Just one of the huge difficulties with an installation is having a project that deals with concrete, especially DIY Concrete jobs. Setting up onto concrete will involve core-drilling the holes into your concrete base and setting the posts with a quick set grout. Given that this involves drilling into concrete, it can be even more unsafe than simply fixing to a timber deck. A choice here is to have your fence line marked , the position of where every single post or spigot (mini-post) also marked plainly and then to hire the professional services of a concrete cutter. This would remove the need to hire or purchase an expensive concrete core-drill and most concrete cutting/drilling companies will ordinarily give you a fee per hole that you would like cut.
DIY Concrete Core-drilling Tips
Safety is always crucial! So if you do choose to drill the holes on your own please keep the following tips in mind:
- Always ensure your core-drill is safe to use mechanically and has no tears or splits in the electrical cord.
- If using the hand-held variety ensure that the cable will not be twisted around any piece of your body or nearby buildings.
- If using the portable machine version with a pedestal, ensure that the area around the drill body is clear of any clutter and or other building products.
- * Important * Always guarantee that the core drill bit is vertical and that it could run down the full depth of the hole without going to one edge. This is crucial because if the drill piece does go slightly off the vertical axis it will catch on the edge of the hole and pitch the drill. This can cause significant injuries to the operator.
- Well before drilling ensure there is adequate water supply to the drill and the water is activated, not only at the tap but on the core drill tool too.
- When drilling, keep the downward resistance up to the drill. If there is inadequate pressure applied, the drill bit will not cut downward, if there is excessive force applied then the core-drill bit may cut a little quicker but the bit will lose its edge swiftly and not endure.
- After the core has been drilled and you have a round section into the concrete, the core can be removed sometimes with a mild tap with a metal hammer on a slight angle. If it does not come loose through this then try to edge a small cold chisel into the gap and carefully tap it so to not damage the concrete or tiles, or whatever your surface is.
- Some concrete will have steel reinforcement embeded in the concrete and this may be catching as you try to remove the core. It is best to gradually increase the force of your tapping with the cold chisel until it comes loose. This will ensure there is no collateral damage to the surrounding floor.
- As soon as the core has come loose from the bottom then you can just lift it out. If you can’t get an adequate grip then would advise using a pair of metal kitchen tongs to grab the sides of the core. If it still doesn’t want to come out then it is more than likely that it is still attached by some reinforcing steel. Complete the drilling procedure in the same hole.
If you wish to learn more about DIY Concrete installations, or get some recommendations about other types of pool fencing, call us on 1300 937 902 and take a look at a few of our success stories at our pool fencing website