Core Drilling & Penetrations in Salt Lake City, UT

Wet core drilling for MEP sleeves, anchors, sampling and deep penetrations through slabs and walls.

Core Drilling & Penetrations for Salt Lake City Projects

Core drilling uses a diamond bit and a rig anchored to the slab or wall to cut round holes from small diameters up to large penetrations. In Salt Lake City, cores are used for plumbing and electrical sleeves, HVAC and lab piping, anchor and dowel holes for seismic retrofit, and samples for strength testing or investigation. Core sizes are matched to the sleeve, pipe, duct or anchor being installed so the annular gap is minimal.

Coring is clean, accurate and quiet compared with hammer drilling, and it lets MEP trades place penetrations exactly. Cores through fire-rated assemblies must be sealed with approved firestop systems, and sleeves or grouting may be required through floors where water or fire resistance matters.

Depth and location are the main risks. A bit that hits a post-tension tendon or an electrical duct can cause serious harm and damage. We scan with GPR before every core, mark what we find and move the hole when needed. For deep or large-diameter holes, rig stability and slurry capture matter as much as the bit. Cores taken for testing are logged and labeled, and the resulting holes are patched according to the engineer's direction.

Salt Lake City-Specific Considerations

Seismic retrofit in the Salt Lake Valley creates demand for anchor and dowel coring in existing concrete, where hole size, depth and spacing come from the engineer and may need special inspection. Below-grade coring in areas with shallow groundwater can leak, so plan for sealing. Lab and healthcare buildings may require dust and vibration control. Silica rules apply, and slurry should be vacuumed rather than flushed to drains.

Our Core Drilling & Penetrations Process

1. Scan and mark
Scan with GPR, mark the hole center and confirm clearance from rebar and utilities.
2. Anchor the rig
Secure the rig with an anchor or vacuum base and set the bit size and depth.
3. Drill with water capture
Core with a wet diamond bit, using a slurry ring and vacuum to control water.
4. Remove core and clean
Extract the core, clean the hole and check the diameter and depth.
5. Sleeve, seal or sample
Install sleeves or firestopping as specified, or log and label cores for testing.

Reference Specifications

Typical equipment: Hydraulic wall saws, track-mounted flat saws, wet core rigs and wire saws sized to the member being cut
Cut accuracy: Dead-straight overcut-free openings and cores sized to the sleeve, duct or door frame being installed
Pre-cut scanning: GPR and rebar scanning before every wall, slab or core penetration; results marked on the slab

Industrial Corridors We Serve

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Core Drilling & Penetrations FAQ — Salt Lake City

What size cores can you drill?

Core bits range from small diameters for conduit up to very large holes for ducts and shafts, and the largest sizes use heavier rigs. The upper limit depends on equipment, the member thickness and the access available. Tell us hole size and depth for a plan. Access, water supply and the thickness of the member also shape the setup.

Can cores be drilled for seismic retrofit anchors?

Yes. Retrofit designs commonly call for drilled holes for dowels and anchors, and the engineer specifies size, depth and spacing. Special inspection may be required for post-installed anchors, so confirm requirements with the engineer of record. Hole cleaning and adhesive installation are usually part of the specified procedure.

What about fire-rated floors?

Penetrations through fire-rated floors and walls must be firestopped with approved systems, and sleeves may be required to hold the rating. Confirm the assembly rating with the architect and the inspector before coring, and keep the product data for closeout. Wet coring itself does not damage firestopping if the sleeve is properly sealed afterward.