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Drilling for wells, water lines, utilities, and oil is hard enough in El Paso, even when conditions are ideal. However, when you throw low clearance and limited access into the mix, drilling is so much harder. Therefore, in addition to all the normal safety measures involved with drilling in El Paso, there are extra safety issues to consider with low-clearance drilling. 

Luckily, El Paso Drilling offers quality, low-clearance drilling services. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 to learn more.

What is Considered Low-Clearance Drilling?

As the name implies, low-clearance drilling in El Paso is industrial drilling with low overhead space. Low-clearance drilling is typically when your drilling is impeded by a ceiling or low overhang, such as a cliff or rock face. 

Low-clearance drilling can take place inside structures or in the great outdoors. It can be hazardous because industrial drilling equipment is often 20+ feet tall, but low-clearance drilling allows for access of 25 feet or less. In some instances, you may only have 10 to 15 feet of clearance to work with. This severely complicates matters because you need special drilling equipment to make drilling a possibility.

Safety Considerations For Low-Clearance Drilling

Now that you have a better idea of what low-clearance drilling is let’s look at why it can be hazardous. 

Ventilation Concerns

One of the first things to worry about with low-clearance drilling is whether or not there’s adequate ventilation. If you’re drilling outdoors and have low clearance due to a bridge, cliff, or another type of overhang, ventilation isn’t an issue as long as there’s airflow from the sides. However, ventilation is a huge concern for low-clearance indoor drilling. It’s essential to have fans or a ventilation system in place to protect the lungs of your workers. 

Limited Manpower

Limited space and clearance often means smaller drilling equipment, which translates to less manpower. As a result, you may have two or three people doing a job that would normally require four or five people. It’s important to adjust accordingly and change your approach when you have limited manpower due to limited clearance. 

Limited Maneuverability

In addition to not being able to fit as many people into a low-clearance area, you will also have less room to maneuver your equipment. Therefore, it’s essential to take things slow and not rush, as this can lead to jam-ups and accidents. 

Overheating

Another aspect of not having as much airflow in low-clearance spaces is that heat is more likely to build up. In addition to potentially damaging your equipment, intense heat can also be dangerous to your workers. It may be necessary to have a cooling system in place before you start drilling. 

Exposure to Dust 

If you have less ventilation, you’re more at risk for dust inhalation. It’s essential to wear ventilators or breathing equipment to compensate. 

Noise Protection

Finally, low clearance usually means a louder drilling experience, so ear protection is another essential. 

Safe and Professional Low-Clearance Drilling in El Paso

If you want a team that can overcome the obstacles of low-clearance drilling in El Paso, El Paso Drilling is here to help. No matter how tight your space is, we have the equipment and experience to get the job done. Call (915) 479-7060 today to get started.

Pier drilling in El Paso is an important aspect of residential and commercial construction. In many instances, it’s the only way to build a foundation suitable enough to handle homes, businesses, and other structures. 

If you require pier drilling services for your residential or commercial construction site, El Paso Drilling is here to help. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 to learn more.

What is Pier Drilling? 

As the name implies, pier drilling is the act of drilling holes and filling them with concrete piers. Pier drilling in El Paso is used to build foundational supports or pillars for homes, businesses, and other structures. Drilled piers go by several other names, including caissons, and are one of the most tried and true ways to build a foundation. 

How Does Pier Drilling Work? 

El Paso pier drilling is performed by large-scale drilling companies. To get the job done, these companies use massive drills and augers to drill holes into the earth and then fill the holes with poured concrete. To give you a better idea of pier drilling, here’s how the process works. 

1. Your pier drilling professional will come to your construction site to determine how deep and wide the piers need to be, as well as how many you’ll need. 
2. They will then use an auger attached to an industrial drill and drill holes into the earth for the piers. 
3. The soil is removed, and, if necessary, the hole is drilled in a bell shape so it’s wider at the bottom, providing more base support. 
4. Once the hole is ready, a steel casing gets installed. 
5. Concrete is poured into the hole within the steel casing. 
6. It will take roughly one month for the concrete to harden enough for construction to continue. 

The holes for concrete piers can be anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of feet deep. They can also range from several inches to several feet in diameter, depending on your needs. 

When is Pier Drilling Necessary? 

Pier drilling, while becoming more and more common, is not always necessary. In most cases, pier drilling is used when the ground’s surface is too soft to support the foundation for a house or business. This could be because the ground is too loose or soggy or has too many inconsistencies to be reliable. 

In these instances, excavators will need to dig deep enough to find solid ground to support a foundation. However, digging the entire foundation that deep would be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, rather than dig deep for the entire foundation, pier drilling companies will drill strategic holes and fill them with concrete piers or pillars. Concrete piers are useful in the following instances: 

• Near water 
• For large buildings 
• On uneven surfaces 
• Areas with unstable earth 

Pier Drilling Services in El Paso

If pier drilling is the answer to your foundation problems, El Paso Drilling is ready to get started on your project. From new constructions for homes and businesses to foundation repairs, we can do it all! Call (915) 479-7060 today.