Drilling holes in concrete - from preparation for work to finishing

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How to drill a hole in concrete

Quite often it is necessary to drill holes in concrete during construction work and its completion. And doing it yourself is a convenient and useful skill. This will allow you to easily hang shelves on the wall, hang your favorite paintings, attach lamps and perform many other operations.

Drilling holes in concrete is not too difficult, but the correct selection of tools and adherence to several rules will save effort and time when performing the work. This will be discussed in the article.

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.

Preparing for work

Before starting work, the drill is installed in the tool. The centralized electrical supply in the room is turned off. To supply current, extension cords are used that are connected to the distribution box. The operator wears safety glasses and a mask to protect the eyes and respiratory system from dust.

Drilling a hole

The user needs to know how to drill a concrete wall correctly. A tool with a drill or auger installed is installed on a pre-marked wall. The equipment is held by the main handle with the right hand, the left hand holds the drill body.

If there is a side handle, the operator supports the equipment with his left hand, tightly gripping the handle with his hand.

The drill rests on the surface of the wall, then the motor turns on at low speed. If a rotation speed regulator is not provided, then the operator gives several switching pulses for 1-2 seconds, ensuring that the cutting edge of the drill deepens into the concrete surface.

At the same time, the perpendicularity of the axes of the tool and the concrete wall is controlled. Then drilling is carried out with the impact mode turned on, the cutting speed is determined by the force of pressing the drill and the rotational speed of the drill or drill.

When drilling deep holes, it is recommended to remove the drill from the channel to remove dust and chips. When encountering metal reinforcement, it is permissible to use a metal drill; in most cases, the impact force of the drill in a hammer drill is sufficient to destroy a rod made of mild structural steel.

Tips for performing work

Before drilling a hole in concrete, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with these helpful guidelines:

1. If a plastic dowel is supposed to be installed in the hole, then the length of the channel should exceed the length of the dowel by 10-15 mm. The gap is used to collect concrete chips from the walls of the hole.
2. When starting drilling, it is necessary to set the minimum speed. The drill does not move along the surface, which allows you to drill holes in accordance with the markings. As the drill deepens, it is necessary to increase the speed and increase the load on the drill or hammer drill.
3. If the drill bit slips in the chuck (due to wear or damage to the jaws), the clamping fixture must be replaced. Operating a drill with a damaged chuck leads to misalignment of equipment parts and a decrease in the quality of the work performed.

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.

Using drills

If you have a hammer drill that you want to use together with a drill, then the diameter of the latter can vary from 4 to 80 millimeters. Quite often, novice craftsmen wonder how to choose the correct drill diameter.

It is recommended to purchase a set of metal drills along with the hammer drill. However, high-quality kits have a very high cost, so the diameter should be the same as that of the dowel that is supposed to be inserted into it. When purchasing such drills, it is recommended to find out which tail they have - SDS+ or SDS-max.

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.

Selection of nozzles

The correct choice of nozzles is extremely important. For work, special nozzles of increased strength are required.

The following types are used:

• Toothed bits for impact drilling.
• Diamond bits. Their edges have special cutouts and are coated with diamond chips or corundum. They are distinguished by increased strength (they even cut reinforcement) and accuracy: the surface of the hole is perfectly smooth. They work without shock.

Diamond-coated crown Source yunimag.ru

• KS-crowns. Their edges are coated with larger diamond particles.

When working with a drill, a punch may be required. This is a special durable pin that is used for crumbling concrete. Instead, you can use a pin, core, or even an old drill.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the design and reconstruction of houses of any complexity

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.

Recommendations

When making holes in concrete, remember some subtleties:

• Make sure that the template, structure and tool are tightly secured.
• Start at low speed and gradually increase speed.
• Do not press too hard on the instrument to avoid damaging it.
• When drilling concrete, give preference to a wet cut.

To make a smooth, neat hole, you need high-quality attachments. In the Strong Tools online store you can choose equipment to solve any construction problem. The online store offers a large selection of cutters of various diameters.

To order, call and fill out an application. Consultants will select a quality product for the client and discuss with him the method of payment and delivery.

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.

Drilling a foundation 400 mm thick

Very often diamond drilling of concrete is required in Moscow and the region. As a rule, holes are ordered in the foundation for vents to drain water from the building. For this purpose, special ring drills of various diameters 110-500 mm are used. For sewers and storm drains, 120-150 mm is sufficient, and when constructing ventilation, 400 mm crowns can be used.

Drilling is carried out in a shockless manner, which eliminates vibration and impact on a surface not in the work area. The crowns cut neatly into the foundation without forming cracks, chips, or nicks. The result is holes with smooth edges, which reduces processing costs. This technology is relevant in the presence of capital reinforcement.

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.

Ventilation holes

For installation of air ducts or hoods, diamond drilling of holes is required. The price of work performed using modern equipment is much less than the cost of eliminating the consequences of manual drilling.

Similar types of work are needed when installing air conditioners. To save wall space, holes can be made close to the ceiling; it is not necessary to deviate from it. In living rooms, slots with a diameter of 120-130 mm are usually sufficient, and for ventilation in industrial workshops, crowns of 160-250 mm are used.

Sometimes square or rectangular openings are required. They are performed by drilling small holes along a given perimeter, after which the remaining wall elements are removed manually. To do this, another tool is used.

Video - diamond drilling of holes with a diameter of 200 mm, making an opening in the wall