Fully Licensed and Insured
Request an Oil Tank Scan
Request a Free Estimate
Fully Licensed and InsuredRequest an Oil Tank ScanRequest a Free Estimate 
If you need to verify whether or not your property is hiding an underground oil tank, there is no better way to do it than with a skilled technician and a GPR scan. But what is a GPR scan, and how can it detect obstructions like oil tanks buried several feet underground? Let’s dig in.
A ground penetrating radar scan uses radio waves and electromagnetic signals to locate objects underground. Unlike older methods of uncovering underground oil tanks, which typically included a bit of educated guesswork and a lot of digging, a GPR scan can quite literally get to the root of your problem in a few hours with no disruption to your property.
GPR equipment consists of three main components: the antenna, the control unit, and the power source.
Antenna
The antenna acts as the connection between the control unit and whatever is being mapped underground; it receives and amplifies the signal from the control unit before transmitting it underground. When the waves hit something, they bounce back and are detected by the antenna to create a visual map of what’s hidden below the surface.
There are various antenna frequencies used for different jobs. Lower-frequency antennas (10 MHz to 100 MHz) can penetrate deeper into the ground but offer lower resolution. Higher-frequency antennas (up to 2.6 GHz) deliver higher resolution at shallower depths, which is what you’ll typically see used for residential GPR scans.
Control Unit
The body of the GRP unit itself sort of resembles a hi-tech lawnmower. But don’t let that fool you. The GPR control unit is responsible for triggering the radar pulses that are sent to the antenna and collecting the electromagnetic pulses sent back up to the surface. It’s a sophisticated system that features an in-built computer, pre-loaded control software, and solid-state storage for quick data examination. Most models include a live monitor that allows technicians to review and interpret scan results on the spot.
Power Source
GPR scanning equipment is designed to go anywhere it needs to. Everything from the antenna to the control units is powered by long-life lithium batteries.
As discussed earlier in the blog, GPR equipment uses electromagnetic waves to detect objects hiding underground. The control unit generates energy waves, which are transmitted underground via the antenna. When those waves hit something solid like a buried oil tank, they bounce back to the receiver. The control unit then processes these signals into images, giving technicians a glimpse of what lies beneath the surface.
All this work transforming electromagnetic waves into visual is done using specialized software. As the antenna moves along the ground, the software creates colour-coded images where brighter colours indicate stronger signals. These images can even be turned into 3D maps or CAD drawings, making it easier to differentiate underground oil tanks from other obstructions like utilities or tree roots.
GPR depth depends on a few factors, including soil type, moisture, and antenna frequency. Lower frequencies can reach several metres underground but offer less detail. Higher frequencies provide sharper images but only at shallower depths. Good GPR scan technicians will evaluate conditions and typically use multiple scans at various frequencies to balance depth and resolution and get you the most accurate results.
Without a doubt, a GPR scan is one of the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective ways to locate underground oil tanks without digging up your property. Whether you’re planning renovations, buying a property, or need confirmation for insurance purposes, GPR scanning provides the peace of mind you need to move forward with confidence.