Ground penetrating radar locating in Quebec

What ground penetrating radar detects

Ground penetrating radar detection depth

Depth depends on the antenna frequency and the conductivity of the soil. In Quebec soils, a utility locating ground penetrating radar generally reaches one to three metres; dry sand allows deeper readings, while saturated clay and highly conductive fill limit them. A high-frequency antenna gives more detail near the surface, and a low-frequency antenna goes deeper with less resolution. For each target, the report gives the estimated depth and the confidence level.

Common applications

• Locating non-metallic conduits before trenching or directional drilling
• Searching for oil tanks and septic tanks
• Detecting voids under slabs or paving
• Finding old foundations, buried slabs and bedrock before excavation
• Complete mapping of a site for a utility plan

Use cases: choosing the right survey

For a trench, directional drilling or the installation of new equipment, a targeted survey checks the work corridor and its likely crossings. For a yard, a parking lot or a property with an incomplete history, a sweep grid gives a broader reading of conduits, voids and buried structures. We define the extent of the survey based on the area actually affected by the work, rather than presenting locating as unlimited coverage of the property.

Before an outdoor excavation, the Info-Excavation request remains the starting point for public utilities. It does not replace locating the service connections, site conduits, cables between buildings or other private utilities on the property. Ground penetrating radar and radio detection complete that process on the private portion.

Limits to know before the survey

Ground penetrating radar measures contrasts in the ground, so an anomaly does not always identify the exact nature of a target on its own. Wet clay, conductive fill, cluttered surfaces and closely spaced utilities can reduce depth or separate reflections less clearly. The results describe the area swept, the targets observed and the uncertainties noted on site. They are not a guaranteed plan of all utilities, nor an authorization to excavate.

How a survey works

1. Definition of the area and the expected precision (targeted paths or full grid).
2. Ground penetrating radar passes, with real-time reading and marking of reflections on the ground.
3. Cross-checking with radio detection to identify the nature of the targets.
4. Data processing and PDF report with plan and profiles.

Why choose Détection Souterraine Québec

• GSSI equipment for the ground (UtilityScan) and concrete (StructureScan).
• Ground penetrating radar is never used alone: radio detection identifies what the radar shows.
• Depths and confidence levels provided rather than a simple path.
• A report your engineers and excavators can use directly.

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Related services

Underground utility locating, underground tank detection and concrete scanning.

Frequently asked questions

How much does ground penetrating radar locating cost? Ground penetrating radar locating is billed according to the area to cover and the level of detail requested, from a targeted path of a few hours to a full grid over one day. Request a quote with the area and the objective.

Can ground penetrating radar see through asphalt and concrete? Yes. Asphalt and concrete are crossed without difficulty; it is the underlying soil and its moisture that determine the reading depth.

Can I rent a ground penetrating radar instead of hiring you? The equipment is available for rent, but interpreting the profiles takes experience. A reflection can be a conduit, a rock or an old trench. We deliver the interpretation and the plan, not just the data.

What is the difference with radio detection? Radio detection follows an electromagnetic signal along a metallic conductor. Ground penetrating radar detects any material contrast, metal or not. Both are used together on every job.