A well-maintained concrete pool should last around 50 years or more. And a well constructed in-ground concrete swimming pool should last a lifetime. But, a pool's liner or finish won't last long. And thus, an in-ground concrete pool will need to be resurfaced every 10 to 15 years.
Concrete pools are worth it if you are looking for an inground pool that is highly customizable and will basically last your entire lifetime as long as it's properly taken care of.
There is considerably more maintenance required for a concrete pool than a fiberglass pool. Weekly cleaning and scrubbing are required as well as the regular rebalancing of chemicals. Concrete pools require a complete resurfacing every 10–15 years to maintain their surface and keep moisture out.
Concrete pool cracks can have various causes. For example, ground movements can create pressure and tension on the concrete shell. To relieve these stresses, concrete can crack. Insufficient soil compaction during pool installation can often lead to soil movement, as do repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Because everything moves with the changing of the seasons, it's important that the ground it's installed on has unified movement. This will stop your from being pulled in two different directions.
In addition, during hot weather, a gunite or shotcrete pool should be half filled with water, and make use of sprinklers, foggers, misters or a spray nozzle to keep surfaces wet. Burlap or plastic can also be used to keep the concrete shell from drying out too rapidly during curing.
Yes, it is safe to put salt in a concrete pool, there is just more to watch with concrete pools than with other pool types. If you don't have anything in between your water and your concrete, your concrete can erode faster, but it does not affect the quality of the water or your health.
The type and size of pool you have
The first consideration to think of here is the material your pool is made from. Concrete pools generally need more effective pool heating systems, as concrete is a naturally cold material which is not particularly efficient at retaining heat.
Many swimmers and children find the rough bottom in a gunite pool to be very abrasive and uncomfortable. It is not uncommon to scrape and or irritate your feet if the swimmer is in the pool for long periods of time and sitting on the pools steps or benches will certainly snag a swim suit.
Additionally, a lack of water means there's a lack of moisture on the pool walls. If left exposed to long periods under the hot sun, pool finishes will dry out, creating cracks and flaking.
Special Care for Concrete Pools
Besides maintaining a constant balance of chemicals in your water, you will need to keep the concrete itself clean. The best way to do that is by simply brushing the walls. You can use a hard bristled brush attached to a telescopic pole to brush the walls and floor of your pool.
Since concrete is a more organic material, it has more variation in its surface texture. This requires more intensive cleaning as well as resurfacing or acid washing every few years to prevent the growth of algae and bacteria.
Advantages of Using Concrete for your In-ground Pool
Using regular concrete for your in-ground pool has its advantages. They include: Concrete is pre-mixed, so there are no real concerns about finding the right ratio of materials. It forms a strong coating.
The use of gunite or shotcrete is typically your pool builder's choice.
Pool heaters have the potential to be an incredibly worthwhile investment if a family wants to utilize its new pool year 'round, or even just well into school starting in the fall. These heaters have state of the art technology that allow for comfortable swimming temperatures, even in sweater weather.
Pools that are not covered can lose 4 degrees F to 5 degrees F overnight in most parts of the country. With a cover, you can reduce that heat loss by 50% or more. So without a heater you should be able to use your pool in the afternoons and early evenings in the warmest part of the season.
Gunite pools have been around since the '60s and are the most durable pool finish due to being made from concrete. The pool's structure consists of a steel rebar frame coated with a mix of cement, white sand or marble aggregate, and water.
In conclusion: what is the best type of swimming pool? We firmly believe that the Leisure Pools composite fiberglass swimming pool is the best available swimming pool structure for 95% of customer requirements. We urge people on a budget to look at fiberglass before above ground and vinyl liner pools.
The answer is yes, salt does indirectly damage your concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks. Bumps and potholes don't just appear due to regular wear and tear – salt damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discolored, cracked and crumbling concrete.
Cracks in concrete pool decks are common, however they may be a warning sign of deck problems or leaks. It's estimated that 1 in 20 pools or spas leak.
As we stated earlier, concrete comes ready mixed. With gunite, on the other hand, a dry mix is fired through a hose with the water being added at the point of delivery. Unlike concrete, when building gunite pools, you can stop and start without any problems, which will help give a smoother finish.
A poorly built Gunite pool certainly has the potential to crack. 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.