GPR Services · Metro Vancouver
Slab Leak Detection in Burnaby, BC
GPR maps the in-slab plumbing and rebar so thermal and acoustic findings convert into a single small repair patch — not a jackhammered floor. Serving Burnaby and the Metro Vancouver region with certified technicians, non-invasive methods, and insurance-ready documentation — since 1999.
Free phone consult · No pressure · Mon–Sat 8am–6pm PT
Burnaby ground conditions & what they mean for GPR
Local geology: Burnaby sits on glacial till slopes with peat pockets around Burnaby Lake and Big Bend. Till slopes give clean 2–3 m penetration; peat and high water table near Burnaby Lake and Big Bend cut effective depth — survey design accounts for it.
Local building stock: Metrotown and Brentwood tower clusters on post-tensioned slabs, 1960s–70s walk-ups mid-slope, and heavy industrial along the Fraser.
Common slab leak detection work in Burnaby
- Parkade deck scans in Metrotown towers
- Utility locates on industrial Big Bend sites
- Slab leak tracing in aging walk-ups
- Concrete scanning for Brentwood high-rise penetrations
- In-slab copper and PEX lines
- Radiant heating loops
- Post-tensioned residential slabs
How the Burnaby site visit works
- 1
Thermal pass
Infrared imaging maps the moisture or heat plume through the slab surface — the first non-invasive evidence of where the leak is.
- 2
GPR slab map
1.6 GHz GPR images every pipe, rebar bar, and PT cable in the suspect zone so we know exactly what is beneath the thermal anomaly.
- 3
Acoustic confirm
A ground microphone over the mapped pipe confirms the pressurised leak sound at the suspected point.
- 4
Patch window mark
Repair window marked between rebar/PT cables — your plumber cuts one tile-sized patch, clear of structure.
Burnaby questions, answered
Why does the GPR step matter if thermal already found the warm spot?
The warm spot tells you roughly where the water is — not where the pipe is, or what else is embedded in the slab. Cutting on thermal alone risks hitting rebar or a post-tension cable. GPR maps the slab internals so the patch lands on the pipe and nothing else.
Can you scan post-tensioned slabs?
Yes — PT cable mapping is one of GPR's core jobs. Cutting a tensioned cable is catastrophic, so on any post-1970s suspended slab we map cables first and mark the repair window between them.
Does slab thickness affect detection?
Standard 100–200 mm residential and commercial slabs are well within 1.6 GHz range. Thickened footings and toppings up to ~45 cm still image clearly; beyond that we adjust antenna frequency.
Will my floor finish be damaged?
No. GPR, thermal, and acoustic are all surface-contact, non-destructive methods. The only opening ever made is the final repair patch — by your contractor, exactly where we mark.
How deep can GPR scan in Burnaby?
Burnaby sits on glacial till slopes with peat pockets around Burnaby Lake and Big Bend. Till slopes give clean 2–3 m penetration; peat and high water table near Burnaby Lake and Big Bend cut effective depth — survey design accounts for it. We select antenna frequency to match — and where local ground limits radar depth, we pair GPR with electromagnetic locating, acoustic methods, or tracer gas so the survey objective is met regardless of soil conditions.
Do you actually work in Burnaby, or dispatch from elsewhere?
Burnaby is part of our standing Metro Vancouver service area — the same certified technicians and equipment that cover the rest of the region. Scheduling is typically within 24–72 hours, with same-day response often possible during business hours (Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm Pacific).
What does slab leak detection cost in Burnaby?
Pricing matches our province-wide structure — no regional premium for Burnaby. Most residential-scale work falls in the $350–$1,200 range depending on scope; commercial and multi-site projects are quoted after a free phone consult. Call 604-239-9934 and we will give you a tight estimate in five minutes.
Other GPR services in Burnaby
Underground Water Leak Detection in Burnaby
GPR + acoustic correlation locates buried water service line and main leaks before any excavation — typically narrowing the dig to a 1-metre window.
View servicePost-Tension Cable Mapping in Burnaby
Cutting a live PT cable releases tonnes of force instantly. GPR maps every cable before any coring, cutting, or anchoring on a post-tensioned slab.
View serviceCore Drilling Safety Scanning in Burnaby
Every core hole cleared before the bit touches concrete — rebar, PT cables, conduits, and in-slab pipes mapped at each penetration point.
View servicePipe Leak Detection in Burnaby
Any pipe, any material — metal, PVC, PEX, asbestos-cement. GPR sees what EM locators can't, and pairs with acoustic and tracer gas for the confirmation.
View serviceSlab Leak Detection near Burnaby
Need slab leak detection in Burnaby?
Free phone consult with a certified GPR technician — we will tell you whether a survey is warranted and quote it in five minutes. No pressure.