At one time or another, you’ve likely heard the phrase, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” This phrase implies that there are gaps in your understanding that you are not even aware of, because you lack the information or experience to even recognize those gaps. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to consult with professionals when the stakes are high, because while you may not know the proper steps to take, or even the right questions to ask, an expert in the given field will know how to avoid problems and help ensure success.
On major home improvement projects, for example, you want to have a pro on your side—an experienced, licensed professional who can help you get the outcome you want.
You might live in a home that’s built on a concrete slab. You probably don’t think much about it. It’s just…there. But if you want to renovate your home in a way that requires cutting into that concrete slab, and you know nothing about concrete slabs, you might just assume that you could rent a concrete saw and start cutting. But you would be wrong. A knowledgeable professional, on the other hand, would know that you should scan a concrete slab prior to disturbing it.
Your concrete slab could be reinforced with post-tensioned cables. Accidentally severing one of the cables could have disastrous consequences! A snapped cable could severely injure, or even kill, anyone nearby. It could also compromise the structural integrity of your entire home! Your concrete slab may also have embedded utilities. Hitting one of those could put a real dent in your project timeline and budget. A good contractor will have the foresight to bring in a company for GPR scanning services to avoid such situations.
If you’re like most people, you’ve never heard of GPR scanning services, so you wouldn’t even know to ask about them. (You don’t know what you don’t know.) A GPR scan is not a service the average person would need on a regular basis. It’s a specialty service that involves using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to see what’s located beneath the surface without having to disturb it. GPR can “see through” concrete, asphalt, walls, soil, and more to detect anomalies that need to be avoided. GPR is used most often in the construction industry, but is also used by archeologists, law enforcement, geologists, environmental scientists, and other professionals who are “in the know” about GPR scanning services and their benefits.
If your contractor will be cutting into your concrete slab (or doing any sort of excavation on your property) and hasn’t said anything about GPR scanning services, make sure you ask about them. Because now you know!
