16" and 12" Core Drilling Inside a Sanitary Manhole in Jordan MN

This one was a two-drill job. We completed a 16" core drill followed by a 12" core inside a sanitary manhole in Jordan, MN. Two different sizes, both needing clean, accurate penetrations through precast concrete walls. Not a ton of room to work, but that's part of the deal with manhole work.

Core drilling inside a confined structure like a manhole isn't something you can rush. The rig has to be set up level and locked in tight before you ever start spinning the bit. Any movement, any misalignment, and you're dealing with a sloppy hole that won't seal right. We use a track-mounted drill rig that anchors directly to the structure - that's what keeps everything dialed in through the entire cut.

The 16" bore is no small opening. Cutting that size through reinforced concrete takes a diamond-tipped core barrel, steady feed pressure, and water cooling the whole time to keep the bit cutting clean. We ran both cores without issue - each opening came out smooth and true to spec.

Sanitary sewer and utility work like this is where precision really matters. A sloppy core means a bad seal, and a bad seal in a sanitary system is a real problem down the road. Getting it right the first time is the only acceptable outcome on jobs like this.

We handle underground and utility core drilling for contractors, municipalities, and utility crews across the area. Whether it's one core or several, in a tight space or open excavation, we bring the right equipment and we know how to use it.