Diamond drilling and concrete cutting by experienced specialists

What is diamond drilling?

Diamond drilling – also known as core drilling – is used to make precise, round holes in concrete, lightweight concrete, brick and natural stone. A water-cooled bit with diamond segments cuts a cylinder out of the material, leaving a clean hole with neat edges. It is done without the impact and vibration of a chisel or hammer drill, which is why the technique is used both in new builds and when renovating buildings that remain in use.

Typical tasks

• Penetrations for pipes, drains, electrics and ventilation in walls, slabs and foundations
• Holes for anchors, railings and posts
• Extracting concrete cores to investigate a structure
• Concrete cutting of openings for doors, windows and stairs with a wall saw or wire saw
• Floor sawing of joints and channels for services

Before drilling starts

Good drilling begins before the machine is set up. If there is reinforcement, pipes or cables in the structure, this must be established first – for example by scanning the concrete or going through the drawings. If openings are to be made in load-bearing structures, a structural engineer should typically assess the job before any cutting.

Also think about water and slurry from the water-cooled drilling, protecting floors and adjacent surfaces, and access to power and water on site.

Dust, noise and safety

Drilling and cutting concrete can produce quartz dust, which is harmful to inhale. That is why the work is done with water cooling or extraction and the right protective equipment. The work is also noisy, so in occupied buildings and offices in use, it pays to schedule the noisiest tasks for specific times.

Workers or subcontracting?

Diamond drilling requires specialist equipment: a drill rig, bits in various diameters, a water supply and often a wall saw or wire saw for larger openings. The job can therefore be handled in two ways:

• Hire a diamond driller for your own crew, if you already have or hire the equipment yourself.
• Subcontracting, where a team with its own equipment handles a defined job from start to finish. Read more about subcontracting.

What we need to know

• Material and thickness, e.g. reinforced concrete, lightweight concrete or brick
• Number of holes, diameters and approximate locations
• Whether drilling is horizontal, vertical or overhead
• Access, floor level and whether power and water are available
• Preferred timing and any requirements regarding noise and working hours

How it works with Bemandix

We find people among our own workers or at approved partners with experience in diamond drilling and concrete cutting. You have one contact person with us, and you receive a specific proposal to consider before anything is agreed. See also the whole construction and civil engineering sector.

Need drilling or cutting done? Book diamond drilling and tell us about the job.