Gunite pools use a rebar framework that is sprayed over with a concrete and sand mixture. Gunite is exceedingly durable, so swimming pools made of this substance are built to last. The versatility of gunite swimming pools means more than the ability to create an unlimited array of shapes.
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.
On average, gunite swimming pools last 7 to 10 years before they need to be resurfaced. When that time comes, it's important to know what options are available so that you can pick the best choice for your backyard space.
Unlike fiberglass pools, gunite pools can be made on-site which allows for more flexibility and is easier to install. Gunite pools are incredibly durable and do not require a liner. This allows the pool to look better and retain its shape over time.
Durability. 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.
While Marcite plaster is the least expensive of the gunite pool surfaces, it does have its disadvantages. The surface can start to show visible chipping or etching after 5 to 7 years. They will also start to stain, and inhibit algae due to its porous surface and is the least durable in the plaster pool family.
Gunite and shortcrete are essentially the same material, but they are applied with different processes. Gunite is the popular trade term for dry-gun concrete, while shotcrete is the common term for wet-gun concrete.
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.
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.
Things You'll Need
Gunite swimming pools can be particularly susceptible to surface staining and damage. A professional refinishing and painting process can go a long way in preventing these issues from becoming severe and unsightly.
Only pools constructed of plaster, exposed aggregate, or concrete are strong enough to withstand the power of a pressure washer. Any other type of pool, such as vinyl or fiberglass, must be cleaned using chemical treatments or using non-abrasive methods.
Gunite is generally a less expensive process than shotcrete and concrete pouring, with most of the same advantages as shotcrete.
The other major difference is time. A gunite pool on average takes two to four months to build because the concrete needs time to completely cure, or dry before you can finish the pool and fill it with water. A vinyl liner pool, on the other hand, can be completed in just two to three weeks.
Fiberglass is a smooth, nonporous surface so algae won't stick to the walls. Gunite walls, typically made of porous materials, can be a breeding ground for algae. ... This means, you don't have to scrub the walls as you would with a gunite pool, making it easier to maintain.
An overly salted pool will generally not be a major problem (aside from salty-tasting water), but at levels over 6000 ppm there may be corrosion damage to some of the metallic equipment.
Gunite Pool Colors, Plaster Finish Colors
If you're getting ready to install a pool in your yard, you can change the color of the water with the gunite finish.
One of the most important steps in gunite or concrete swimming pool construction is selecting the right type of waterproofing. Concrete is a porous substrate prone to water penetration; therefore, it has to be sealed to keep water in the pool, in addition to keeping ground water out, which is often forgotten.
The crew trowels the gunite smooth and lets it sit for a week or two before applying a smooth finish to the rough surface. The most popular finish is called plaster (actually a mixture of cement and marble sand), but a lot of people finish their pools with special concrete paint or pebble surfaces.
No! A gunite pool indicates the underlying STRUCTURE. Plaster is the final FINISH on top of the gunite structure. All inground gunite pools have the same structure (gunite or dry shotcrete – synonymous terms).
For gunite, water is added to the dry concrete mix at the gun-shaped nozzle opening (hence the name “gunite”). The concrete is made in the air right before hitting its target. Shotcrete is different in that it is trucked to your property wet in a cement truck.
Generally, the pool walls need to be between three and four inches thick. Smooth the pool walls with your trowel, as you did for the base. Now the concrete has to cure properly before you can fill it with water.
Concrete, when applied using the shotcrete process, or cast-in-place, needs to cure for 7 days. Water is the best curing method (7 continuous days).