Mapping abandoned underground utilities prevents costly delays and safety risks. South-East Scanning uses GPR to detect hidden infrastructure before construction begins. 👉 What’s lurking underground that no one knows about?
🔎 Mapping Abandoned Underground Infrastructure:
Why It Matters for New Developments
Across South-East Queensland – from inner-city Brisbane to older coastal suburbs – many sites are sitting on a patchwork of forgotten infrastructure:
🧱 Disused sewer lines
🔌 Abandoned electrical conduits
🚰 Old clay or cast-iron water mains
🛢 Historical stormwater drains and mystery pipes
These aren’t always marked on plans—and Dial Before You Dig won’t show them. But ignoring them? That’s a recipe for costly delays, safety hazards, and unexpected design changes.
💡 This is where Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) steps in
GPR allows us to:
✅ Detect undocumented or abandoned utilities below the surface
✅ Distinguish between live and dead assets
✅ Identify voids or degradation in old materials
✅ Provide developers with clear, real-time mapping before work begins
One of the most common issues we come across is abandoned infrastructure interfering with new foundation layouts or piling designs. If left undetected, these relics can cause slab instability, void formation, or even redirect groundwater flow, undermining the structure long-term. Early detection saves not only cost, but structural integrity and peace of mind.
In one recent case on Brisbane’s northside, our GPR team uncovered an entire abandoned stormwater system buried beneath a commercial redevelopment site—none of it documented. The builder was able to adjust the footing design early, avoiding delays and preventing a very expensive mid-project redesign.
How We Help
🎯 Whether you’re planning a high-rise, a subdivision, or even a commercial extension—knowing what’s beneath your site is just as important as what goes on top.
Our Approach At South East Scanning
At South-East Scanning, we work with builders, engineers, and planners to uncover the unknowns, protect your timeline, and keep your project moving safely from day one.
Have you ever found something unexpected underground on a job? We’d love to hear your story. 👇
