Blog

Concrete core drilling is common practice on building sites all over the world and it’s unparalleled for creating access and taking quality control samples. Core drilling helps keep our buildings standing and people safe, but it should only ever be performed by trained experts who are aware of the risks and can navigate them safely.

Improperly drilled core samples can not only lead to expensive mistakes, but it can also prove dangerous for the people operating the equipment and create substantial faults in the concrete.

In this article, we are going to explore some of the most common, expensive and potentially dangerous issues encountered when drilling concrete cores on construction sites.

Drilling Too Fast

The speed of drilling depends largely on the hardness of the concrete being sampled and the type of drill bit the operator is using. Not only does drilling too fast pose a risk to the operator, but it’s also likely to have the opposite effect on the job, causing it to take longer by wearing out drill bits prematurely. 

Remember, drilling even a small core has the possibility of introducing a fault into a piece of concrete, so taking the sample properly is important to maintaining structural integrity.

Since no two pieces of concrete are identical, the drill bits are chosen and the speed of drilling will need to be varied for each job. And, likely, the speed of drilling will need to be adjusted throughout the process. Unevenly cured concrete, the type of stone used or variations in the density of aggregate can all affect the ideal drilling speed, and it’s something an experienced operator will be able to adjust for.

Applying Too Much Pressure

Unlike using a driver to put a screw into a wall, using a drill to take a core sample of a hard material like concrete is a process of abrasion. That means the pressure needed is comparatively low, and applying an excessive amount will only reduce the effectiveness of the drill bit. 

Excess pressure will wear down the expensive drill bits faster, and the heat build-up can cause fractures and compromise the strength of the concrete. Drilling through concrete typically requires only moderate amounts of pressure, and the drill bit should be allowed to lead the way through the material.

Patience is the key to safe concrete core drilling, and a lack of it will lead to unnecessary mistakes and damage.

Cutting Important Pipes Or Cables

Many of a building’s services will be run through the walls and floors with the help of a conduit, and they pose a hidden threat when drilling cores.

While it should be standard practice to obtain copies of the electrical and plumbing layout before drilling, inexperienced or poorly trained operators may not take the precaution. In some cases, this can cause important pipes and cables to be damaged or cut during drilling. Not only are these mistakes expensive and time-consuming to rectify, cutting through live power cables always carries the risk of serious injury to workers on site.

Need Core Hole Drilling? Contact the Professionals at GPR Scanning & Coring Today?

Ensuring projects are delivered safely and on time are the top priorities on building sites across Australia. If you need core hole drilling performed, the expert team at GPR Concrete Scanning & Coring are trained to carry out any operations you need. Our team of professionals ensure all work is performed safely, avoiding expensive and dangerous mistakes to help deliver your projects on time and on budget. Get in touch with our team today at 0414 544 479 to ensure organise your professional core hole drilling.