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When sinkholes and soil instability arise, immediate action must be taken as they can result in serious structural damage, threaten safety, and become financially straining. The earth we stand on seems solid, but this may not always be the case below the surface. Over time, underground voids created by dissolved rocks with the addition of soil erosion may cause the ground to sink further, disturbing properties and surroundings and harming human lives. Ground penetrating radar is a great tool in identifying areas where sinkholes are likely to occur, and areas that indicate soil instability before it further develops into a life-threatening disaster.
Many reasons contribute to underground voids. Water erosion over time would naturally create these voids below the surface. Manmade activities also contribute to these voids when oil tanks are not properly removed, utilities are abandoned underground, and tunnels are not dismantled. GPR provides advanced scanning technology for detecting those voids by sending electromagnetic waves into the ground and measuring the reflected signals. Any anomaly in reflected signals could indicate the presence of empty spaces or weak soil ready to collapse. Left undetected, the voids will go unnoticed until they finally bring down the ground above them. By using GPR, expert technicians can identify weak zones and take preventive measures before major structural failures occur.
Certain soils do not have sufficient stability to support heavy weights of buildings or roads. Some will move more with moisture, while others will become disturbed from below. Loose soil, poorly compacted, or inadequately backfilled excavation sites will settle unevenly, resulting in cracks appearing in the foundation that may indicate potential structural weakening below. Ground penetrating radar analyzes density and consistency conditions found in the subsurface layers to determine the areas where such soil conditions are unsuitable for construction. By scanning a location before the start of any major project, additional reinforcement, drainage solutions, or soil remediation can be addressed to prevent long-term stability issues. This precaution reduces risk and ensures a robust foundation.
Water is the greatest contributor to sinkholes and unstable soil. Underground leaks, poor drainage, and the natural flow of underground water can wash away soil, making it difficult to find areas that are hidden. GPR technology scans any progress made and measures the moisture changes under the surface to indicate the areas where water is eroding the soil. Detecting early signs of water erosion allows early planning for preventive actions, including improving drainage systems, waterproofing barriers, or targeted soil stabilization treatments. If this is not done, erosion will result in dangerous conditions, leading to unforeseen collapses.
Sinkholes and soil instability affect landscapes as well as buildings, roads, and utilities lying below ground. With very short notice, sudden collapses can cause emergency repair tasks, which later lead to catastrophic structural failures and safety hazards. Sinkhole disasters become costly to remediate since preventing and detecting them is far cheaper. Carrying out routine site investigations with ground penetrating radar minimizes these financial and safety risks. Rather than reacting to damage caused by sinkhole problems, site owners and developers can adopt a proactive approach to identify weaknesses before they escalate.
At West Coast Tank Recovery, we understand the need for proactive site assessment and safety. Our ground penetrating radar services offer real-time, accurate information on subsurface conditions to prevent sinkholes, soil instability, and expensive damages. With our team, your site will be protected with every project.