Concrete inspections answer two kinds of questions: what condition is this concrete in, and what is inside it before we cut or drill. We assess cracking, spalling and deterioration in slabs, walls, foundations and parking structures, and we plan and coordinate X-ray or GPR scanning so that coring and cutting don't hit reinforcing steel, post-tensioned tendons or live services.
Two reasons to call us
Condition assessment
Concrete rarely fails without warning. Cracks, rust staining, spalling, scaling and efflorescence all tell a story about moisture, chlorides, freeze-thaw cycles, overload or movement. A condition assessment reads those signs, separates cosmetic issues from structural ones, and tells you what needs repair, what needs monitoring and what needs further testing.
Scanning before cutting or coring
Before a contractor cores a slab for a new drain or cuts an opening for a stair, someone needs to know what is inside. Cutting a post-tensioned tendon or a live conduit is dangerous and expensive. Scanning locates embedded items so the cut can be placed safely.
What we look at
- Cracks: pattern, width, location, whether they are active, and what is likely causing them.
- Surface deterioration: spalling, scaling, delamination, honeycombing and exposed reinforcement.
- Corrosion signs: rust staining, cracking along bars and hollow-sounding areas.
- Water and drainage: leaks, efflorescence, ponding and failed membranes or joint sealants.
- Parking structures: slabs, ramps, expansion joints, columns and areas exposed to de-icing salts.
- Embedded items: reinforcing steel, post-tensioned tendons, conduit and pipes in areas to be cut or cored.
How it works
- Define the question. We start by asking what you need to know: the condition of a structure, the cause of a crack, or a safe location for a core or opening.
- Review drawings. Structural drawings, shop drawings and past reports tell us what should be in the concrete and how it was built.
- Site inspection. We inspect visually, sound for delamination, measure and map cracks, and photograph findings.
- Choose the scanning method. For cutting and coring, we recommend X-ray, GPR or both depending on slab thickness, access to both sides, the precision needed and the site's constraints.
- Coordinate scanning and testing. We plan the scan with your schedule and occupants. X-ray imaging is carried out by licensed radiography operators under radiation safety rules, which usually means clearing the area for a period. Lab testing of cores is done by a testing laboratory.
- Report and mark-up. You receive findings, marked locations or images showing embedded items, and recommendations for repair, monitoring or further testing.
What you get
- A written condition report with crack maps and photographs
- An explanation of likely causes and whether each issue is structural or cosmetic
- Scan results showing embedded items and clear zones for cutting or coring
- Recommendations for repair, monitoring or testing, in order of priority
- Referral to a structural engineer of record where a design or repair design is needed
Never cut post-tensioned slabs blind. Tendons in post-tensioned slabs are under very high tension. Cutting one can injure workers and weaken the structure. If a building might have post-tensioned slabs, confirm it from drawings and have the area scanned before anyone drills, cores or saws.
Who it's for
- Contractors and trades who need to core or cut existing slabs and walls
- Property managers and condo boards dealing with parkade deterioration
- Owners and buyers worried about cracks in foundations or slabs
- Facility managers planning renovations in existing concrete buildings
Learn more before you book
Our guides explain when concrete cracks are a concern, the trade-offs of X-ray vs GPR scanning, and how to plan cutting and coring safely. For lab and field tests, see concrete testing methods explained. To discuss a project, call 1-833-888-0091 or email contact@ehzee.ca.
Common questions
Should I use X-ray or GPR?
It depends on the slab, access and how precise the result needs to be. GPR works from one side and gives quick results; X-ray needs access to both sides and an exclusion zone but produces a detailed image. We recommend the method for each location.
Are all cracks a problem?
No. Most concrete cracks as it shrinks, and many cracks are cosmetic. Width, pattern, movement over time, water and rust staining are what tell us whether a crack needs attention.
Do you design repairs?
We assess condition and recommend the type of repair. Where structural repairs need to be designed and sealed, that work belongs with a structural engineer, and we can coordinate with them.