Core Drilling Explained
Concrete drilling is the process of cutting a cylindrical hole in concrete, granite and a variety of other hard materials with the help of a special drill. It is widely used in the construction industry, geotechnical engineering and various other industries. While the primary use of core drilling is to cut a hole, sometimes it is also used to extract the material to be studied.
While there are separable applications of concrete coring, here’s a list of some of the most common applications:
- Utility holes
- Reinforcements
- Plumbing pipes
- HVAC ducts
- Sprinkler systems
- Electrical conduits
Sometimes, it may also be needed if a new window or door has to be cut out of an existing concrete wall.
How Does Concrete Core Drilling Work?
For proper concrete core drilling, a specific drill bit is required along with some accessories. The cutting edge of the drill bit is made of industrial diamonds just like blades used for other types of concrete cutting.
The drill used in the process is extremely powerful and heavy and there are a number of different types of drills used for the process.
If the diameter of the hole to be cut is less than 3 inches, a hand-held drill is generally preferred but if the hole diameter is bigger than 3 inches, a drill with a standard attachment is used to keep the equipment in place.
Wet Vs Dry Core Drilling
Just like other types of concrete cutting, it could also be performed in wet or dry conditions. Wet core drilling is typically more efficient as the core tends to move faster compared to dry cutting. Wet core drilling also typically leaves a more finished surface as the dust generation is kept to a minimum during the process.
Wet core drilling is preferred for cutting a hole through reinforced concrete, soft or hard brick as well as concrete. In most cases, it is used for cutting into floors, walls or ceilings as well as for plumbing work or for the installation of electrical conduits.
The dry core drilling process is similar to wet drilling with the only difference being the absence of water for lubrication. Dry core drilling is used in cases where water can’t be used. For instance, if there are electrical wires nearby, you obviously can’t use water.
Benefits of Core Drilling
Core drilling offers a number of advantages compared to other cutting methods. Some of these advantages include:
1). It produces much less vibration and noise compared to other types of drilling methods such as using a hammer drill which makes it ideal for use in places where noise can be a problem such as schools, offices or hospitals.
2). It does not make too much mess which is not the case with other methods of drilling.
3). It is a much safer process of cutting through concrete compared to other methods.
4). It is a much more efficient process when it comes to concrete cutting as it is more accurate and more effective.
5).. It also costs less compared to other methods of concrete cutting.
How to Hire a Core Drilling Service?
If you need to hire a company offering core drilling services, here are a few things you need to consider to make the right choice:
- Make sure they are properly licensed for concrete cutting
- Check out their experience in the industry
- Find more about the equipment used by them
- Check out the experience and qualifications of the professionals who are going to do the job
- Find out if they are also going to take care of cleaning once the drilling is complete
- Make sure they are properly insured
- Make sure they follow the recommended safety practices
- Don’t forget to get a detailed estimate outlining the project details as well as a detailed breakdown of the cost
Final Thoughts
Concrete core drilling has been widely used in the construction industry for decades. It is a cheaper, more efficient and overall better process of cutting holes through concrete compared to the other methods. However, you will only get the desired results if you engage the services of a reliable, professional and experienced company.
Vic Sawing & Drilling offers a wide range of reliable and affordable concrete cutting and drilling services across all of Victoria. We have plenty of experience in the industry and are capable of tackling all kinds of jobs.
If you are looking for a concrete cutting company that is trustworthy and reliable, then don’t go past VIC Sawing and Drilling concrete cutting services. Please call us today on (03) 8786 3621 or leave an enquiry.