How Do You Safely Drill Into Concrete?

Drilling into concrete can be a
messy business. If you’re not careful, it can also be one
that’s hazardous to your health and safety. Here’s how we
safely make holes in concrete projects!

What Safety Equipment Do You Need To Drill Into Concrete?

Like all other forms of
concrete work, drilling requires the right safety equipment
before you start. Make sure to set yourself up properly before
drilling because it can be a loud, dusty, exhausting process! It
also can expose you to silica dust from the rock and sand used to
mix concrete; this is very harmful to the lungs.

Make sure to have the following equipment on-hand:

1. Masonry drill bits in various sizes
2. Water to apply to the bit if it overheats
3. Shop vacuum with a bag and HEPA filter for
   cleaning the surface
4. Eye protection
5. Dust mask (luckily, you probably have a few
   floating around these days!)
6. Work gloves

Safely drilling into solid
concrete means you will need a drill bit that’s wider and more
heavy-duty than the regular versions. The extra width of a masonry
bit can create an opening wide enough for a proper hole in the
concrete. Once the tip drills your opening, the rest of the shaft
of the drill bit can slide in with no problems.

The kind of drill you use can impact the work – a

hammer drill is very effective – but you can drill into
concrete with a standard, run-of-the-mill drill. As the name
suggests, a hammer drill hammers as it spins into the
concrete, whereas a regular model only spins the bit into the
material. Don’t worry about making a costly upgrade if you only
have one project – if you start your tool at its lowest speed,
you will have better control. 

How Do We Safely Drill Into Concrete?

Once you have the proper equipment, drilling into concrete can
be a very safe job. If you’re doing it at home, follow these
steps to make sure the entire task is free of hazards:

1. Mark the spot on the wall
   or another surface where you’d like to place the hole.
2. Start by making a guide hole. Drill forward,
   using a light, steady pressure. Do not force the bit into the
   concrete, and if the drill resists, ease up and stop drilling.
   Never rush the process!
3. Drill a guide hole about ⅛- to ¼-inch
   deep.
4. If the bit overheats, apply water (especially if
   you don’t have a masonry bit).
5. If there are blockages, either break it up with
   a hammer and nail or choose a new spot. 
6. Stop the drill and sweep or blow away the
   concrete dust that has accumulated around the bit. Keeping the area
   clean makes it much safer.
7. Pull out the drill. If you’re as deep as you
   need, change to a slightly larger drill bit by 1/8 of an inch at a
   time. 
8. Drill the hole again until you’ve reached the
   right width and depth for your project.

While a hammer drill is a superior option, it’s not a tool in
everyone’s workshop. A regular drill can take its place, and
while it can be harder to use, taking it slow, having a variety of
masonry drill bit sizes on hand, and paying attention to the heat
of the drill can make for a
successful project!

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How Do You Safely Drill Into Concrete? appeared first on
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