Can you scan both the top and bottom mat?

In most slabs the top mat is clearly visible. The bottom mat can often be identified depending on slab thickness, concrete mix, and moisture.

Do you also check for PT tendons during a rebar scan?

Yes. On any scan where PT is possible, we look for tendon indicators and flag PT risk zones alongside the rebar findings.

Rebar Scanning in Florida

Rebar Grid Identification Depth Confidence Safer Core Locations

Before you drill an anchor, install a dowel, or lay out a saw cut, you need to know where the reinforcement is. Hitting rebar with an anchor drill bit can ruin the bit, crack the surrounding concrete, and void the anchor's load rating. Cutting a primary bar during a saw cut can compromise structural integrity. A rebar scan maps the steel inside the slab so your crew knows where to place anchors, where to cut, and where to route penetrations before any work begins.

When Rebar Scanning Is Used

Adhesive and mechanical anchor installation — knowing bar location lets you place anchors in clear windows between bars, maximizing embedment and avoiding bar contact
Dowel drilling into existing slabs or walls — avoids cutting through structural steel when extending or connecting concrete elements
Handrail and equipment base plate installation — anchor patterns can be adjusted to fall between bars
Saw cutting layout — understanding bar direction and depth prevents unintended cuts through primary reinforcement
Core drilling — rebar mapping is typically done alongside PT cable scanning before any core program
Structural repairs — locating existing reinforcement before chipping, patching, or connecting new steel

What the Scan Shows

Bar run direction — most reinforced slabs have two perpendicular mat directions
Approximate bar spacing within each mat
Approximate depth of the top mat and, where detectable, the bottom mat
Congested zones where bars are closely stacked or bundled
Clear windows between bars where anchor placement is feasible

What Rebar Scanning Cannot Confirm

Exact bar diameter — GPR identifies the presence and path of reinforcement, not the specific bar size
Bar continuity — whether a bar runs the full span or terminates mid-slab
Bar condition or corrosion state
Whether a conflict is structural or secondary — that assessment requires the engineer of record

What You Receive

Paint or chalk marks on the slab or wall showing bar run directions
Marked clear windows between bars for your anchor or drill pattern
Identification of congested zones to avoid
Verbal briefing with the installer or foreman before work starts
On request: photo documentation for QA records or engineer review

Schedule Rebar Scanning for Your Next Drilling Project

Tell us the anchor schedule, drill diameter, and slab type. We will confirm scheduling and arrive ready to mark clear points for your crew.

Request a Rebar Scanning Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. After mapping the reinforcement grid, we mark locations between bars where anchors can be placed without contacting primary steel. If congestion is too high to find a clear window at the required spacing, we flag that for your team to coordinate with the engineer.

In most slabs, the top mat is clearly visible. The bottom mat can often be identified as well, though detection quality depends on slab thickness, concrete mix, and moisture. We will tell you what we can and cannot confirm at your specific slab.

Yes. On any scan where PT is possible, we look for tendon indicators as part of the same scan pass and flag any PT risk zones alongside the rebar findings.

Same-day or next-day scheduling is available for most Florida locations. Contact us with the project address and anchor count.