a certain area, it is not enough to simply know where the public utilities are. When you work with Subsurface Imaging, you can count on us to mark privately owned utilities including gas, electric, and water services. If you are digging near an industrial complex, know that there are likely privately-owned utility systems located between the main building or buildings and outlying buildings.

We go the extra mile

When you work with Subsurface Imaging, you can count on us to go the extra mile for you. We will begin by locating and marking every utility within the project area – no matter who they are owned by. By finding them before you get started on your project, we can save you huge repair bills, damage to equipment, injuries to your workers, and missing important deadlines. It is really simple to find out more about how this process works: Just contact us at 866-997-2327 and ask for a free quote.

Call us today for help with a range of services

We are proud of the excellent utility locating services we provide and we are proud of our many other services too. For example, you can call us for concrete coring, concrete x-raying, consulting, ground penetrating radar, and much more. Not sure what you need? Call us for more information or check out this information on the differences between x-ray and radar.

There are many reasons to trust Subsurface Imaging with your business, including our commitment to 100% customer satisfaction. We use the most innovative, state of the art tools and equipment to get you the answers you need as quickly as possible. You can count on our technicians to be professional, trained, and willing to tell every customer the truth. We highly recommend you contact us today at 866-997-2327 to get your project started.

The post Call Before You Dig is More Than Advice: It is a Smart Practice appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

If you are working with a building and do not have access to the plans then you may be panicking. There are many reasons you might need to know how the building was built, or if it is structurally sound. The truth is that there are other ways – including turning to Subsurface Imaging at for consulting services. Read on to learn more about what we can offer you and then reach out to us at 866-997-2327 to begin the process.

How do plans get lost?

This is often a problem on older buildings. As time has gone, the plans, which are sometimes known as “as-builts,” end up getting misplaced. They may have been in an old filing cabinet that got thrown away, they may have been in the desk of a former employee who emptied each drawer without looking closely. It could be that someone found them and didn’t realize how important they were. Regardless, it is all too each for plans to get lost or thrown away.

Let us be the eyes that can see within your building

You do not have to rip up the building to see what is happening inside. Instead, let us do it for you. If you have an engineer who needs to know how the building in question was constructed, or if you have an architect who needs to know if the building is structurally sound and how it was built, then we can help you.

We can complete a building study that gives you all the information you need

When you choose to work with Subsurface Imaging, we can complete a building study. We can do this using both x-ray and ground penetrating radar. We complete these tests on a predetermined sample area of the building. This will give us a wealth of information about the building such as:

• Rebar size
• Rebar shape (such as round, square, etc. – this can help to determine how old the building is too)
• Spacing
• Depth
• Coverage

When an engineer and / or architect has access to this information, they can easily analyze it and calculate exactly what they are dealing with.

We can help you with a wide range of imaging needs

If you are in the construction field and you have questions about what is inside your concrete then you have a single company to call: Subsurface Imaging. Our services include concrete coring, concrete x-ray, ground penetrating x-ray, utility locating, and much more. With decades of experience, you can trust our trained technicians to provide exceptional service.

If you are ready to work with a Union company that takes pride in the work we do then we welcome you to contact us at 866-997-2327 right now.

The post Do You Need to Know if a Building is Sound or How It Was Constructed? We Can Help appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

We are very excited to have partnered with Laborer’s Union No. 1309 and believe strongly that it will benefit our employees, our customers, and the community. If you are interested in learning more about these benefits, keep reading. If you are in need of subsurface imaging and other concrete services, contact Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 for a quote.

There is more training in store for us

There are many reasons we joined the Union but the fact that there are so many options for advanced training is one of them. The Laborers in our Union are diverse and span just about every aspect of the construction industry you can imagine. The Union has a Laborers Training School that helps cross train us across various industries. Consider that our Union has people who work not just in concrete like we do, but in asphalt, fencing, demotion, excavation, refinery, etc. The more we know about every aspect of this business, the better the services are that we can offer.

The Union provides us with access to everything we need

When we joined the Union, we became part of a partnership in which we get the assistance we need as our company grows. We can get help when we need additional manpower, when our workers need training, or when we want to ensure that every job we are working on is complaint with local codes and laws. This means that when you hire us for your project, no matter what happens we will have the backup to ensure a smooth completion.

We are excited to see what the future holds

We believe that our employees will be better trained, better equipped, and feel more secure in their jobs as a result of our membership in Laborer’s Union 1309. We believe that when our employees are happy and taken care of that our customers can count on exceptional work. If you are looking for a company that will provide comprehensive concrete imaging services for fair prices then we know that you are looking for us.

Our employees have a bright future as well

By being part of a Union, our employees have access to both a pension and medical benefits. The better health they are in, the better job they can do for you. When an employee knows that a pension is waiting for them at the end of their career, you can count on them being motivated to do the best possible job.

The bottom line is that we have been providing exceptional services for our clients for years. Now that we have joined this Union, our employees will finally get the results they have been working so hard for. If you are in need of the best in the concrete imaging business then you are ready to contact Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 .

The post We’ve Joined Laborer’s Union No. 1309 and Everyone Will Benefit appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.

There is no question that the old adage is true when it comes to the construction industry: Time is money. At Subsurface Imaging we understand this and we work to save you both. As you look for the right concrete imaging company to get the job done, check out these four reasons that we know we are the best choice for your needs. Then reach out at 866-997-2327 to get the process started.

1. We understand how important speed is

When you have a project that needs to be completed sooner rather than later, then you need to contact Subsurface Imaging. We do not want to see your schedule compromised because you are waiting on results from concrete imaging or concrete x-rays. This is why we are proud of our super-fast turnaround times. Certainly within 72 hours, but often within 24 hours, we can let you know exactly what is inside your concrete.

2. We provide the best quality

Sure, we can do the work quickly but if we can’t also provide high quality then there is no purpose in doing it at all. We understand this. It may be some value to know that there is material in your concrete, but the real value comes when you know what it is. After all, the way you would treat rebar, post-tension cable, or plastic conduit is all very different. We use the most state of the art technology to ensure you know what is in there and where it is.

3.  You will not find a safer company

When you work with Subsurface Imaging you are working with a company that has a radioactive materials license. Holding this license requires that we adhere to strict safety guidelines. We are also licensed by the State of California Department of Health and are closely monitored by them. This state falls under the purview of the Nuclear Regulatory commission which means we can perform services in states other than California. Our equipment is licensed by California and our GPR equipment is properly registered with the FCC. Our techs are fully certified and safety trained.

4. Come to us for exceptional customer service

We are dedicated to positive experiences for our customers, as evidenced by the fact that the owner of our company works side by side with our techs. We get to the job on time, we work to provide the highest quality services, and we give direct access to our upper management to the clients. In short, we are willing to do what it takes to ensure our clients are happy.

Contact us today to get started

Are you ready to stop thinking about concrete imaging and start working on it? Then you are ready to contact Subsurface Imaging at 866-997-2327 . Reach out today with any questions you have or to set up a time for us to get to work. We are standing by.

The post Subsurface Imaging is the Right Company for the Job: Learn 4 Reasons Why appeared first on Subsurface Imaging.