Can GPR confirm whether a void is a sinkhole?

GPR can identify anomalies consistent with a void, but a sinkhole assessment requires a licensed geotechnical engineer. GPR provides useful preliminary information to guide that investigation.

Can scan results help target where to inject grout or foam?

Yes. Void mapping helps remediation contractors focus injection ports where voids or loose fill are most likely.

Void Detection Services in Florida

Void detection scan under slab and hardscape

Subsurface Gap Detection Settlement Risk Awareness Maintenance Planning Insight

Voids under concrete slabs and pavement don't announce themselves until a section sinks, cracks, or collapses under load. In Florida, the combination of sandy soils, limestone substrate, high rainfall, and aging underground infrastructure makes subsurface void formation more common than in many other states. GPR void detection identifies suspect zones before they become costly failures.

What Causes Voids Under Florida Slabs

Soil erosion from water infiltration — rainwater or irrigation finding pathways through sandy fill and washing material out from under a slab
Broken or leaking drainage lines — a cracked storm drain or sewer pipe eroding the surrounding soil over time
Karst limestone activity — dissolution of the limestone bedrock common across much of Florida, creating subsurface cavities
Poor original compaction — fill placed without adequate compaction that settles gradually under load
Settlement over organic material — organic fill or buried debris decomposing and creating voids
Pipe abandonment — old utility pipes left in place that eventually collapse and leave a void in the soil column

What GPR Void Detection Identifies

Air gaps directly beneath slab-on-grade — GPR detects the sharp reflection at the slab-to-air boundary
Zones where the slab has lost bearing contact with the subgrade
Anomalies consistent with loose or disturbed fill below the slab surface
Areas of suspected delamination within multi-layer concrete or pavement sections
Pipe routes that may be contributing to ongoing erosion

What GPR Void Detection Cannot Confirm

The exact depth or volume of a detected void — GPR provides approximate depth estimates, not precise measurements
Whether a void is actively growing or stable — a follow-up geotechnical investigation is required to determine that
Soil bearing capacity — GPR identifies anomalies, not load-bearing properties
The cause of the void — that typically requires a combination of visual inspection and geotechnical testing

We communicate findings as anomaly zones with recommended follow-up, not definitive engineering assessments. GPR results inform the next step — they don't replace it.

When to Schedule Void Detection

Slab-on-grade showing cracks, settlement, or deflection under foot traffic or equipment
Pavement with visible depressions, pumping, or edge breaks
Before staging heavy equipment on a slab with unknown subgrade history
Before slab lifting, mudjacking, or polyurethane foam injection — to confirm where material is needed
Pre-purchase due diligence on commercial property with older concrete
After a nearby water main break or pipe failure

What You Receive

Scan coverage of the target area in a grid pattern
Paint markings on the surface indicating anomaly zones for priority follow-up
Verbal briefing on findings and recommended next steps
On request: photo documentation and a written summary for facility managers, engineers, or owners

Schedule Void Detection Scanning in Florida

Tell us the area of concern, any observed settlement, and the access conditions. We will confirm scheduling quickly.

Request a Void Detection Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

GPR can identify subsurface anomalies consistent with a void or disturbed zone, but a sinkhole assessment requires a licensed geotechnical engineer and typically includes standard penetration testing (SPT) or ground probing. GPR provides useful preliminary information that can guide where to focus that investigation.

Yes. Void mapping helps remediation contractors and engineers focus injection ports in the zones where voids or loose fill are most likely — avoiding guesswork in repair sequencing.

Scan coverage depends on site access and the scan grid spacing needed. A focused area of a few hundred square feet can typically be covered in one visit. Larger areas — parking lots, warehouse floors — may require more time or multiple mobilizations. Send us the scope and we will give you a realistic estimate.

Same-day or next-day scheduling is available for most Florida locations depending on scope and travel.