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Is it better to drill concrete fast or slow?

Drilling at a lower speed is more efficient for drilling through concrete, and it prevents the bit from overheating. Masonry bits with a carbide or diamond tip specifically intended for hammer drills are more efficient and penetrate hard surfaces better and faster.

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A drill bit may appear to be a simple hunk of metal; the average person probably doesn't put much thought into its design. However, there are actually several types of distinct drill bits that vary based on the type of material you need to drill into and how big of a hole you want to make. Wood is the most commonly drilled material, but there are also bits made to punch through metal, glass, ceramic tiles and concrete. They all come in standard sizes based on bit length and diameter, usually measured in metric units. The most common type of drill bit is known as the twist bit, which is great for tapping into soft wood and metal. In a pinch, it can be used on brick or concrete, but a specialized bit will always give faster results and be safer for big home improvement jobs. Drill bits made to drill through concrete are called masonry bits. These are typically thicker and sturdier than carpentry bits in order to bore through thick concrete, brick or stone without warping and snapping. They're best paired with a specialized hammer drill, which moves the bit in an in-and-out hammering motion as well as the typical rotation. This allows you to punch through stonework more quickly and efficiently than a typical electric drill allows. Drill bits with a tungsten carbide tip are the strongest; when it comes to solid concrete, the sharper the better. Masonry bits cut holes through concrete in two steps. The tip of the drill bit is larger in diameter than the shaft below so that when the shaft reaches the hole, it fits right in. Drilling at a lower speed is more efficient for drilling through concrete, and it prevents the bit from overheating. Masonry bits with a carbide or diamond tip specifically intended for hammer drills are more efficient and penetrate hard surfaces better and faster. Any type of drill can be used with standard drill bits for masonry work, but regular drills may not be the best choice for particularly tough jobs. Bits made to punch through tile are very similar to masonry bits, but they're even sharper in order to cut through the brittle materials without chipping them. Coring drill bits are also useful for making large holes in concrete walls. These are much bigger than typical bits and come with diamond-tipped teeth blades to be as tough and sharp as possible. These need to be paired with a heavy-duty hammer drill or impact gun to really put the power into your bore. For deep core drilling, a lubrication system may also be necessary to keep the bit cool as it cuts into the concrete.

Originally Published: May 18, 2011

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How long should concrete set without rain?

How long does concrete take to dry after rain? Once the concrete has been finished (between 4-8 hours after pouring) and has set hard enough for walking on, the effects of rain should be minimal.

HOW DOES RAIN AFFECT CONCRETE?

Rain falling on top of freshly laid concrete can damage the surface and compromise a level and floated finish. Even worse, if too much extra water works its way into the concrete mix, it can alter the carefully proportioned water-cement ratio, disrupt the curing process and result in weak concrete overall – every concrete contractor’s nightmare. For this reason, it’s important when pouring concrete in the rain to never lay the concrete onto wet surfaces or trenches filled with water if there’s a risk that the water may mix into the concrete. The concrete mixture can often displace the rain water, pushing it upwards and out of the cavity into rainwater pools. Don’t try to ‘soak up’ the rain water with the concrete or dry cement, or work it into a freshly laid surface as this excess water will compromise the concrete mix and diminish the top layer. How rainwater will affect concrete depends on the stage in the curing and pouring process that was reached before the rain set in. If the concrete is still fresh (around 2-4 hours after pouring), it’s important to cover the surface to protect it.

How long does concrete take to dry after rain?

Once the concrete has been finished (between 4-8 hours after pouring) and has set hard enough for walking on, the effects of rain should be minimal. The curing process is a chemical reaction, with ready mix concrete taking up to 28 days to fully cure. However, as long as you let your fresh concrete cure under waterproof covers with good drainage for a minimum of 4-8 hours, this should be sufficient to prevent damage.

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