The silhouettes of two people pier drilling at a construction site in El Paso.

The Basics of Pier Drilling: A Comprehensive Guide

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.

A yellow hole drilling machine drilling into the soil of an El Paso construction site.

The Importance of Hole Drilling in the Construction Industry

If you have a construction project in the works, investing in hole drilling is essential. Hole drilling is when you use commercial drilling equipment to perform core, rock, pier, or exploratory drilling. It’s a vital part of the construction process because it will tell you more about the ground that you’re building on, how stable it is, and more. 

Hole drilling is also necessary for installing micropiles when you need a stronger and sturdier foundation than with a typical construction project. At El Paso Drilling, our hole drills can reach up to 200 feet deep into the soil and install micropiles that can support hundreds of tons. Whether you need micropiles or not, however, hole drilling is a crucial step involved with any El Paso construction project. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 to learn more.

Understand Your Soil

The main reason that hole drilling is an integral part of El Paso construction is because soil in the Southwest is unpredictable. There are tons of different types of rock and soil that you might be building on, and what’s below the surface could be different from what’s on top of it. 

The only way you’ll know for sure is if you perform hole drilling in El Paso to retrieve soil samples so that you can send them off to a lab for testing. The results will tell you if you’re building your foundation on reliable soil or if you need to come up with Plan B. 

Find Underground Utilities 

Another reason hole drilling is important is because it will help you spot underground utilities before you dig into them. Underground utilities, such as water lines, electrical wires, gas pipes, and communication wires, don’t always show up on blueprints and schematics, depending on how old they are and who installed them. Therefore, if you know that there are utilities close by and you need to know their exact location, hole drilling is the way to go. 

Personal Safety 

In addition to saving you tons of money on costly repairs, hole drilling will also keep you and your workers safe and healthy. Accidentally digging into an electrical wire or gas line, for example, can be hazardous to whoever is doing the digging. Therefore, by digging holes to locate these utilities, you might very well be saving the lives of your workers. 

Build a Firmer Foundation 

If you dig a few test holes to retrieve core samples and discover that the soil is bad for several layers, you will need to come up with Plan B. In most cases, this means drilling micropiles that go hundreds of feet into the soil to ensure a solid and firm foundation. Micropiles can only be installed with professional El Paso hole drilling services, so contact us if you find yourself in this type of situation. 

Contact El Paso Drilling For Hole Drilling Services in the Southwest 

If you need hole drilling services for your El Paso construction project, El Paso Drilling is ready to help. Whether you need utility locating, pier drilling, core drilling, or more, we’re the team to call. Call (915) 479-7060 today!

A silver drill performing geotechnical drilling at an El Paso construction site.

The Importance of Geotechnical Drilling in Construction Projects

Prior to breaking ground on a construction site, there are many things that need to happen. For instance, it’s important to understand the chemistry and characteristics of the ground on which you’re building. It’s also important to know how solid the ground is and if there’s anything of consequence lying beneath it. The only way to gather this information and have peace of mind going into your construction project is to perform geotechnical drilling. 

If you require geotechnical drilling on your El Paso construction site, El Paso Drilling can help. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 to learn more about our services.

What is Geotechnical Drilling? 

Geotechnical drilling is the act of drilling small holes, also known as boreholes, into the earth. Geotechnical drilling is a complex process that’s performed by a geotechnical engineer using large-scale drilling equipment known as drill rigs. While the engineer may not perform the actual drilling, they are responsible for overseeing the project and examining the results.  

How Does the Geotechnical Drilling Process Work? 

The geotechnical drilling process is quite interesting. Here’s a quick look at how it works for construction projects. 

  1. A residential or commercial contractor wants to break ground on a new building, parking lot, structure, or another type of project. 
  2. They contact a drilling company capable of performing geotechnical drilling in El Paso and explain their project. 
  3. The drilling company, led by experienced geotechnical drillers and engineers, brings their equipment to the site. 
  4. They then drill a series of boreholes into the ground throughout the construction site. 
  5. These samples of dirt and rock are then preserved and sent to a laboratory for testing. 
  6. The lab will perform an in-depth examination of the samples and report their findings to the drilling company. 

Contact us to learn more about our process! 

Why is Geotechnical Drilling Necessary Before a Construction Project? 

Geotechnical drilling should be standard procedure for any construction project. The purpose of this procedure is to determine the integrity and contents of the soil on which you plan to build. Proceeding with a construction project without understanding the ground on which you’re building is dangerous and irresponsible. 

Because of how important geotechnical drilling is, it’s often required by local building codes and standards. However, even when it isn’t required by code or law, every responsible contractor should invest in geotechnical drilling. Here are some of the things that it can detect. 

  • How loose or compact the soil is 
  • How high the water content of the soil is 
  • How permeable the soil is 
  • The grain size of the soil 
  • How rocky or stony the soil is and what kind of deposits there are 
  • Whether or not there are any potential contaminants in the soil 

How Can Geotechnical Drilling Help You?

Depending on the findings of geotechnical drilling, you may need to alter your construction plans. If the soil is too unstable or hazardous, you won’t be able to build on top of it, and you’ll need to delay or halt your project. 

Contact El Paso Drilling For Geotechnical Drilling in El Paso 

If you require geotechnical drilling services in El Paso, El Paso Drilling can help. In addition to pier, hole, concrete, and other drilling services, we also offer geotechnical drilling for construction projects. We can help you have peace of mind and know that you’re building your structure on safe, solid ground. Call (915) 479-7060 to learn more!

A yellow truck drilling into the dirt in El Paso.

Common Applications of Pier Drilling in Construction Projects

Pier drilling is a commonly used drilling method in the construction industry. Contrary to its name, pier drilling isn’t used exclusively near water or to build docks, although that is a common application. Instead, El Paso builders can implement pier drilling for a wide range of construction uses. 

If you are looking for pier drilling services for your El Paso construction site, El Paso Drilling can help. Contact us online or call (915) 479-7060 to learn more!

What is Pier Drilling, and How Does It Work? 

Pier drilling in El Paso is when a drilling company uses an auger to drill narrow holes deep into the earth. It’s a method that’s often used in areas with unstable or unsolid ground. The goal is to drill deep enough into the earth until you reach solid ground, usually in the form of bedrock. 

Once the hole is drilled, the drilling company will then insert piers or columns into the holes. Since the pillars are resting on solid ground, they will form a firm foundation for a home or building that gets placed on top of them. Here’s a look at the overall pier drilling process. 

  1. The auger drills as deep into the earth as necessary to reach solid ground. 
  2. The auger is then removed to make way for piers. 
  3. Before the pier is inserted, however, a support system in the form of a steel mesh cage gets inserted into the hole. 
  4. Concrete then gets poured into the hole, where it hardens around the mesh support system and fills the hole. 
  5. Once the concrete hardens, it forms a solid pier or column that can rise above the ground or be flush with the surface of the earth. 
  6. You now have a solid foundation that’s built into the earth rather than sitting on top of shaky ground. 

Contact us to learn more about our pier drilling process in El Paso or to receive a free quote! 

How Does Pier Drilling Get Used in El Paso Construction? 

Pier drilling is one of the best ways to ensure you have a solid foundation where it was previously thought impossible. As such, it’s used in a number of ways in the El Paso construction industry. 

Skyscrapers 

One of the most common uses for pier drilling is in the construction of skyscrapers. The reason for this is that piers and columns do a better job of equally spreading load distribution than other foundations. Because skyscrapers are some of the heaviest and tallest buildings on earth, they need a firm foundation with equal weight distribution. 

Piers and Docks 

One of the more obvious uses for pier drilling is in the construction of piers and docks. It’s also a good option for building bridges because you can drill deep into the water until you reach solid ground. 

Oil Platforms 

A vast majority of oil platforms are built on or near the water, which makes pier drilling an excellent option. 

Hospitals 

As with skyscrapers, hospitals are tall, heavy buildings that require a firm foundation and equal weight distribution. 

Lighthouses 

Lighthouses typically aren’t as big or heavy as hospitals or skyscrapers, but they require a firm foundation just the same. Additionally, lighthouses are located near the water, where the soil is unstable and soft. As such, they’re at risk of collapsing if they aren’t built on top of piers. 

Residential Properties 

Finally, pier drilling is a great option for houses, barns, and other residential buildings, depending on the construction site. Houses built near the water, on a steep slope, or near the mountains often require an alternative to traditional foundations, and pier drilling is a popular option. 

If you think that pier drilling is the right option for your El Paso construction project, contact us online or call (915) 479-7060. We offer the best drilling services in the Southwest and can handle jobs of any scope or size.

A close-up image of a drilling machine drilling a hole into the dirt in El Paso.

Applications of Hole Drilling

Whether you’re building a home, installing power poles, or doing other construction projects, there’s a good chance you’ll need to drill a hole or two into the ground. Hole drilling is a very common aspect of construction in El Paso, and it’s also one of the most difficult if you don’t have the right equipment. While there are some instances when hole drilling is an obvious need, there are others where it’s less obvious. We will explore some of the most common applications for hole drilling so that you can make arrangements should the need arise. 

If you require hole drilling services for your construction project, El Paso Drilling is here to help. Contact us online or call (915) 588-7321 to learn more about our services.

7 Common Applications for Hole Drilling 

Here are seven of the most common instances when hole drilling is necessary. 

Low-Clearance Hole Drilling 

Most hole drilling happens in wide open spaces where there’s plenty of room above and around the drilling site. However, although less common, there are plenty of instances when holes need to get drilled in low-clearance sites. This includes beneath bridges, overpasses, and in other tight spaces. Low-clearance drilling is more difficult than other forms of hole drilling and requires special equipment that not all excavation companies have. 

Concrete Hole Drilling 

Drilling holes into concrete isn’t just dirty and noisy, it’s also extremely difficult and requires special equipment. As such, concrete drilling is a task that should be left to experienced professionals with the right tools for the job. 

Pier Hole Drilling 

Anytime you’re constructing a house or building on an elevated foundation, pier drilling is a valuable commodity. Pier drilling is a precise science that takes years of training and experience to perfect. Contact us to learn more about our pier drilling services at El Paso Drilling

Rock Hole Drilling 

El Paso is home to some of the hardest and rockiest soil in the southwest. Sandstone, granite, bedrock, dry rock, and more are all found in our soil. Ordinary drills won’t be enough to penetrate these materials, and you’ll require special rock drills if you don’t want your construction project to suddenly stop. 

Cluster Hole Drilling 

Cluster hole drilling is another specialized form requiring specific tools and techniques. El Paso Drilling has cluster drills capable of drilling holes of all shapes, sizes, and depths to meet your needs. 

Micropile Hole Drilling 

Some El Paso construction projects require a deeper or stronger foundation than others. In these instances, you’ll likely need micropiles to hold your project together. However, micropiles require special drilling techniques and tools in order to be done properly and to reach the desired depths. We can dig our micropiles up to 200 feet beneath the earth’s surface and make them capable of supporting up to 200 tons. 

Utility Hole Drilling

Because of how cost-effective and safe it is to put utilities underground, it’s becoming a very common practice in El Paso and the surrounding area. Whether you’re digging utilities for phone, internet, or television lines, gas, water, or electrical lines, utility hole drilling will be necessary. Safe and quality utility hole drilling will protect your utilities from freezing temperatures, burrowing animals, and other potential hazards. 

Who to Contact for All Your El Paso Hole Drilling Needs

If you require any of the above forms of hole drilling in El Paso, look no further than El Paso Drilling. We’re an industry leader when it comes to hole drilling in El Paso and the surrounding area. No matter your needs, we always have the tools and experience to get the job done.  Contact us online or call (915) 588-7321 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our El Paso hole drilling services.