Concrete is a widely used construction material, primarily for its incredible strength and durability. From floors to walkways and building foundations, concrete is a versatile product suitable for almost every construction project.
However, the only downside of concrete is that it is complicated to work with. For renovation and construction undertakings involving concrete, you need to use equally robust tools. Ideally, these tools are equipped with industrial-grade diamond, which is one of the very few stronger materials than concrete.
If you have home renovation plans or would like to build a patio with inbuilt wiring, you may have to rely on efficient concrete processes like diamond drilling and concrete cutting.
Diamond studded bits are your go-to tools when it comes to working with concrete and reinforced concrete.
Concrete cutting & drilling are the methods used prominently to create openings through concrete walls, floorings and slabs.
In the following article, we have pointed out the differences between these methods and their benefits. Read on to know which technique will be best suitable for your concrete project.
We hope that the information provided by highly experienced Diamond drilling London specialists will help you understand the unique properties of concrete cutting and diamond drilling.
How Does Concrete Cutting Work?
Concrete cutting is a controlled process performed to make clean and precise cuts through concrete walls, slabs and floors.
The process needs correct tools and highly skilled workers for yielding optimal results. Without proper knowledge and equipment, you can make mistakes that can prove costly and time-consuming.
Prominently, concrete is cut using two types of saws – cut off machines and diamond chain saws.
Cut off machines are easy to handle and lightweight. These are the perfect equipment for small scale jobs like cutting smaller pieces of concrete from paving stones.
However, these machines cannot be used for more significant projects and may produce some concrete dust.
Even though some cut-off machines have larger circular blades, they cannot make deeper cuts. The size of the cuts will be substantially less than the radius of your blade.
On the other hand, Diamond chain saws can cut significantly deeper and be used to cut flawless corners with no over-cut.
As a result, they are far more adaptable, making them an excellent choice for heavy-duty jobs and projects requiring extra precision.
It is crucial to select the correct tool that matches precisely with your concrete-cutting project’s unique requirements.
Applications of concrete cutting-
- Dicing concrete floors, pools, slabs and walkways for easy patching.
- For making channels through floors, slabs and walls.
- Cutting through heavily reinforced concrete in industrial tasks.
- Repairing damaged concrete sections.
Advantages of Concrete Cutting/Sawing –
- Minimal dust & noise production.
- It allows you to work efficiently with concrete, even in confined spaces.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Smooth and precise cuts.
How Does Concrete Diamond Drilling Work?
Concrete core drilling is an elaborate process of precisely measuring holes in concrete surfaces using rotary drill bits.
The drilling process is defined as ‘ diamond drilling’ when the concrete is pierced with drills studded with industrial-grade diamonds. It is one of the most prominent drilling techniques when it comes to concrete projects.
Like concrete cutting, drilling can also be done with different drill bits – impact and non-impact drills.
Diamond drill bits are impact drills. In such tools, additional percussive force is utilised to speed up the process by adding diamond tips.
If you select the incorrect drill bit, the drilling operation will take much longer, and you risk destroying the bit or, worse, the substance you are drilling.
Moreover, diamond drilling is a complex procedure; your drillers need to be highly trained professionals who are well-versed in operating the diamond drilling equipment, and they must follow all the necessary safety procedures.
Applications Of Diamond Drilling –
- Creating precise holes for installing pipes and wires.
- Building spaces in walls for windows and doors.
- Core extraction.
- Concrete bursting.
Advantages of Diamond Drilling –
- Precise drilling with minimal noise.
- Dust-free drilling.
- Versatile – Drilling bits are available in small and large sizes, making diamond drilling for both small and large scale projects.
- Minimum vibrations – perfect for drilling through heritage/ sensitive structures.
Ending Note
Though both the procedures are different, they need to be carried out with equal precision.
Whenever you appoint a company for your Diamond drilling London requirements, make sure that they excel in processes and have ample experience working with concrete saws and diamond drills.
Moreover, by hiring a professional drilling expert, you will ensure swift and effective removal of the wastage created on the site as they are aware of the best waste disposal practices in your area.
We recommend contacting your nearest diamond drilling company for detailed information about safety procedures or drilling/sawing prices.