Concrete core drilling for service openings
Need a clean opening through a slab, wall or beam for a pipe, duct or cable? We drill round openings of Ø52–250 mm with water-cooled diamond core rigs, with low vibration and no hammering.
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We drill clean, round openings through concrete slabs, walls, beams and foundations for pipes, ducts, cables, ventilation, drainage and sewer connections, for MEP contractors, plumbers, HVAC firms, builders and building owners. With our Hilti DD 200 and Hilti DD 160 diamond core rigs we drill horizontally and vertically in the Ø52–250 mm diameter range, water-cooled, with low vibration and no hammering. Before drilling we scan the element for reinforcement to avoid cutting bars where possible. Openings in beams, columns, post-tensioned slabs or other structural elements need the approval of the project's structural engineer; we drill at the positions you or your engineer mark.
What we test
| Application | Element / size | Where | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing and water supply pipes | Slabs, walls | Field | Clean, round openings at the marked positions |
| Drainage and sewer connections | Slabs, walls, foundations | Field | Openings for drain and sewer pipes |
| Ventilation and air-conditioning ducts | Walls, slabs | Field | Openings for ducts and ventilation lines |
| Electrical cables and conduits | Walls, slabs | Field | Openings for cable and conduit routes |
| Openings in beams and foundations | Beams, foundations | Field | Openings at positions approved by the structural engineer |
| Reinforcement pre-scan | — | Field | Rebar located before drilling |
Why it matters
Breaking an opening with a hammer or breaker leaves a rough, oversized hole, sends impact and vibration through the element and can crack or spall the surrounding concrete. Diamond core drilling cuts the opening instead of breaking it: the hole is round, the edge is clean and there is no hammering to crack the concrete around it. Water cooling keeps the dust down, and the work is quieter and far less disruptive than breaking, which matters in occupied buildings. Because the core bit is guided on a rig at the marked position, the opening is drilled exactly where it is needed, horizontally or vertically, and pipes and ducts can be fitted and sealed neatly.
What you receive
- Clean, round openings of the required diameter in the Ø52–250 mm range, drilled at the positions marked by you or your engineer
- Horizontal and vertical drilling through slabs, walls, beams and foundations
- A reinforcement pre-scan before drilling, to avoid cutting bars where possible
- Water-cooled diamond drilling with our Hilti DD 200 and Hilti DD 160 rigs: low vibration, no hammering
- Site work by appointment, within our field hours of 08:00–18:00
What we need from you
- The diameter of each opening and what it is for (pipe, duct, cable, drain or sewer connection)
- The number of openings and their positions, marked on site or on drawings
- The element type (slab, wall, beam or foundation) and its thickness
- Safe access to each position, and whether water and power are available on site
- Drawings, and the structural engineer's approval for openings in beams, columns, post-tensioned slabs or other structural elements
Frequently asked questions
Do we need approval before drilling through a beam or column?
Yes. Openings in beams, columns, post-tensioned slabs or other structural elements need the approval of the project's structural engineer. We drill at the positions that you or your engineer mark.
What diameters can you drill?
With our Hilti DD 200 and Hilti DD 160 diamond core rigs we drill round openings of Ø52–250 mm, horizontally and vertically, through slabs, walls, beams and foundations.
Will drilling cut the reinforcement?
Before drilling we scan the element to locate the reinforcement, so that bars can be avoided where possible. If a bar lies at a marked position, we tell you before drilling, so that you or your engineer can decide whether to shift the opening.
How do we book the work?
Core drilling is carried out by appointment. Send us the diameters, number and positions of the openings and the element type and thickness, and we agree a date with you; our field hours are 08:00–18:00.
Guides for this service
Ask us for a quote for core drilling of service openings; send us the diameters, number and positions of the openings, and we schedule the work by appointment to suit your programme.