Drilling holes in concrete - from preparation for work to finishing

In what cases is diamond drilling suitable for walls and concrete floors?

Often, when carrying out construction work, craftsmen need to accurately process concrete slabs, as well as brickwork or other durable materials, including natural stone.
How to cope with a task that requires advanced qualifications from a specialist and is particularly complex? Diamond concrete drilling technology will come to the rescue. Experts warn that it is recommended to trust any activities in this area to knowledgeable and experienced engineers. High-tech equipment allows you to achieve a perfectly straight hole. It maintains the trajectory initially set by the operator and drills without the slightest deviation. Drilling concrete using the diamond method will be optimal where it is necessary to eliminate any load on the main supporting structures. Why is there no vibration when drilling? This is facilitated by a special attachment, which is made in the form of a hollow, durable crown. The product allows you to drill geometrically correct holes of any depth. There is a significant range of diameters, which varies from 20 and sometimes reaches 550.

Today, the diamond drilling procedure for concrete is used on most construction sites. Why? Because this is an excellent alternative to tools such as a jackhammer and the well-known hammer drill. People are gradually abandoning the use of traditional tools and this is an indisputable fact. Let's look at why this happens:

• There is a high noise level and strong vibration;
• Cracks and chips may appear on the concrete surface being treated;
• The appearance of a large amount of dust, etc.

A new type of concrete drilling allows an engineer to drill not only this type of material, but also stone, brick wall, marble, etc. Of course, when using a drilling rig, there is a certain level of noise, but it is not capable of causing any discomfort to a person. You can forget about constant complaints from neighbors, as well as people nearby.

Briefly about the main thing

To drill a hole in concrete, use a powerful drill or hammer drill.

The bits must be strong enough to penetrate the stone without getting damaged. When working with walls that have reinforcement, you will need a metal nozzle.

Before you start drilling, you need to check whether there are any wires or pipes running inside the wall. It is also advisable to make sure that there is no reinforcement.

The process itself is simple and requires only care and skill. The main thing is not to overheat the tool’s motor and make sure that the drill does not go to the side.

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Diamond drilling of concrete bases - advantages and disadvantages of the method

The holes required by the engineer in certain materials must be made not only with high geometric accuracy, but also differ in their depth and size. When choosing a diamond drilling technology, we can assume that it is universal. It will be possible to achieve a solution to the task in a wide range of planned works.

Experts note a wide range of advantages, and they will be discussed below:

• Increased convenience when drilling not only in vertical, but also horizontal planes;
• You can drill a hole at any angle that is needed in a particular location;
• You can start the procedure almost anywhere, since there are no clear requirements for the location and working conditions;
• Excellent positioning accuracy of the hole in place is guaranteed. The main thing is to set the required parameters correctly and you can count on a positive result without the formation of defects;
• Relatively high drilling speed. On average, a master can drill up to 5 centimeters in one minute;
• Wide range of technologically advanced and safe equipment.

If we look at the disadvantages of the method, we should note the need for running water. Although there is equipment that has a separate container, which only needs to be filled once with clean water. Some versions of the equipment may function, generally carried water cooling, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to maintain cleanliness in the room. In addition, operating equipment without water cooling will necessarily lead to rapid wear of consumables. Let us remind you that branded diamond segments are much more expensive than conventional impact devices.

Drilling machines

The modern market offers a significant range of equipment for organizing work in the field of drilling using the method in question. However, only a few brands have gained recognition and distribution among professional users. Almost every installation for diamond drilling of concrete foundations includes several basic devices in its design. All of them are required to implement various tasks. When the components are assembled on site, a functional drilling system is obtained. Let's look at what exactly is included in the equipment package, using the Husqvarna DMS 240 model as a basis:

• Basic metal legs for permanent installation. Thanks to this design, the equipment allows you to make the necessary adjustments. The position of the tool is adjusted to ensure maximum operator comfort;
• The motor that drives the drilling system;
• Vacuum pump. It is required to minimize vibrations as well as vibration that is generated when using the equipment. If all settings are made correctly, drilling will not result in crumbling of the hole edges.

Safety precautions

Basic safety rules when drilling concrete walls:

1. When using diamond tools, wear protective clothing for the operator. The protection kit includes goggles to prevent fine dust from getting into your eyes.
2. It is prohibited to drop the working tool and strike it. Before drilling into concrete, the reliability of the tool’s fixation in the chuck is checked.
3. Local legal requirements must be taken into account when carrying out repair work. For example, in Moscow it is allowed to carry out repairs in residential premises from 09-00 to 13-00 and from 15-00 to 19-00.

Since electrical cables are laid in the walls, all work is carried out after the power supply in the room is turned off. Power to the instrument is supplied from a separate outlet connected to the distribution board. When using a water-cooled tool, ensure that no liquid gets into the electrical connectors.

Main components of a drilling rig

Experts call a replaceable bit coated with diamonds a key element of drilling equipment. Manufacturers offer them in a wide range. The differences are in diameter, as well as in the type of material. Over time, during constant use, the crown wears out, and therefore at some point it must be replaced. Models of drilling rigs also differ significantly from each other. Masters determine them by power level, motor rotation speed, as well as the maximum possible drilling diameter.

If you need to drill a small hole in the wall, use models without a stand. To hold the equipment in your hands, it is complemented by comfortable handles. In specialized retail outlets, installations are sold individually or as a set. If we identify the most affordable, as well as more or less reliable options, you should pay attention to brands such as:

• DIAM, model CSN-254N;
• DMS 240 from Husqvarna;
• Shibuya - TS 162;
• CEDIMA P-3000.

Important nuances and drilling steps

Any activity related to drilling in concrete building material must be carried out according to a certain pattern. At the very beginning, the drilling specialist selects the optimal equipment. Next, you should drill a through hole of a smaller diameter. It is located exactly in the middle of the hole, which is actually necessary. Most often, concrete is drilled from both sides. So, before starting the procedure, it is important to meet the following requirements:

• Provide access to running water at the construction site;
• Free up the space necessary to solve the task at hand. The installation should be installed in a place where nothing will interfere with it;
• It’s important to choose the right drill that can meet all the parameters, including depth. Next, a diamond crown with the required diameter is selected.

Drilling time depends entirely on the strength level and characteristics of the material. For example, in the case of drilling an ordinary brick wall, a positive result can be achieved in a few tens of minutes. A perfectly straight hole will be obtained if the equipment is securely fastened.

Choosing a tool

What is necessary, the first question that a home craftsman should ask himself is not how to drill a concrete wall with reinforcement, but with what. The main assistant here will be a hammer drill, because it is intended for stone and not concrete. Despite this, even massive drills cannot cope with a wall more than 12 cm wide. How to make a groove and secure the cable in it. Although if we are talking about foam concrete, a drill is preferable, because a hammer drill will simply break it.

The properties of the drill also determine whether it will be possible to drill a hole in a concrete wall.

One good option is to use drill bits designed specifically for impact drilling. Their working part is a plate made of strong metal. With the help of these drills, the question of how to drill through a thin concrete wall can be considered resolved.

Proper organization of drilling of a concrete base

When using the drilling method with diamond cores, it is important to properly organize the entire range of planned activities. The technology allows drilling on perfectly flat, concave, and convex surfaces. The installations can be used in tunnels or arched structures. Another main criterion is the choice of drilling option, namely dry or using water. Here the engineer will need to decide on the structure of the material being processed.

According to statistics, drilling without the use of a fluid reservoir is rarely used. It is suitable only in cases where the master does not have a container for collecting water, and there is also a real danger of electric shock to a person. Most often, when drilling holes in reinforced concrete, moisture is used to constantly cool the bit and collect the resulting dust. Here is how the initial preparation for completing the list of works is carried out:

• The engineer selects the optimal diameter of the bit that will be used during drilling;
• The drilling rig is selected based on the type of material;
• Markings are applied where exactly the hole will be located;
• After installation of the equipment, the supply of water and electricity is organized.

The better to drill

As already mentioned, there are several ways to drill through a concrete wall; let’s look at each of them in more detail.

Hammer

When using a hammer drill or impact drill, they must be switched to impact mode, a working tool with a pobedite tip is inserted and it must be directed perpendicular to the wall surface.

If drilling holes takes a long time, then periodically you need to wet the drill so that it does not overheat too much.

After you have drilled to the required depth, you must pull the working tool back without turning off the hammer drill. To clean the finished hole from dust, you need to deepen and pull out the drill several times.

A regular drill or screwdriver

If you do not have the tools described above, then this work can be done using a conventional electric drill or a powerful screwdriver.

Drilling will take more time than using a hammer drill, but you can do it yourself.

In this case, in addition to a drill and a drill bit, you will also need a punch. First, a small depression is made at the drilling site using a punch and a hammer.

After this, they insert the working tool into it and begin to drill. If the drill stops, break the hard areas again with a punch and continue working.

Although a regular electric drill or screwdriver is not suitable for working with concrete, if you don’t have a hammer drill, you can make several small holes with these tools, but you need to use a spear-shaped drill with a carbide tip, usually used for tiles.

Diamond drilling

This is the most effective way to quickly and easily make a hole of the required diameter in a concrete wall.

To perform the above work, you will need special equipment consisting of the following elements:

1. electric motor;
2. a stand that is securely fixed to the base;
3. core drill.

There is no need to cool the drill during operation, as water is supplied to it, which not only cools the tool, but also prevents dust from forming.

If specialists work, then together with the specified equipment they use a vacuum cleaner, with which they remove dust and water.

Since the price of such equipment is very high, it is not advisable to buy it for domestic use. If it is necessary to make a hole of a large diameter, you can always invite specialists for this.

Cost of drilling services in Moscow and the region

Unfortunately, as statistics show, the technology we are considering is slightly more expensive for customers when compared with various alternative methods of drilling holes. However, as already mentioned, it has a lot of advantages and is sometimes simply irreplaceable in certain situations. Of course, if a person has experience behind him and is oriented in the construction industry, he can carry out drilling on his own. This will save a certain amount of money. On the other hand, it is necessary to recall that specialized equipment is very expensive, and some of its models exceed the amount of a million rubles.

If you are not engaged in drilling professionally, the most cost-effective option is to contact an authorized company that can calculate an estimate for a range of services in the field of high-quality drilling. The main factor determining the price is the total number of holes, as well as their location, depth and diameter. The larger the diameter of the hole, the higher the price of the service. Below we consider additional factors that affect the cost of planned activities:

• It is required to drill in hard-to-reach places, including at heights;
• There is a need to drill at a given angle;
• In the absence of a central electrical network, as well as water supply communications.

Serious companies, by agreement, are ready to carry out additional work for a fee, for example in the area of ​​site preparation. Engineers will carry out the marking procedure, organize the removal of construction waste, etc. If you need the services of certified engineers, we strongly recommend that you call our employees. Get a consultation absolutely free, make a decision and register the appropriate request.