National Drilling News

National Drilling News

The latest National Drilling Services news.

Learn more about how we can help you:

Expansion joint sealing and crack repairs

Concrete floors and slabs that haven’t had expansion joints cut and sealed can be liable to cracking.  This is often as a result in changes of temperature or humidity which causes the concrete to expand or contract.  Without expansion joints which have been sealed with a flexible resin, cracks are more likely to occur.  However if the concrete floor in a building, structure or concrete slab on your site has developed cracks our skilled operators can repair them and ensure the crack does not impact on the stability and structure of the concrete slab.

How cracks in concrete slabs are repaired

The National Drilling Services operators are experienced and skilled at drilling, cutting and sealing. Using tested sealants we can ensure that cracks are repaired without causing further damage to the concrete structure.  Firstly, using a diamond blade cracks are chased out.  Next we drill holes within the crack. 

These holes then allow the injected resin to penetrate into the concrete slab.  Once the resin has been injected the crack is sealed using a thixotropic epoxy paste.  This sets proud, so the following day our operator will sand it to a smooth finish.

Expansion joint sealing

National Drilling Services uses tried and tested products from all the major expansion joint sealing manufacturers such as Fosroc and Permaban. Expansion joints are generally cut in concrete slabs within 24 hours of pouring depending on the environment.

You can find out more about expansion joint cutting and sawing, but here we are focusing on the next stage which is sealing the expansion joint.  The concrete floor joints are carefully sealed by our operators using permaban tape and injected with resin.  This resin is more flexible than the concrete material so it enables the slab to expand and contract with changes of temperature without the concrete cracking.

The importance of expansion joint cutting and sealing

In recent months and years across the UK we have experienced increasingly extreme weather conditions, which impact on the structures we build and the materials we use.  The materials need to be increasingly resilient to stand up to punishing winds, greater changes in temperatures, higher rainfall and intense heat.

These extremes of weather can mean that substances such as concrete expand and contract to a higher degree.  Cutting and then sealing expansion joints helps to prevent potentially harmful cracks occurring in concrete slabs and floors, ensuring the longevity of the structure.  

To discuss how National Drilling Services can help with your expansion joint sealing or any other cutting/sawing, drilling or demolition requirements contact us on 0161 443 2822.

Concrete Floor Sawing

Before we talk about concrete floor sawing what do we know about this material that we are sawing through?

Did you know that concrete is apparently only second to water as the most used substance worldwide?  Concrete is used in buildings across the globe, and it is said that measured in tonnage, twice as much concrete is used as steel, wood, plastics and aluminium combined. The purpose of concrete is obviously to create a resilient, strong and hard wearing building material, helping structures to resist extreme weathers and remain solid over several decades. 

This composite material combining fine and coarse aggregate means it is challenging to cut into.  However, this is what the operators at National Drilling Services do on a daily basis.  Our experienced team use our specialised cutting, sawing and drilling equipment to create cable lines, door openings, joints and holes in concrete to allow access for services, expansion and redesigned structures.

Can you create a clean cut by using concrete floor sawing?

When cutting flat surfaces such as pavements, carriageways, roadways or bridges and other concrete slabs, concrete floor sawing is a tried and tested method reliably used for making clean cuts. Our operators at National Drilling Services also use concrete floor sawing for cuts required as part of demolition projects, trenching, floor chases and joints.  Using this method of cutting concrete floors and slabs we can make cuts up to 500mm in depth. With a stock of a variety of sizes and types of concrete floor sawing blades, we are able to saw through concrete in all kinds of environments and situations.

How is concrete floor sawing powered?

Our concrete floor sawing machines can be powered in three different ways according to what is available or suitable to the particular project.  We can use 3 phase electric, petrol or diesel engines.  3 phase electric is especially appropriate for indoor use as there are no fumes associated with this method.  No doubt where it is possible to use the electric powered option then it will become more and more popular as the cost of fuel rockets.
To find out more about our concrete floor sawing services and how they can be used on your construction site or for a demolition project you can contact us via our website.  Alternatively to talk to one of our team and discuss your specific requirements give us a call on 0161 443 2822.

Electric powered concrete floor sawing helps with carbon footprint

Electric power is what we are all striving towards to help reduce our carbon footprint and bring a halt to climate change. So what has this got to do with concrete floor sawing you may wonder.

Like many of the sawing, cutting and drilling machines used by National Drilling Services, our concrete floor sawing equipment can be powered by 3 phase electric. This method of powering concrete floor sawing can be used where electric power is available, but is currently most commonly used on sites where the work is carried out in an enclosed area, such as a hall or warehouse.

In these situations fumes from petrol or diesel driven engines can be a potential risk to the operator and those working in the vicinity of the concrete floor sawing. In light of the push to eliminate diesel and petrol powered engines, we foresee that we will be relying solely on electric power in the future. Maybe our machines will be solar powered one day instead of having to plug them in though?

When to use concrete floor sawing

It might be obvious that concrete floor sawing machines are used to cut concrete floors. However we still get some questions about why and what kind of floors do National Drilling Services need to cut through, often from people outside the industry of construction and not familiar with site work and concrete floor sawing.

Most of the concrete floor sawing that our operators carry out is in cutting roadways, carriageways, pavements, bridges and concrete slabs. Cuts in these surfaces are needed for a number of reasons;

  • Trenching cuts are required for services to be installed, such as gas pipes, electricity cables, water pipes or broadband/telephone cables.
  • Jointing cuts are made to allow room for expansion in the surface material, to avoid cracking. Expansion and contraction in the material occurs with changes of temperature and atmospherics
  • Demolition cuts are made with our concrete floor sawing machines in order to allow surfaces to be lifted and replaced or removed.
  • Concrete floor sawing is also employed for floor chases where we can cut to a depth of up to 500mm.

Why use National Drilling Services for your concrete floor sawing?

National Drilling Services has invested in a range of diamond floor cutting and concrete floor sawing equipment, in various sizes, which means we can carry out concrete floor sawing projects in all kinds of challenging environments. We also work around the clock so we can fit in with your site schedules or access restrictions. Our team of operators are trained and skilled and comply with site health and safety regulations.

To find out more about how National Drilling Services can help on your site with concrete floor sawing or other drilling and cutting services give us a call on 0161 443 2822 or contact us at a local level or by email.

Track wall sawing for fast accurate cutting

Deadlines and schedules are always on the minds of site foreman, project managers and anyone working in construction management. As we all know time is money, that is why National Drilling Services track wall sawing machines are always in demand. Track wall sawing is not just fast and efficient but creates precise cuts in hard materials such as reinforced concrete and masonry structures.

Often the downside with fast solutions is they are not so accurate, but with our track wall sawing machines this is not the case. As a result we find that we get many requests for repeat business from construction management companies working on different sites across the UK.

Why use track wall sawing?

Apart from being fast, efficient and accurate, track wall sawing is also adaptable to different situations and requirements. The name track ‘wall’ sawing might suggest that this is for making vertical cuts. However this track method of cutting can also be used for horizontal cuts and also for making inverted cuts.

The maximum depth of cuts using the track wall sawing method is 800mm. This is ideal when you need to make new window or vent apertures, cut through walls to create doorways or where flush cutting is needed to create new lift shafts or stairways.

At National Drilling Services we stock a wide variety of sizes of diamond blades from 450mm to an extremely large 2m diameter blade. This means we can provide track wall sawing services in pretty much any situation. In fact there are many applications for track wall sawing.

Using our range of blades the trained and skilled operators of our track wall sawing machines can make angled cuts as well as vertical and horizontal cuts. This is in addition to supporting demolition cutting requirements. Using the latest high powered saws and hydraulic driven machines we can create smooth cuts with high accuracy. The results are always superior to other cutting tools such as stitch drilling and wire sawing.

To discuss your track wall sawing requirements contact our experienced team on 0161 443 2822. We are well established in our field and have been supporting the construction industry for over 3 decades. Many of the contacts we have built up in the industry come back to us again and again as they work on different sites around the UK.

What’s more is they also refer us to their other contacts and sites so our reputation as experts in the field of drilling, cutting, sawing and demolition is perpetuated. For more information see our about us page.

brokk

Technology in the Construction Industry

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Many jobs in the construction industry and on construction sites across the UK still rely very heavily on hands-on manual labour and skilled trades.  Larger sites will have machines to increase the speed and efficiency of the progress of preparation.  For example diggers, dump trucks and other such machines will be operating to remove spoil and level surfaces in preparation for construction. For high rise buildings, often seen in cities, tall cranes will be used as the building gets too high for scaffolding.  However, you might not associate technological efficiencies with demolition.

Technology in drilling and demolition

National Drilling Services, as a leading supplier of drilling services to the UK construction industry, has invested in a range of drilling, sawing and demolition equipment using the latest blades and technology.  We are literally at the cutting edge when it comes to these services, which is probably why we get so much repeat business and recommendations.  Efficiencies and accuracy in outcomes result from using diamond blades and diamond drill pieces and robotic demolition.  Using diamond edged equipment means cuts are fast and accurate.  We stock a large range of blade sizes from 450mm to a huge 2m diameter.  This means that the operators working for National Drilling Services can cut or drill to virtually any depth required.  However our most impressive piece of technology is actually a robot, which we use for demolition.

Robotic demolition with Brokk 100

Construction Industry

A few years ago the management team at National Drilling Services took the decision to invest, not just in stocking the latest diamond edged blades and drill pieces for drilling and sawing equipment, but also in a Brokk 100 robotic demolition machine. Since its introduction into our list of services it has amazed and impressed construction site managers and workers alike across the UK.  To be honest it does look quite impressive even when it is sat on the back of the truck when it first arrives on site. First impressions are usually surprise at how compact and small the Brokk 100 demolition machine is.  After all it arrives on site on a standard truck – no low loader required.  However don’t be fooled by it’s size, this robotic demolition machine is a real powerhouse. In fact it is said by Brokk engineers that it out performs machines that are five times as big. It is ideal for use in small spaces due to there being no fumes and it can work in tight areas, including lift shafts and even up stair cases. Some of the other benefits of the Brokk 100 are that it is:

  • Very reliable
  • Highly efficient
  • Versatile
  • Highly stable even on bumpy surfaces
  • Low on noise
  • Heat and impact protected
  • Operated remotely

All these factors add up to a very good health and safety record, which is always a high priority for the management of National Drilling Services.  Our technicians are all well trained in the operation of each machine and also in the importance of operating within the health and safety guidelines. Where possible we select machines and equipment to avoid percussive repetition, high noise and dust levels, so minimising the risk to the operator and other site workers.  We are always on the look out for new ways of working using technology to improve our efficiency, effectiveness and safety levels.

Technology in construction design

Technology has been integral to the design process for decades, with CAD systems now relied on for creating simulated building designs and measurements for quantity surveyors and project management.  In fact hand drawn technical drawings are probably an image of nostalgia for most rather than having any expected practical use. Designs are often viewed on screens rather than paper, where you can rotate through different angles and allow different perspectives and views to enable the construction process (assuming all those concerned are familiar with the technology of course).  Paper copies may still be required on site for reference but they will most likely be printed from the CAD system.

Technology in construction management

Construction Industry

Technology is also gradually being introduced into building and construction management, also known as Building Information Management (BIM).  There are many benefits to this for the project overall relating to energy and environmental factors as well as building maintenance. However with multiple platforms available it can be a bit of a minefield for subcontractors who have to navigate a different software for each construction site. This is still in its infancy for the industry with use depending on the site management and size of the project.

National Drilling Services are only too well aware that there are restrictions on site access, either due to the environment or location of the site, or latterly due to keeping a reduced number of personnel on site at any one time.  Covid-19 has created a number of new operating requirements for many, including on construction sites where sometimes one way systems have had to be introduced and extended hours for working implemented.  The team at National  Drilling Services are used to working at times to suit the site restrictions, even before the pandemic.  We can provide the drilling, sawing and demolition services required around the clock.

Technology is also used as most of us have experienced when entering any site or venue, by the NHS for track and trace to help restrict the spread of the virus.  The QR code is now something with which we are all familiar and use regularly if we are visiting different sites or buildings.  So now we all just need to ensure we have a smartphone and enough battery capacity to allow us to access each site. Suddenly the need to carry a portable charger or power bank does not only seem key to our teenage offspring!

To discuss how we use technology in our drilling, sawing, cutting and demolition services and how that might benefit your construction site or project, call us on 0161 443 2822 or alternatively you can email us info@national-drilling.co.uk

drilling and sawing

How the ageing population impacts the workforce in drilling and sawing

As you will probably be aware, the UK has an ageing population, it is well documented and often is mentioned in relation to employment statistics and job availability.  How does this age demographic impact with taking on operatives to work with National Drilling Services in the field of drilling and sawing?  In this article we discuss the challenges of recruiting a new generation of operatives whilst maintaining our knowledge and skill levels from those experienced and more mature workers. The labour market is ever challenging with changes accelerated due to the impact of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

drilling and sawing

Appealing to potential employees

In recent decades many labourers and skilled physical workers have originated from the European Union, with a big influx of Polish workers in particular.  With the change in border controls and less freedom of movement since the implementation of Brexit, this is another pool of potential employees which has become less accessible. In fact, migration has been a considerable factor in the UKs population growth since the 1990s. It is too early to know how much Brexit will impact on these statistics.

Covid 19 pandemic and the impact on the workforce

Our standard working arrangements have all been severely disrupted over the last year or so due to the pandemic.  This has made it impossible for students to gain work experience, with minimal numbers of people actually travelling to the office and workplaces and no extra visitors allowed onto sites.  Some of the older members of the workforce across UK construction sites have been more susceptible to the virus sometimes forcing earlier retirement than planned exacerbating the loss of experience and skills.  In some cases even resulting in loss of life all together.  Education has also been greatly disrupted and it is unclear at this stage how this may impact on employment in the longer term.  The pandemic has also actively encouraged the digital world with almost everything going virtual.  Whilst this has been a life line to many and enabled contact with friends and family when otherwise it would have been impossible, it has increased the amount of screen time for us all potentially encouraging teenagers in particular to be completely reliant on this form of communication and contact.

The UK ageing demographics

The ageing population of the UK means that there are more people reaching retirement than joining the workforce.  Inevitably as skilled operatives retire they take with them years of experience and knowledge that you cannot easily replace.  Bringing in apprentices allows the youngsters and new employees to work alongside those coming up for retirement, hopefully providing the opportunity for some of the knowledge to be passed on before it is lost to the industry.

How does National Drilling Services recruit operatives with an ageing workforce labour pool?

The management at National Drilling Services has been proactive in our approach to sustainable recruitment of operatives.  Many of our workforce have joined us through our apprenticeship scheme.  This is a thorough 2 year apprenticeship scheme which teaches apprentices everything there is to know about drilling and sawing.  Successful applicants learn about drilling and sawing on both a practical, hands on level as well as the theory behind why we operate this way. This includes all the health and safety aspects which are important to understand and carry out in order to maintain the safety of all operatives working on the site, whether National Drilling Services employees or other site workers.  Our apprentices have the opportunity to achieve an NVQ level 2 in drilling and sawing if they complete the 2 year course.

Do apprenticeship schemes work?

As we have already noted above we do have a number of employees who have joined our team of operatives via our apprenticeship scheme, so yes the scheme does work.  One of the benefits of the apprenticeship (from the apprenticeships perspective especially) is that apprentices receive wages whilst learning. That is a big incentive to school leavers or those who are struggling to get a job due to lack of experience or qualifications. Another benefit which apprentices often mention is that they can see the application of the theoretical teaching by being involved in the hands on operation alongside the learning.  Finishing the apprenticeship after just 2 years potentially with an NVQ Level 2, 2 years work experience and potentially a job is also a big draw for apprentices.  However it is getting increasingly difficult to attract younger people into the skilled manual labour roles.

Engaging the younger generation in skilled physical labour

In our experience it is becoming increasingly difficult to engage the younger generation in job roles requiring physical labour.  Perhaps living in an ever increasingly digital age maybe a contributor to this, in two respects.  Firstly some of the younger generation seem to be so busy engaging in social media and other apps and functions available on their phones and tablets, that they have become a bit ‘removed’ from what is actually happening around them.  This is both physical and mental.  If you are continuously looking down then you potentially become less aware of what it happening around you and also less curious about activities taking place.

Ask yourself a question, whatever your age – did you see the construction site you just passed?  If so what was happening there?  Did you see people working?  What were they wearing?  What were they doing? What machinery were they operating?  We appreciate that on many sites the protective fencing or boarding may obstruct the view of the site but you may still be able to see something of the construction or demolition rising high above the height of the perimeter fencing.

Another factor is that our operational roles are not the kind of roles that youngsters are aware of.  Many have some kind of idea what a plumber or electrician, builder or carpenter might do but drilling and sawing are not the kind of activities that you often see on a domestic or residential site unless you are already involved in construction.

At National Drilling Services we have a reputation to uphold.  As the UK market leader in drilling services to the construction industry it is important that we have a sustainable succession of skilled operatives to carry out a range of drilling and sawing services.  If you are interested finding out more about a potential in a role in our business please contact us .  Alternatively call us for a chat on 0161 443 2822.

Health & Safety on Construction Sites

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Health and safety is often met with a groan from many, no matter what industry you work in or position you may hold.  Health in particular has probably never been higher on everyone’s agenda than in the last year.  We have discussed previously the impact of Covid-19 on health policies at work as you can see in our article posted in March.  For those of you who haven’t read the article, we highlighted some of the new site rules which employees need to adhere to such as social distancing, wearing face masks, hand hygiene, working in bubbles and use of rest rooms/canteens etc. Such policies are of course not specific to the construction industry, but have become commonplace actions wherever there is interaction between people, whether for social, business or pleasure.  On top of these some sites have had to introduce one way systems and increased signage reminding visitors and site workers of the regulations.

Implications of not taking Health & Safety seriously

Health & Safety on Construction Sites So back to Health & Safety (try not to groan and please do continue reading) – think of the implications if we didn’t have Health & Safety regulations.  If there were no such regulations and guidelines construction sites would have higher injury and death rates as well as a poor reputation which would potentially impact on employment and procurement of skilled labour.  It is a serious matter which underpins business strategy in the industry and should definitely be taken seriously.  The management at National Drilling Services take pride in our strict health and safety policy, ensuring all operatives are fully trained and understand all the relevant rules for working on site (pre and post Covid-19).

Health at work

In fact it is probably fair to say that when we speak of ‘Health & Safety’ we are often primarily thinking of safety against injury – we are imagining hard hats, ear defenders, masks to protect from dust inhalation, safety harnesses for those working on scaffolding or roof tops and so on.  What is often over looked initially is the impact of working on construction sites on long term health.  Maybe even now you are not sure what these could be.  According to the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) and let’s be honest they should know best about these matters – there are a number of high risk health factors in the construction industry.  They are:

  • Cancer – caused by exposure to asbestos, silica or leaded paint or diesel fumes
  • Hazardous substances – not all of these may seem obviously hazardous – such as dust, but it also includes chemicals used for mixing or cleaning, harmful mixes as well as processes emitting fumes, vapours, gases etc
  • Physical health risks – these maybe more what you had in mind, including back injuries and upper limb disorders, manual handling issues, problems associated with noise and vibration

Good Safety strategies lead to good health at work

However, if we all work to a high Health and Safety level as a standard procedure all these health risks can be minimised. The advice is to treat ill health in the same way we approach safety:

  • Assess the risk – identify the hazards and their significance, involve the workers in how to overcome these issues to produce a planned strategy to avoid the impact of the risk
  • Control – prevent risks before work begins by training workers
  • Review – continually review policies and procedures, supervise workers, maintain controls and monitor their effectiveness with a view to acting to change if required

The issue with many of these health risks is that they are not necessarily immediate like safety injuries. In fact some of these reactions or diseases may well only become apparent many years after the worker has left employment in the construction industry.

Responsibility – it might just save their life

Whilst the employer, construction site foreman or contractor may have responsibility for what happens on site, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure

  1. they are aware of the risks
  2. they take the correct action to avoid those risks
    • by wearing appropriate safety protection
    • working safely when working with moving parts, sharp tools, harmful substances, emissions, at height etc
    • showing awareness of all site operations
  3. if they notice co-workers are not following the health & safety guidelines correct their actions – it might just save their life

At National Drilling Services we view health and safety as a fundamental element of the way we operate.  All our drilling, cutting, sawing and demolition operatives are fully trained and observe the company health and safety guidelines.  The management team at National Drilling Services is always looking out for the latest development in methods, processes and equipment to give our operatives improved safety.  Our experienced operatives each hold current CSCS, CPCS, SSSTS and relevant NVQ qualifications amongst many more.

Health and Safety on a practical level when drilling, sawing and cutting

In our business when we are primarily drilling, sawing or cutting inevitably there are risks as there are moving parts, heavy equipment and inevitably there will be dust.  However we select equipment and methods that keeps these risks to the lowest level.  For example our diamond core drilling methods only create a minimal amount of debris with only a minor noise level and low HAVS level too.  Some of our machines also have a range of power source options so when working inside we can avoid fumes.  Our wire sawing process is non percussive as it is operated by remote control meaning the operative not only avoids repetitive strain but also is able to stand back from the cutting further reducing risk.  This wire sawing technique also uses water to cool the wire which in turn also keeps down the dust levels.

One of our most impressive pieces of machinery is our Brokk demolition robotic machine.  This is the safest form of demolition as it is operated remotely and can be accurately directed right to the specific area of demolition.

To find out more about our health and safety policies or to discuss the drilling, sawing, cutting or demolition services required for your construction site do give us a call on 0161 443 2822 or alternatively if you prefer you can email us info@national-drilling.co.uk. For regional offices see our contact page.

The Impact of Brexit on the Construction Industry

We have all spent the last 3 years waking up to more talk about Brexit in the news, but now that it is actually here what does it mean in reality and is that what we expected?

Whether you personally were a ‘remainer’ or a ‘leave’ voter in the referendum, is now largely irrelevant.  We are now beyond looking back and must look forward to embrace what opportunities we can, following the finalisation of Brexit.  It is too early to know whether Brexit will ultimately benefit the UK economy or not.  Of course the final Brexit date falling within a third lockdown due to the pandemic will further skew the results.  However let’s look at the potential impact on the construction industry, which is where National Drilling Services predominantly works.

 Supply to the Construction Industry

As with many other industries across the nation, there is equipment and parts that are used in the construction processes or for machinery that are either manufactured or distributed from within the European Union (EU).  Unsurprisingly these parts and products have in some cases been delayed since Brexit came into force.  More rigorous checking at customs borders at ports has created some hold ups in supply as well as the increased amount of paperwork required.  Export and import licences as well as declaration forms and altered customs arrangements are just the tip of the iceberg, but how has this affected National Drilling Services in particular?

 Supply from the EU to National Drilling Services

The strong reputation in the UK construction industry for National Drilling Services is built upon providing a reliable and top quality service to the construction companies and contractors for whom we work.  That means our operators respect the site regulations and work closely with the site manager to ensure work is carried out efficiently and safely.  Our team also ensure that we access the construction site at a time to suit the building/demolition schedule, even if that requires our team to be working at night.  It also means we arrive on site with all the appropriate equipment, machinery and parts to facilitate the drilling, sawing or demolition task which we are required to perform.

Brexit causes a delay in supply

It is this last point where we have seen the impact of the restriction of the flow of goods as a result of the implementation of Brexit.  Many drilling and cutting consumables either come from or have to pass through the EU countries before they arrive in the UK.  This is putting pressure on our stock levels of parts such as diamond blades for example.  Without these diamond blades we may be held back in providing our usual fast, efficient and accurate cutting and drilling services. The prompt supply of blades and drill parts are obviously fundamental to us providing our main services, so any issues with supply of these parts impacts heavily on our operation.  Generally we have reasonable stock levels of most of the blades etc that we use, but delays in restocking is causing us concerns in being able to meet schedules and maintain our efficient service.

Supply issues due to Brexit or other reasons?

It is difficult to know for sure how much of these supply concerns are directly due to the impact of increased border restrictions, complex paperwork and import/export licence requirements due to Brexit, or if it is partly due to the Covid 19 pandemic.  Manufacturing and distribution centres worldwide have been forced to either close temporarily (certainly during the first lockdown) or rethink how they work in order to maintain social distancing and keep assembly workers, packers as well as office workers safe.  All this comes at a cost which means there is another knock on affect to National Drilling Services.

 Price increases – a knock on effect

brexit on construction industry Although inflation is still relatively low in the UK at under 1%, it has risen repeatedly in the last 6 months. As you can see in the chart published by the Office for National Statistics. The Consumer Price Index is still well under the Bank of England target rate of 2%, but in real terms as a business, the management at National Drilling Services is noticing significant price increases in drilling and cutting parts across the board.  There is only so much additional cost we can absorb before we are forced to increase our rates as well.  Many business which have been forced to close temporarily during lockdown have taken the opportunity on reopening their doors to increase their prices.  As our services have barely stopped apart from at the beginning of the first lockdown and we have so far maintained our prices at the same level as they were this time last year.  However we will have to consider a price increase soon if our costs continue this trend upwards.

Time is money

It may sound like an old cliché but time really is money and on top of the cost increases we have been subjected to, we also have the time cost of sorting out the complex paperwork. We mentioned in passing that there are all kinds of forms which need to be completed and that is once we have established that the business we purchase from has a licence to export to the UK. All these administrative issues have taken considerable time out of our working day when we might otherwise have been focusing on our operations on the ground and talking to our customers.

On a brighter note, we can confirm that all these arrangements are in place and whilst there have been a few teething troubles with supply, we are confident that these will all iron out.  So the good news for our customers is that we will continue to be able to provide the drilling, cutting and demolition services as you would expect from a UK leading supplier.  We look forward to serving the UK construction industry going forwards and continuing to build our relationships with our colleagues in construction.

To discuss your drilling, sawing or demolition requirements you can contact us. Alternatively just pick the phone and call us on 0161 443 2822.

Australasia Restaurant Entrance

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Anyone who has walked through Manchester’s Spinningfields district will have seen the striking entrance to the Australasia Restaurant outside the Armani Store.

The restaurant is situated underneath the busy Deansgate road and the entrance comprises a glass ‘pyramid’ structure over descending steps.  But how many people have wondered how creating such an entrance was achieved?

The answer is that we at National Drilling created the opening using a track saw to cut the concrete into small sections, carefully lifting each section with lifting eyes and a gantry, and us removing waste concrete and tidying the site.  Because of the city-centre location of the site and the potential disruption to thousands of pedestrians, works had to take place on a Sunday morning and be completed within a strict time frame of 1 working day.

Track Wall Sawing

National Drilling Services Ltd are proud operators of the latest high-powered saws and hydraulic driven machines. Track Wall Sawing can be used for vertical, horizontal, or even inverted cuts so the process is excellent for forming doorways or window apertures, flush cutting against walls for breaking lines, lift shafts, and stairways.  Our stock of diamond blades ranges from 450mm to a gigantic 2 metre diameter so no matter what your project’s specific requirements are we can accommodate.  If you think we may be able to help you with your project, please call us on tel: 0161 443 2822 or you can email us at info@national-drilling.co.uk.

SafeContractor Approved Accreditation!

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SafeContractor Approved

Here at National Drilling Services Ltd we are delighted to announce that we recently passed our SafeContractor Audit to successfully renew our accreditation!

The SafeContractor audit is a tailored health and safety accreditation that demonstrates that National Drilling’s health and safety documentation and processes are up to date and meet recognised industry standards.

A copy of our certificate can be viewed by clicking on this image:

SafeContractor Approved

Why use National Drilling Services Ltd?

National Drilling Services Ltd places a high priority on health and safety, ensuring we offer our customers a quality service. Our experienced operatives all hold current CSCS, CPCS, SSSTS certificates as well as relevant NVQ and other qualifications. In addition to SafeContractor, as a business we also have associations and accreditations with CHAS, Constructionline Gold and Achilles.

National Drilling Services Ltd accreditations

To find out more about how we can help you on your next construction project just give us a call 0161 443 2822 or you can drop us an email outlining the details to info@national-drilling.co.uk.

Brokk Demolition – concrete drilling – concrete floor sawing – diamond core drilling – diamond wire sawing – electric floor sawing – expansion joint cutting –  expansion joint sealing – robotic demolition – track wall sawing – wire sawing

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