What Is Concrete Coring?

Diamond-tipped drill bits for precise circular holes in any concrete surface

Perfect Holes. Any Size. Any Angle.

Concrete coring — also called core drilling — is the process of drilling precise circular holes through concrete using a hollow, diamond-tipped drill bit called a core barrel. As the bit rotates, it cuts a clean cylindrical hole and removes a solid concrete core from the center. The result is a perfectly round, smooth-walled hole with no cracking or damage to the surrounding concrete. When a straight line cut is needed through a floor or slab rather than a round hole, flat concrete sawing is the right service.

Core drilling is used wherever a round hole is needed in concrete — for plumbing pipes, electrical conduit, HVAC ducts, gas lines, drainage systems, anchor bolts, communication conduit and structural test samples. Hole diameters range from 1 inch up to 60 inches, and our equipment can drill at any angle — straight down, horizontal through a wall, or at any angle in between. For rectangular openings through a concrete wall, see our wall sawing service.

Unlike hammer drilling or jackhammering, diamond core drilling is virtually vibration-free. It does not crack the surrounding concrete, damage adjacent structures or disturb finished surfaces nearby. For this reason it is the preferred method on occupied buildings, hospitals, schools and any project where precision and minimal disruption are required. If the surface needs preparation or leveling after work is complete, our concrete grinding service handles that.

HOW IT WORKS

Location & Layout

The hole center is marked precisely. We locate any rebar, post-tension cables or embedded conduit before drilling begins — avoiding costly surprises mid-drill.

Rig Setup & Anchoring

The core drilling rig is anchored to the concrete surface for stability. A vacuum base system or anchor bolt holds the rig perfectly perpendicular — or at the required angle — throughout the drill.

Diamond Core Drilling

The diamond-tipped core barrel rotates at high speed with water flowing through to cool the bit and flush concrete slurry out of the hole. The drill advances steadily through the slab.

Core Removal & Cleanup

The solid concrete core is extracted from the barrel. The hole is clean, round and ready for pipe, conduit or anchor installation. Water and slurry are cleaned from the site.

Common Applications

Concrete coring is used on commercial and residential projects throughout Houston every day

Plumbing Pipe Penetrations

Drilling through floor slabs, foundation walls and concrete ceilings for new plumbing drain lines, supply pipes and sewer connections.

Electrical Conduit

Precise holes through concrete walls, slabs and foundations for electrical conduit, cable trays, low voltage wiring and panel feeders.

HVAC Ductwork

Large diameter core holes for HVAC supply and return ducts, exhaust fans, fresh air intakes and mechanical equipment penetrations through concrete.

Drainage & Floor Drains

Coring through floor slabs for new floor drains, area drains, trench drain connections and retrofit drainage installations in commercial kitchens, warehouses and garages.

Anchor Bolt Installation

Precision holes for epoxy-set anchor bolts, threaded rods, machinery anchors and structural connections in concrete foundations and slabs.

Gas Line Penetrations

Clean holes through concrete foundations, stem walls and slabs for natural gas supply lines, propane connections and underground gas service entry points.

Sprinkler & Fire Suppression

Coring through concrete decks and walls for fire sprinkler mains, branch lines, standpipes and fire suppression system installations in commercial buildings.

Concrete Test Cores

Extracting structural test cores from existing concrete for compressive strength testing, mix analysis and forensic investigation by engineers and testing labs.

Pool & Spa Plumbing

Coring through concrete pool shells, bond beams and surrounding slabs for return lines, suction fittings, skimmers, lights and equipment connections.

Why Choose Concrete Sawing Houston

Houston's concrete coring specialists — any size, any angle, any thickness

Any Size Hole

We drill holes from 1 inch to 60 inches in diameter. From a single conduit sleeve to a massive mechanical penetration — one call handles it all throughout Houston.

Same Day Service Available

Construction schedules don't wait. We offer same day flat sawing service throughout Houston and all surrounding areas. Call us and we'll get it scheduled.

Zero Damage Guaranteed

Diamond core drilling is vibration-free. The surrounding concrete is not cracked, chipped or disturbed. Your finished surfaces, tile and structure stay intact.

Free Estimates

Tell us the hole diameter, concrete thickness and quantity — we'll get you a fast free estimate. No obligation, no waiting, no runaround.

Free Quote Request

Concrete Sawing Houston

(936) 244-8686

Service Project Details Contact Done

Not Sure? We Can Help.

Click the description that matches your project.

Flat Concrete Sawing

Cutting through a floor, driveway, parking lot or horizontal slab.

Wall Sawing

An opening cut into a concrete wall for a door, window or duct.

Concrete Coring

A circular hole drilled through concrete for pipe, conduit or anchors.

Concrete Grinding

Surface prep, trip hazard removal or coating removal.

Green Concrete Cutting

Fresh pour — control joints needed within hours of placement.

Select Your Service

Tap once — we move right along.

Project Type

Tap to select — we move right to details.

Project Details

City required — everything else helps us quote faster.

Job Site City / Area *

Approximate Size (optional)

Rebar Present?

How Soon?

Anything Else? (optional)

Your Contact Info

How should we reach you with your free estimate?

Full Name *

Phone Number * — fastest response

Email Address *

Review & Submit

Everything look right? Hit Submit and we'll be in touch fast.

Request Transmitted

Your quote request is on its way. We'll be in touch shortly. Need to talk right now?

(936) 244-8686

Free Quote Request

Concrete Sawing Houston

(936) 244-8686

Service Project Details Contact Done

Not Sure? We Can Help.

Click the description that matches your project.

Flat Concrete Sawing

Cutting through a floor, driveway, parking lot or horizontal slab.

Wall Sawing

An opening cut into a concrete wall for a door, window or duct.

Concrete Coring

A circular hole drilled through concrete for pipe, conduit or anchors.

Concrete Grinding

Surface prep, trip hazard removal or coating removal.

Green Concrete Cutting

Fresh pour — control joints needed within hours of placement.

Select Your Service

Tap once — we move right along.

Project Type

Tap to select — we move right to details.

Project Details

City required — everything else helps us quote faster.

Job Site City / Area *

Approximate Size (optional)

Rebar Present?

How Soon?

Anything Else? (optional)

Your Contact Info

How should we reach you with your free estimate?

Full Name *

Phone Number * — fastest response

Email Address *

Review & Submit

Everything look right? Hit Submit and we'll be in touch fast.

Request Transmitted

Your quote request is on its way. We'll be in touch shortly. Need to talk right now?

(936) 244-8686

Concrete Coring — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about concrete core drilling in Houston TX

What sizes of holes can you drill?

We drill holes from 1 inch to 60 inches in diameter. The most common sizes we drill in Houston are 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch and 6-inch holes for plumbing and conduit. Larger diameter holes for HVAC, mechanical equipment and structural cores are also common. If you need a specific size tell us and we will confirm we have the right bit for your job.

How deep can you drill?

Our core drilling rigs can go virtually unlimited depth by adding extension rods to the drill string. There is no practical depth limit for most commercial and residential applications in Houston. Whether you need to drill through a 4-inch residential slab or a 36-inch thick foundation wall, we have the equipment to complete the job.

Can you drill at angles other than straight down?

Yes. Our drilling rigs are fully adjustable and can drill at any angle — vertical downward, horizontal through a wall, overhead into a ceiling slab, or at any specified angle in between. Angled drilling is common for drainage pipe penetrations through foundation walls and underground utility installations. Tell us your required angle and we will set up accordingly.

Will core drilling crack my floor or damage surrounding concrete?

No. Diamond core drilling is virtually vibration-free. The rotating bit cuts cleanly through the concrete without transmitting shock or vibration to the surrounding slab. Tile, polished concrete, nearby walls and finished surfaces adjacent to the drill location are not affected. This is one of the major advantages of core drilling over hammer drilling or jackhammering.

Can you core through concrete that has rebar in it?

Yes. Diamond core bits cut through rebar, wire mesh and fiber reinforcement. However, cutting rebar does weaken the structural integrity of the slab at that location — for structural slabs an engineer should confirm the hole location will not compromise the design. For non-structural slabs and floors, coring through rebar is routine and we do it every day throughout Houston.

What happens to the water during drilling?

Water flows through the hollow drill bit during the core to cool the diamond segments and flush concrete slurry out of the hole. On floor drilling the slurry runs out around the bit — we contain it with a rubber collar and wet vacuum it up continuously. On wall and overhead drilling we use specialized containment systems to prevent slurry from running across surfaces. We leave the site clean.

How long does it take to core a typical hole?

A standard 4-inch hole through a 4-inch concrete slab typically takes 15 to 30 minutes including setup. Larger diameter holes and thicker concrete take proportionally longer. When you have multiple holes, setup time is shared across all of them which makes larger quantities very efficient. We can give you a time estimate when you describe your specific job.

Do you offer same day coring service in Houston?

Yes. Plumbers, electricians, mechanical contractors and general contractors often need coring done immediately to keep their crews moving. We understand that and we prioritize fast response. Contact us directly and we will tell you honestly when we can be on your job site.

Do you serve areas outside Houston?

Yes. We serve all of greater Houston including Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Cypress, Humble, Baytown, Pasadena, League City and all surrounding communities. For larger commercial projects we travel further. Contact us with your location and we will confirm coverage.

Our Services

Professional concrete sawing and cutting solutions throughout Houston TX

Flat Concrete Sawing

Precision cuts on slabs, driveways, floors and flatwork of any thickness.

Wall Sawing

Precise openings in walls for doors, windows, HVAC and utility access.

Concrete Coring

Perfect circular holes for plumbing, electrical and drainage installations.

Concrete Grinding

Surface prep, trip hazard removal and leveling for any concrete surface.

Green Concrete Cutting

Early-entry sawing on fresh concrete to control cracking and shrinkage.