What is better shotcrete or gunite?

Gunite generally lasts longer and maintains a higher quality than shotcrete. For instance, gunite tends to dry faster than shotcrete, leading to a much smoother surface and avoiding significant cracks from shrinking. Gunite can also withstand up to 9500 psi, a much higher psi than shotcrete.

What is the difference from shotcrete and gunite?

Structurally these two materials are very similar. The biggest difference between the two materials is when water is introduced to the mix. With gunite, the water is added on site. With shotcrete, the water is added prior to arrival.

Is shotcrete stronger than concrete?

The impact velocity of properly applied shotcrete instantly compacts the material, yielding an “in-place” mix that is richer in cement and higher in strength than the same mixture prior to placement.

What is better gunite or concrete pool?

Unlike concrete, when building gunite pools, you can stop and start without any problems, which will help give a smoother finish. With a skilled nozzleman, the mix of cement and water can be adjusted at the point of delivery as required, while it is also less prone to cracking than concrete.

What is a disadvantage to shotcrete?

The primary disadvantage of shotcrete compared to poured concrete is the amount of time that it takes when used for large foundations, structural piers, and other structures with large cross-sections, compared to using conventional forms for these large structures.

Gunite vs. Shotcrete: What's the Difference?

What is the purpose of shotcrete?

Shotcrete is used to reinforce both temporary and permanent excavations. It may be employed, in concert with lagging and other forms of earth anchor, to stabilize an excavation for an underground parking structure or hi-rise buildings during construction.

What are the advantages of using shotcrete compared with conventional concrete construction?

Using shotcrete allows the same composition as concrete, but a much lower water-cement ratio. Its high compressive strength, low absorption, low permeability, and resistance to weathering or chemicals make dry-mix shotcrete comparable, perhaps even superior, to conventional concrete applications.

How long will a gunite pool last?

But a properly built Gunite pool can and should last for 100 years or more, with no risk of cracking whatsoever. We've been building Gunite pools for more than 40 years (more than 4000 swimming pools), and we've never had one crack yet.

Can gunite pools be salt water?

If you're looking for a simple answer, the answer is yes. Saltwater chlorinators are perfectly safe for gunite pools. The biggest issues reported when using saltwater chlorinators with gunite pools have to do with the tendency of the plaster to stain over time when coming into contact with salt.

Which is more expensive gunite or shotcrete?

Cost. Because of the relatively simple construction process, gunite pools are generally noticeably cheaper than shotcrete or typical concrete pools.

Are gunite pools the best?

A Solid foundation: A gunite pool is perfect because of its amazing design versatility. These pools last the longest of all inground pools and often feature the best warranties. Gunite pools do not need wooden frameworks to hold the shape, so building is simpler than standard concrete.

How long does it take to shotcrete a pool?

While there's no clear-cut answer because a lot of the process varies for reasons such as weather or the size of the project, in general, you can expect an average of eight to 12 weeks to have your shotcrete pool built.

Are there cold joints in shotcrete?

In shotcrete, there's no such thing as a cold joint. You can stop shooting and come back a year later and if the surface and surround are properly prepared you can resume shooting and still come away with a monolithic structure.

Can shotcrete get wet?

Shotcrete needs to be protected from rain until it obtains its final set, usually 4 or 5 hours. Following final set, it should be wet cured for at least 4 days, preferably 7 days if possible. The exposure to rain would prove beneficial as the rain would assure the presence of moisture for continued curing.

Does shotcrete need to be sealed?

One such expert is Bill Drakeley of Watershapes University, who told us if shotcrete is properly applied and cured, usually waterproofing is not necessary for the shell in the ground. Too often, bad shotcrete application is the cause of water penetrating through the concrete shell.

Which pool finish lasts the longest?

Tile Finishes

Though tile is the most expensive pool finish and takes longer to install than plaster and aggregate, it's the longest lasting pool surface. With proper application and minimal maintenance, tiles should never need to be replaced. Tile pool finishes come in ceramic, porcelain, glass and stone.

Are gunite pools hard to maintain?

Thankfully, most gunite pool maintenance is simple enough you can do it on your own. A gunite swimming pool requires just as much cleaning and maintenance as any other kind. Though most pool cleaning methods are pretty simple, you do need to remember to perform regular maintenance to keep your pool running.

Which is better saltwater or chlorine pool?

One of the major benefits of saltwater systems is that they have significantly lower levels of chlorine than traditional chlorine systems and don't require harsh chemicals. As a result, the water is gentler on your skin, eyes and hair, and it does not fade swimwear or towels the way that chlorine pools do.

What is the easiest type of pool to maintain?

People who have heard the buzz about fiberglass, but don't yet have all the details will frequently ask us, “What are its advantages?” When they do, we humorously ask, “How much time do you have?” Not only are fiberglass pools the easiest type to own and maintain, there are many other benefits as well.

What happens if you dont water shotcrete?

Lack of curing and exposure to windy, hot, or dry conditions will certainly increase the potential for shrinkage and cracking of the concrete. Lack of curing will prevent the concrete from achieving its maximum potential strength.

Why do gunite pools crack?

A common cause with pool cracks is from too-thin gunite used during the installation process. During the construction process, the gunite might not adhere properly to the steel framework. When this occurs, the gunite “rebounds,” or bounces back after application. Rebound gunite should be removed and thrown away.

Is shotcrete different from concrete?

Shotcrete is a wet- or dry mix concrete that is pneumatically propelled at high velocity through a hose and nozzle that does not require conventional forming. CIP concrete offers specific advantages over shotcrete, particularly when it comes to preventing water ingress: Superior structure to eliminate voids.

What are the two types of process in shotcrete?

Dry mix process and wet mix process are the two methods of shotcrete construction which are based on the time at which the water is added to the mortar or concrete mix. in Dry mix process, water is added at the nozzle, while water is added in the concrete or mortar mix in wet mix process.

What kind of concrete are pools made of?

The use of gunite or shotcrete is typically your pool builder's choice.

Is gunite concrete waterproof?

The sealing of the pool is accomplished by the application of a water resistant lining to the shotcrete or gunite surface usually immediately prior to filling the pool. This water resistant lining is typically a plaster made with Portland Cement and special aggregates.