How to Drill for a Horizontal Foundation Drain

Foundations are one of the most durable parts of a home, and when it comes to installing horizontal drain pipes it means you may have to drill through the concrete of the foundation. There is only one way to drill a hole through concrete reliably, and that is with what is known as a core bit. The do-it-yourself versions are dry bits that attach to a hammer drill that you can rent at your local home improvement store, but there are also commercial versions available that come as a complete rig that uses water or oil to wet the bit for large-scale operations.

Safety glasses
Work gloves
Respirator
Pencil
Tape measure
Hammer drill
Dry core bit

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the diameter of the pipe for the drain and use that to determine how large of a core bit you need to purchase in order to cut through the foundation. You need a bit that is as wide as the pipe. Once you have your supplies, mark the area on the foundation to define the center of the hole you need to cut for the drain pipe.
- 2
  Place the tip of the core bit over the mark on the foundation. In the middle of the core bit’s head there is a smaller bit known as a pilot. Place the pilot on top of the mark. The outer edges of the core make up the actual size of the hole, while the pilot merely guides the drill during its initial moments of biting into the concrete.
- 3
  Hold the drill firmly in both hands. Pull the trigger slowly until the pilot guide has dug its way into the concrete. You may need to re-position the bit several times until this happens. Once the pilot bit is in the foundation, pull the trigger full speed and apply pressure to bury the outer edges of the core bit in the concrete. Keep pressure on the drill while you push until you punch through the foundation.

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