Our Gunite Looks Terrible…HELP!

[Btimm]

Hi all.
We had our Gunite shot yesterday and it looks really rough. I’ve seen other’s pictures at this point of their builds and our pool just looks bad in comparison. My husband spoke to the builder and he agreed it looks rough but that the plaster process should smooth things out. My question is, how worried should I be with it looking like this? Is it as bad as I’m thinking?? Thank you for any advice.

 

[JamesW]

It looks mostly ok.

Plaster will probably make it look good.

 

[Btimm]

It looks mostly ok.

Plaster will probably make it look good.

Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Well … you didn’t get their varsity team doing the shoot, that’s for sure. But otherwise, looks aren’t important for gunite. What’s important is that the rebar and plumbing was properly done and that the cement mix used was correctly spec’d and delivered on time. The plaster crew is going to be the ones that do all the final detail work and the plaster is thick enough to smooth out all that roughness. But, in reality, the rougher surface is actually better for plaster adhesion than a smooth surface. So as long as the plaster crew is competent, your pool should look great when it’s done.

 

[SecoSteve]

I'm sure before plaster they will remove any loose gunite.

Looking at your picture, I don't see any deep end swim out exit. Is there one hidden to the left? Not sure if it's required(I think it is, though), but I love having one in our deep end.

 

[Btimm]

Well … you didn’t get their varsity team doing the shoot, that’s for sure. But otherwise, looks aren’t important for gunite. What’s important is that the rebar and plumbing was properly done and that the cement mix used was correctly spec’d and delivered on time. The plaster crew is going to be the ones that do all the final detail work and the plaster is thick enough to smooth out all that roughness. But, in reality, the rougher surface is actually better for plaster adhesion than a smooth surface. So as long as the plaster crew is competent, your pool should look great when it’s done.

I didn’t know the rougher surface is better for the plaster to adhere, that’s good to know and makes me feel better. Thank you so much for your input, it’s just too easy to freak out during this process.

 

[Btimm]

I was wondering if there was a process before they plaster where they can clean up a little. And we decided to do just a small bench in the deep end that you can’t see in this picture, but it was surprisingly not required to have it, or a swim out.

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

I have a bench/swim-out in my pool, and in the past 11 years, we have never used it.. A lot depends on how you will be using the pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dirk]

I had my plaster replaced. They chipped out the old plaster with jackhammers. This is what it looked like right before the new plaster went in. I'd say you're OK!

 

[JamesW]

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[Btimm]

I'm sure before plaster they will remove any loose gunite.

Looking at your picture, I don't see any deep end swim out exit. Is there one hidden to the left? Not sure if it's required(I think it is, though), but I love having one in our deep end.

I had my plaster replaced. They chipped out the old plaster with jackhammers. This is what it looked like right before the new plaster went in. I'd say you're OK!

View attachment 629839

Thank you!

 

[.ben]

I assume they would remove any loose gunite prior to plaster. Personally, I am not against removing some of the debris myself even though it's not my responsibility. No one will care more about your pool than you.


If you have not started watering, now is the time to start.

Watering New Gunite and Concrete - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

All loose Shotcrete should be removed and the shell should be power washed prior to plaster application.

 

[Btimm]

All loose Shotcrete should be removed and the shell should be power washed prior to plaster application.View attachment 629907

Thank you! Our builder came out today and explained they would be cleaning it up prior to the plaster application. They have been great so far through the process!

 

[sktn77a]

the shell should be power washed prior to plaster application.

Wow, I didn't know that - and I've never seen anybody do it either!

 

[Btimm]

Well … you didn’t get their varsity team doing the shoot, that’s for sure. But otherwise, looks aren’t important for gunite. What’s important is that the rebar and plumbing was properly done and that the cement mix used was correctly spec’d and delivered on time. The plaster crew is going to be the ones that do all the final detail work and the plaster is thick enough to smooth out all that roughness. But, in reality, the rougher surface is actually better for plaster adhesion than a smooth surface. So as long as the plaster crew is competent, your pool should look great when it’s done.

So the owner of the concrete company and our PB came out. He has a crew here to drill out certain spot that he agreed looked too rough for just plaster to fix because the amount it would require. They’re going to drill these areas and then add a mix of a strong concrete (apparently they use for things like bridge repairs?). He said the shell is structurally sound but wanted these spots fixed due to how much plaster would be required to make it smooth/nice. Does this sound right? Ugh. This is stressful

 

[Dirk]

I know close to nothing about gunite shells, and I sure don't want to add to your stress. But based on what I saw them do in my pool, I'd be curious to know why they would be drilling and reapplying concrete to fix "too rough." You saw my pic, and plaster covered all that moonscape. I wonder if they found something other than roughness, but didn't want to tell you what. On the other hand, maybe they're just skimming the surface with a patch of new concrete and the drilling is just to better hold the patch in place.

I guess it comes down to: you either trust these guys or you don't. But I'm not sure it would hurt to ask for more details about what they are doing and why. Just a casual "Just curious, why do you have to drill?" shouldn't put him off.

On the plus side, they were willing to address your concern and fix it, so that's a good sign.

 

[Newdude]

I wonder if they found something other than roughness

I'm guessing high spots that would require too much material everywhere else. They don't want to waste time carefully shaving the shell so they're going in 'guns blazing' and will fill the soon to be low spots / holes with hydraulic cement or such.

But I also don't know zip about any of this, so.

 

[sktn77a]

He said the shell is structurally sound but wanted these spots fixed due to how much plaster would be required to make it smooth/nice. Does this sound right?

Yes, that sounds right to me.