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Before something new can be built, most construction work starts with demolition or excavation. But what is hidden beneath the surface might return to haunt you. Buried oil tanks or septic tanks are more common than most realize, especially on older properties. Missing one during planning or excavation can have serious legal, financial, and even environmental consequences.
That is where GPR tank locating comes in. Ground penetrating radar is one of the most accurate and non-intrusive methods of surveying a location before breaking ground. Yet, many homeowners, contractors, and developers skip this step, opting for a wait-and-see approach. Unfortunately, by the time something unexpected does happen, it is generally too late.
Failing to detect and safely remove an underground storage tank before construction can result in serious legal problems. Most districts have laws mandating the detection and removal of underground tanks, especially if they have held oil. You can be heavily fined for accidentally disturbing or damaging a tank, even if you were not the one who originally installed it.
In some cases, exposure from a broken tank can trigger an environmental investigation. Once the ground or water beneath and around the area is found to be contaminated, you can be held legally liable for the full cost of cleanup, even if it is unknown to you that the tank existed. Property owners are responsible for any incidents that occur on or under their property, and GPR tank locating helps with exactly that.
The financial impact of a lost or buried tank extends far beyond the initial cost of discovery and repair. When you start a project and encounter an unexpected obstacle, the entire operation grinds to a halt. Trades are put on hold and equipment sits idle as contaminated soil is dug up and disposed of, resulting in expensive and time-consuming losses.
Insurance and financing can also become problematic. Home insurance rarely, if ever, extends to the cleanup or removal of underground oil tanks. If you are attempting to renew a policy with an existing tank in place, the provider may be unwilling to extend coverage. It’s a similar situation with lenders. Many lenders will not provide financing for properties with known underground oil tanks due to the associated liability risk, which can put your entire project at risk.
All of these unknowns could be avoided with GPR tank locating. The upfront investment is negligible compared to the thousands of dollars in delay and remediation costs that often accompany a missed tank.
One of the primary advantages of GPR tank locating is that it enables scanning your entire property without the need for digging. The instrument emits high-frequency radar waves into the ground and detects irregularities below the surface. If there is a tank, even one that is decades old or partially decomposed, the radar can detect its shape and depth. This allows for precise planning for removal.
For properties with many past owners or missing documents, GPR scanning offers peace of mind. Even if you are convinced that there is no tank hidden underground, documented assurance that your property is safe from the hazards of a buried tank is better than regretting it later when it is too late.
We understand construction deadlines are tight, and finances are tighter. But saving time or money by skipping a simple GPR scan is not worth the gamble. The cost of a missed tank can bring things to a halt, wipe out your resources, and present a nightmare no homeowner wants to face.
At West Coast Tank Recovery, we specialize in GPR tank locating for residential homeowners, developers, contractors, and environmental consultants. We believe that the best project is the one started on solid ground above and below the surface.