Concrete Scanning Sydney
Concrete scanning tells you what is inside a slab before you cut into it. Locate & Map scans across Sydney ahead of coring, cutting and drilling, using ground penetrating radar to image reinforcement, services and structure in real time. The scan takes a fraction of the time a repair would, and it is the difference between a clean penetration and a very bad afternoon.
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When You Need a Scan
Three jobs account for most of the concrete scanning we do.
Before coring. Plumbing and electrical penetrations, riser holes, drainage. You need a hole where the reinforcement is not.
Before cutting. Saw cuts through slabs, walls and decks for openings, stairs and lift shafts. A saw does not stop when it finds a cable.
Before drilling. Anchor bolts, hold-downs, fixings for balustrade and plant. Shallow drilling still reaches mesh and conduit.
If you are penetrating a suspended slab, a post-tensioned deck or a structure with services cast into it, the scan is not optional in practice. It is the step that makes the penetration safe to sign off.
What We Detect
Using subsurface imaging techniques including GPR, our team identifies material variation inside slabs and structures:
- Rebar and steel mesh
- Post-tension and pre-tension cables
- Pipes and cables cast into the slab
- Conduits and electrical wiring
- Voids, cracks and deterioration
- Safe core drilling positions
You get more than the location of the steel. You also get an indication of the quality and integrity of what is there, which is what lets a structural engineer make a call on where the penetration can safely go.
Post-Tension Cables
Post-tension cables carry the load in a modern suspended slab. Cutting one is a life-safety event and a structural failure at the same time, and the remediation cost on a live site is severe.
GPR detects post-tension tendons ahead of the cut. We mark the tendon paths on the surface, along with the rebar and any services in the way, and we mark the zones where a penetration can be made without touching them. On post-tensioned decks we scan the full penetration footprint rather than a single point, because tendon paths curve through the slab and a clear point does not mean a clear hole.
Rebar Mapping and Slab Thickness
For structural work, we map reinforcement layout across the area you nominate: bar spacing, cover depth and layer arrangement. That data supports strengthening design, condition assessment and remedial planning.
Where a slab is accessible from one face only, GPR can also indicate thickness from the return off the back of the slab. How well that works depends on the concrete: heavy reinforcement, high moisture content and dense mesh all reduce what the radar can see through. We confirm on site what is achievable rather than promising a number in advance.
Real-Time Imaging
Our scans are read live on site. Marks go straight onto the concrete in front of your crew, so the person doing the coring is looking at the same information our operator is.
Where the job needs documentation, we can issue the scan as a plan through our in-house drafting team, in the same 12d, DWG and PDF formats we use for utility mapping.
A note on terminology. Many people search for “concrete x-ray” when what they need is a GPR scan. True radiography uses radiation, requires an exclusion zone and access to both faces of the slab. GPR needs one face, no exclusion zone, and delivers a result on the spot. We cover the difference in more detail on our concrete x-ray page.
We turn 10 years old this year!
We’re turning 10 years old this July and there’s never been a better time to see what we’re all about. Watch our video to discover how Locate & Map can support your project from start to finish. With a decade of experience behind us, you can trust us to get it right the first time.
Ceritified Locators
At Locate & Map, all our locator surveyors are CertLoc accredited (previously known as BYDA accreditation), ensuring they meet the highest industry standards for locating underground utilities.
This certification means our team is trained, tested, and qualified to work safely and accurately across a wide range of project types. Whether it’s for residential, commercial, or infrastructure work, you can trust that our locators use best-practice techniques, follow all relevant guidelines, and are equipped with the latest technology to get the job done right.
When you work with Locate & Map, you’re not just hiring a locator — you’re working with certified professionals who are committed to delivering clear, precise results every time.
24Hr Service
At Locate & Map, we understand that time-sensitive projects don’t always fit into a 9–5 schedule. That’s why we offer a reliable 24 hour service, working day and night to support your needs and minimise disruption on site.
Whether it’s an emergency locate, night works, or a tight construction timeline, our team is ready to respond quickly and safely. We coordinate closely with our clients and contractors to ensure all work is carried out with care, precision and full compliance — no matter the hour.
With a strong focus on safety and communication, you can trust Locate & Map to deliver dependable service when you need it most.
Professional Reports
At Locate & Map, we provide detailed and accurate reports tailored to your project requirements. Our deliverables are available in 12d, DWG, and PDF formats, making them easy to integrate into your existing workflows — whether you’re an engineer, surveyor, architect or project manager.
Every report is prepared by experienced professionals to ensure clarity, precision, and compatibility with industry-standard software. No matter your field, we’ll make sure you receive the data you need in the format you prefer.
Cost Effective
With over a decade of industry experience, Locate & Map knows how to keep your project running on time and within budget. Our streamlined processes, skilled team, and accurate data help reduce costly delays, design changes, and safety risks on site.
By identifying underground utilities correctly the first time, we help you avoid unnecessary surprises and rework — saving both time and money. When you partner with Locate & Map, you’re investing in efficiency, accuracy, and long-term value.
Why Sydney Builders Call Locate & Map
- CertLoc accredited locator surveyors, previously known as BYDA accreditation
- More than a decade of Sydney work, from residential to major infrastructure
- Real-time marking on site, with documented plans available when you need them
- 24 hour service, so scans can be done outside occupied hours in live buildings
- The same crews handle GPR scanning in the ground and in the slab
If your project also has buried services around the structure, our utility locating service covers the ground outside the building envelope.
Client Testimonials
We had a great experience with Locate and Map. Their service was professional, efficient, and very helpful throughout the entire process.
The team was easy to communicate with, always willing to assist, and went the extra mile to make sure everything was done right.
Highly recommend them – truly a great company to work with!
Wow, Locate and Map are a pleasure to work with. They are very professional and always respectful. They do a fantastic job all-round and have been a pleasure to work with and for.
I would recommend them to anyone requiring locating survey or utility services.
Locate & Map is an outstanding local company that truly walks the talk when it comes to supporting community. Whether it’s sponsoring local carols or backing junior sports teams, they never miss an opportunity to get behind our community. Always willing to answer the call and help the next generation thrive — we’re so grateful for their ongoing support!
Sydney Service Areas
We scan concrete across Sydney Metro and the surrounding regions:
Concrete scanning Sydney | Concrete scanning Parramatta | Concrete scanning Penrith | Concrete scanning Liverpool | Concrete scanning Blacktown | Concrete scanning Bankstown | Concrete scanning Campbelltown | Concrete scanning Chatswood | Concrete scanning Manly
Book a GPR Scan in Sydney
Send us the structure, the penetration locations and your program. We will scan, mark and, if you need it, document the result. Call (02) 8753 0049 or use our contact page.
Locate & Map. 201/49 Queens Rd, Five Dock NSW 2046.