Category Drilling

When it comes to construction in El Paso, there are many different forms of drilling. Depending on the work you’re doing and your goals, you may use one or more of these drilling techniques. For instance, if you need to drill neat, cylindrical holes into any type of surface, core drilling might be the right method. If you want to know more about core drilling and whether or not it’s right for you, you’ve come to the right place.  

If you need drilling services in El Paso, El Paso Drilling can help. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 to learn more.

What is Core Drilling? 

Core drilling is a particular form of drilling where you use a hollow, cylindrical drill bit and a powerful drilling tool. Core drilling aims to drill perfectly round holes where the core, or center, gets removed by the bit. Here’s how it works. 

1. Core drilling requires a round bit with a hollow center where the outer edges of the bit are covered with sharp teeth. 
2. In most cases, these teeth are either diamond or carbide coated depending on the type of surface you’re drilling into. 
3. Because the center of the bit is hollow, it will spin up to the full depth of the bit. 
4. When you stop drilling and remove the bit, it will remove the core or center. 
5. Core drilling bits come in many different sizes so that you can drill holes of any size. 

Contact us for a hands-on demonstration and to learn more about the effectiveness of core drilling. 

When is Core Drilling Used in El Paso? 

Because of how precise core drilling is, it’s a great option for many different industries, including the following:

• HVAC technicians and plumbers use core drilling to make holes for pipes and vents. 
• Phone and internet lines 
• Holes for sprinkler systems and utility pipes 
• Gas and oil pipelines 
• Underground utilities 
• Tunnels and manholes 
• Parking garages and utility holes 

Core drilling is primarily used in the construction and science industries. Scientists and researchers will use core drilling to remove samples inside of surfaces if they want to leave the sample undamaged. Core drilling is a valuable tool whether you’re an HVAC technician, plumber, or manual laborer. 

Core drilling is especially handy on larger projects, including underground infrastructure and utilities. The drill bits used on commercial core drills are large enough for pier drilling, tunnels, pipelines, micro piles, and many other practices. Core drilling bits are also powerful enough to drill through concrete, rock, or anything else that stands in your way. 

Different Types of Core Drilling 

In general, there are two different types of core drilling that you might use depending on your needs. 

• Wet Drilling 

Wet core drilling is where water or another lubricant is added to the tip of the core drill to make for faster and more powerful drilling. It’s great for going through harder surfaces such as rock, concrete, and brick. 

• Dry Drilling

Dry core drilling works the same way and uses the same tools as wet drills but without water or lubricant. Dry core drilling is ideal for softer surfaces such as dirt, wood, drywall, and other non-rocky surfaces. 

Advantages of Core Drilling Versus Other Forms of Drilling

• Less mess and noise. 
• Wet drilling allows for less dust, smoke, and debris. 
• The best way to preserve the core of whatever you’re drilling into. 
• Perfect for taking samples. 
• Very safe and affordable 

Who to Contact for All Your El Paso Core Drilling Needs

Whether you need core drilling on a large or small scale, you might be better off contacting us at El Paso Drilling than doing the work yourself. Core drilling is a meticulous process, and it’s best left to professionals who do it for a living. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 for a complete list of our core drilling services and to schedule a consultation! 

Micropiling is one of the latest and greatest innovations in the El Paso drilling industry. It serves many purposes and can be used as a standalone method or in conjunction with other tools. Below we will explain the process and go over the many benefits of micropiling.

 Contact El Paso Drilling online or call (915) 479-7060 to learn more and find out if micropiles are right for you. 

What is Micropiling?

In case you aren’t familiar with the process, micropiling is a process where holes are drilled into the ground and steel rods of various diameters are installed, providing support to foundations, retaining walls, and other barriers. 

Benefits of Micropiles Versus Other Support Methods

You Can Micropile Through Any Obstruction 

Using micropiles, you can quickly drill through any obstruction, no matter how tough it is. The drills that install micropiles are extremely powerful, and nothing can stand in their way. 

Because it can go through anything, it’s important to hire a hole drilling team in El Paso that knows what they’re doing. The last thing you want to do is drill a micropile through a plumbing or utility pipe and get saddled with costly repairs. 

Limited Vibration 

Despite how powerful micropile drills are, they cause minimal vibration to the surrounding area. Minimizing vibration is essential if you are working around an existing foundation and don’t want to cause further damage. It’s also important if you live in a populated area and don’t want to be a nuisance or cause damage to your nearby properties. 

Great for Areas with Limited Space 

If you’re drilling in a low-access or clearance area, micro piling is an excellent option. The machinery that gets used is sizable but compact, which makes it great for reinforcing foundations in old basements. 

Reduces the Need for Deep Foundations 

Because of how micro piling uses the earth around your foundation for extra support, you don’t need as deep of a foundation. Through a process known as skin friction, micropiles will transfer most of the weight of your home or business to the soil around the foundation. It does this using the steel rod of the micropile as well as the cement grout that gets poured in around it. 

Although micropiling is sometimes expensive, you end up saving money on excavation and concrete costs that would have been needed for a deeper foundation. 

Serves Multiple Purposes

One of the best things about micropiling is that it isn’t a one-trick pony. You can use it to support foundations on new El Paso homes and businesses, but you can also use it to support foundations on existing homes. While the drilling method utilized for existing foundations is slightly different and more time-consuming, it’s much better than starting over from scratch. 

You can also use micropiles to support excavation walls and retaining walls. 

They Can Handle Massive Load Capacities 

Micropiles are sort of like the ants of the drilling industry. While they look small on the outside and not capable of performing as advertised, they’re just the opposite. When done correctly, micropiles can support compressive capacity loads of well over 200 tons and sometimes more than 500 tons. 

The reason for its versatility is that you can use rods and holes of different sizes to accommodate loads of all weight classes. 

Who to Call for Micropiles in El Paso

Whether you think micropiles are suitable for your construction project or need more information about the micropiling, look no further than El Paso Drilling. We’re an industry leader in micropiles and are proud to be known as the best commercial drilling team in El Paso. In addition to micropiles, we also specialize in pier, rock, concrete, low-clearance, and hole drilling. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 to schedule an appointment today!

Sometimes construction projects require drilling in hard-to-reach and narrow spaces. Drilling companies use different machinery and drilling methods depending on the job site and the scope of the job. When challenging terrain or limited space is part of the equation, low clearance is the solution. 

So what can you expect from low-clearance drilling? We provide a brief overview of this technique, the equipment used, and what to look out for. 

If you need drilling in a difficult-to-reach place, remember that El Paso Drilling specializes in excavation. Not only have the crew but also the equipment to get the job done right. Connect with us to learn more. 

What is Low-Clearance Drilling? 

As mentioned above, low-clearance drilling involves excavation in hard-to-reach places, where the target area is narrow, surrounded by other structures, in difficult terrain, etc. This is often necessary when contractors need to drill under power lines or bridges. 

Large-scale drilling usually requires large equipment or vacuum trucks. This may not always be appropriate for all settings or work sites. It’s not always an option to park a large vehicle on the worksite—especially if it’s inside a building or in a narrow space with other structures or with restricted overhead work. When there is less overhead space, the crew needs a drill that has a shorter tower but the same amount of power. 

Where is low-clearance drilling used? 

Low-clearance drilling is categorized as restricted access drilling.  These job sites require the use of specialty drills and varying processes to ensure that property is not destroyed and the drill is completely effective. This might include: 

• Certain geographic locations: If digging is needed in the middle of a crowded area where people walk through or congregate, this would be considered restricted access. Especially rigs are used to ensure a less destructive process and one that occupies less space. 
• Low clearance: This category refers to job sites that have reduced overhead space, are under another structure or are otherwise restricted in space. 
• Reduced ventilation: When drilling operations move indoors, ventilation and air quality become a major consideration of the job. The necessary exhaust ventilation or propane equipment is needed to ensure the crew and the surrounding bystanders are not affected by toxic fumes. The process is completed with special drills and careful measures to ensure safety. 
• Uneven or unconventional surfaces. Drilling sometimes happens in marine settings, over water, or on other uneven surfaces. Projects may require drilling in rocky cliffs, wetlands, building basements, etc. These surface restraints can require specialized drilling equipment as well. 

Why Choose a Specialist with Experience in Low Clearance Drilling

As anyone in the industry will tell you, every drilling job requires special considerations. No job is the same. This is because every job differs in scope, size, timeline, material, and more. 

When it comes to jobs that are less defined or deal with hard-to-access areas or dangerous conditions, you want a contractor that understands the nuances of drilling in such a setting to maintain the safety protocols and remain efficient. At the same time, you want someone with the appropriate equipment to accommodate the restricting conditions. 

In a nutshell, you want the right machinery and the right operators to handle this complicated work. At El Paso Drilling, for example, we have specialized equipment that gets the job done in difficult areas. Our small and compact drills can assist projects that require reduced overhead space, such as indoor digs, under freeways, or bridges. 

Check out some of the specs of the two specialized drills: 

MAIT Baby Drill 

• Max diameter: 15-24 in
• Goes to depths of 39-49-60 ft
• Has power of 47 HP @ 3,000 RPM 
• Max torque: 12,999 lb-ft

Ecoline 35 Drilling Rig 

• Max diameter of 36 inches
• Goes to depths of 52.5 ft
• Has power of 61 HP @ 2,300 RPM
• Max torque of 22,1110 lbs-ft

These two drills allow for low overhead clearance with the needed accuracy and power of any other digging job. When operated correctly, the drills allow for utmost precision and efficient drilling. 

Need Low-Clearance Drilling? You Need the Right Crew and the Right Equipment

Since 1979, El Paso Drilling has provided Southwest Texas with top-notch professional drilling and excavation services. Whether it is for large or small construction projects, utility installations, or other needs, a precise and trusted drilling company keeps your project on time. 

Low-clearance drilling is a specialized drilling method needed for high-risk settings and work sites with low clearance space. 

Want to learn more about what we do here at El Paso Drilling? Call us today and learn more. 

Dirt is complicated. It may not seem like it at first glance, but there is a lot going on in the soil. As drilling experts, we have to be aware of where we’re digging and what we’re digging for safety and environmental reasons. It’s not always clear-cut. There are plenty of safety issues and questions to consider regarding the soil before determining what drilling technique to use, what approach, and how to make it more efficient. 

Here are the basics. 

The pH Level of Soil and Why It Matters

If you ask experienced gardeners or farmers, they will tell you a little bit about how the pH of the soil affects what they do. In short, pH levels help when determining what to plant and not to plant in a particular patch of soil or to figure out what type of soil should be used to improve certain crops or plants. In commercial drilling, the nature of the soil matters too.

The pH level is the gauge of the hydrogen-ion concentration or the potential hydrogen in a particular substance. So the pH level measures the acidity or alkalinity of soil and can heavily impact the growth of plants or crops. This number affects the solubility of minerals and nutrients in the soil. About 14-17 essential plant nutrients are obtained from the soil. So, for the gardener, pH is a key factor in understanding how they will plant. 

The pH level of soil provides a lot of information about the properties of that soil. The pH can be determined by using a special pH meter.

How Does Soil pH Change?

Changes in the pH level happen naturally or artificially if substances get spread throughout the soil. Soil can become acidic, for example, through rainwater, carbon dioxide caused by decomposing matter, and the formation of strong organic or inorganic acids.

How Does the Soil Affect Excavation Methods? 

When it comes to drilling and excavation work, knowing the type of soil in question is an important part of our job. It not only improves safety but also affects the efficiency of the job. 

A Closer Look at the Drilling Process

When the equipment digs into the soil, it produces what are called drill cuttings. This refers to the broken bits of material that are produced and then removed from a borehole. This material is brought back to the surface with what is called the drilling mud. The mud is also called drilling fluid and it comes back up as part of the drilling process and is often examined to understand the nature of the soil at various depths. 

This process applies to commercial digging, as well as deep excavation for oil wells and other industrial purposes. 

Drilling fluid is an important and crucial ingredient to maximize the efficiency of a drilling crew. When it comes to certain types of commercial drilling, the nature of the soil will play a role in maintaining the integrity of the bore path. The drilling fluid provides lubrication and cools down the tools used in the dig. In many instances, the use of the drilling mud or drilling fluid helps to flush out the drill cuttings. 

The pH of soil comes into play from the effects of drill cuttings, as they can not only affect the digging process, but they can also change the acidity of the soil. The excavator is also tasked with the proper disposal of these drill cuttings to ensure environmental protection and integrity. 

Different Types of Soil When Digging 

The kind of soil in question during a dig can vary based on pH and other factors. After all, soil is a mixture of sand, silts, clay, air, gravel, and water. Soil in any given place will vary in its cohesiveness based on the amounts of these ingredients that apply. 

For example, sand and gravel are coarse-grained soils and are considered more granular. A highly cohesive soil will not crumble. The amount of clay in the soil will highly affect the digging process and how well trenches will hold up. 

OSHA classifies soils into four main categories including Solid Rock, Type B, Type A, and Type C. The classification of the soil becomes important when considering what technique and approach for drilling. 

Other Safety Considerations for Excavation Crews 

Drilling is a complex process that involves heavy machinery and a large crew. In addition to understanding the technical aspects of the machinery and how it interacts with the soil, the kind of soil that is being drilled into, there are safety considerations that every crew must consider. 

OSHA has stringent safety measures that must be taken when it comes to drilling and trenching, so understanding the types of soil plays a role in the types of safety measures and protocols an excavation crew will take. 

Choose the Pros for Commercial Cluster Drilling!

At El Paso Drilling, we specialize in commercial digging and cluster drilling. Our team is highly specialized in dealing with different types of soil classifications and ensuring compliance with environmental safety and worker safety.

Want to learn more? Call us today!