Adding a 2-3” layer of Gunite to widen a bench that was poured a few days ago?

[Drivel111]

2 questions. I’m in the process of a build. The builder created a Baja shelf in the shallow end, and 2 separate benches in the deep end.

When I got home from work the day they poured the new Baja and benches, I noticed the Baja had a sort of funky curve line to it that we didn’t talk about in the design. I asked the pool builder if he could add more gunite to straighten it out a bit and he said sure not a problem. So the next day his guy came out and added probably 3 inches of gunite to smooth out the arc. I asked if it would be a problem in the future as far as the new 3” not adhering properly or cracking and causing an issue down the line, but he said it’s fine.

Now that I’m looking at the benches in the deep end, I feel they should be about 2-3 inches deeper (so when you are sitting on the bench the seat extends out and allows for more of your legs to be on the bench, instead of feeling like it’s too thin to sit on). I haven’t asked the pool builder his thoughts on that yet.

So my question is, will the new gunite that was patched onto the Baja shelf be ok in the long run? It was such a thin amount that rebar was not used.
And similarly, if I added more inches to the depth of the benches, would that be an issue down the line with regards to cracking, breaking, etc.?

 

[Bperry]

2 questions. I’m in the process of a build. The builder created a Baja shelf in the shallow end, and 2 separate benches in the deep end.

When I got home from work the day they poured the new Baja and benches, I noticed the Baja had a sort of funky curve line to it that we didn’t talk about in the design. I asked the pool builder if he could add more gunite to straighten it out a bit and he said sure not a problem. So the next day his guy came out and added probably 3 inches of gunite to smooth out the arc. I asked if it would be a problem in the future as far as the new 3” not adhering properly or cracking and causing an issue down the line, but he said it’s fine.

Now that I’m looking at the benches in the deep end, I feel they should be about 2-3 inches deeper (so when you are sitting on the bench the seat extends out and allows for more of your legs to be on the bench, instead of feeling like it’s too thin to sit on). I haven’t asked the pool builder his thoughts on that yet.

So my question is, will the new gunite that was patched onto the Baja shelf be ok in the long run? It was such a thin amount that rebar was not used.
And similarly, if I added more inches to the depth of the benches, would that be an issue down the line with regards to cracking, breaking, etc.?

Got any pictures or measurements? Remember that sitting in water is a lot different than outside water in that your body is lighter. My family pool had a bench in the deep end that was about 12” deep and I never remember feeling like it was “wrong” even though it’s like sitting on a bleacher.

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome to TFP! Share some pics of what you are working with and we can go from there. Can you get onto the benches in the deep end to sit on them to see how it feels?

 

[Drivel111]

Got any pictures or measurements? Remember that sitting in water is a lot different than outside water in that your body is lighter. My family pool had a bench in the deep end that was about 12” deep and I never remember feeling like it was “wrong” even though it’s like sitting on a bleacher.

Here is a before and after of the Baja shelf. In the blue circle is where the little arc was that I had him fill in. Different angle on the after pic, but basically he filled in the little 2-3” gap.

 

[Drivel111]

The bench in the deep end is about 12” deep from where the water line to the seat is. The actual seat depth from the wall to where your knees hang off is about 17” in the middle of the bench seat, but it varies to about 14-15” on the edges. I sat in a few different spots. In the middle (17”)it felt fine, but almost like a couple more inches would be better. Especially because the coping isn’t installed yet and I’m assuming it will have a 1” overhang at least? Sitting more on the edges felt a little thin too, and would be even more so when the coping is in for sure. So it’s something I could live with, but wondering if he were to add another layer of 2-3” of concrete/gunite if it would not bond well over time or if it would be strong enough? If it’s a possibility that it would be a headache and lead to problems down the road after the PB is long gone, then I just assume live with it and not mess it up. But now that he has already added the 2-3” on the Baja area, I worry it may fail down the line. So just looking for some guidance/reassurance that it will be fine, or if I should get ahead of it now and ask to mitigate it somehow. Here is a pic of the bench in the deep end.
Thanks!!

 

[Bperry]

The bench in the deep end is about 12” deep from where the water line to the seat is. The actual seat depth from the wall to where your knees hang off is about 17” in the middle of the bench seat, but it varies to about 14-15” on the edges. I sat in a few different spots. In the middle (17”)it felt fine, but almost like a couple more inches would be better. Especially because the coping isn’t installed yet and I’m assuming it will have a 1” overhang at least? Sitting more on the edges felt a little thin too, and would be even more so when the coping is in for sure. So it’s something I could live with, but wondering if he were to add another layer of 2-3” of concrete/gunite if it would not bond well over time or if it would be strong enough? If it’s a possibility that it would be a headache and lead to problems down the road after the PB is long gone, then I just assume live with it and not mess it up. But now that he has already added the 2-3” on the Baja area, I worry it may fail down the line. So just looking for some guidance/reassurance that it will be fine, or if I should get ahead of it now and ask to mitigate it somehow. Here is a pic of the bench in the deep end.
Thanks!!

What kind of decking/coping is in the plans? My coping is essentially flush with the tile/plaster. Maybe 1/2” over.

 

[Drivel111]

What kind of decking/coping is in the plans? My coping is essentially flush with the tile/plaster. Maybe 1/2” over.

It’s a company called Bellecrete. It’s precast. We are going with a modern squared off edge. Not sure how much overhang if any it calls for. Oh and the decking is pavers from belgard

 

[Drivel111]

Hi and welcome to TFP! Share some pics of what you are working with and we can go from there. Can you get onto the benches in the deep end to sit on them to see how it feels?

I sat on them and In the middle it felt ok, but wonder if a couple extra inches would feel better, especially once coping is installed. Toward the ends of the benches it gets more narrow and it was fine, I could live with it, but would be better a little wider. The ends were around 14”, the middle was about 17”. I posted a couple pics below. But basically if it’s going to potentially cause issues with cracking or breaking down the line I’ll keep it, but if it’s fine structurally to add a couple inches I think I would prefer it. Is that doable or risky?

 

[kimkats]

I know what I THINKG but will ping someone who does pools for a living and see what he has to say @AQUA~HOLICS any thoughts on them adding more to the bench? Will the plaster hold it on good enough?

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Trying to understand exactly what was done to build out the 3”. You stated that his guy came out and added 3” of Gunite, if that’s correct then it should be fine as long as the substrate was cleaned of any loose material prior to the application process.
My question is did a Gunite rig come back out to the job site and pneumatically apply the Gunite or was this mixture made in a bucket and hand applied? These are two completely different situations.
Hydraulic cement is used for smaller applications (fill voids in the field/ TBB).
Your concern of failure is justified, I can see failure occurring the same as using rebound in the Gunite process, you see lots of failures in steps and seats due to rebound being used.
The prep work done prior to the 3” being added will determine its outcome.

 

[Drivel111]

Trying to understand exactly what was done to build out the 3”. You stated that his guy came out and added 3” of Gunite, if that’s correct then it should be fine as long as the substrate was cleaned of any loose material prior to the application process.
My question is did a Gunite rig come back out to the job site and pneumatically apply the Gunite or was this mixture made in a bucket and hand applied? These are two completely different situations.
Hydraulic cement is used for smaller applications (fill voids in the field/ TBB).
Your concern of failure is justified, I can see failure occurring the same as using rebound in the Gunite process, you see lots of failures in steps and seats due to rebound being used.
The prep work done prior to the 3” being added will determine its outcome.

Thanks for your reply. I was not home when they did the build of the Baja shelf and benches. I didn’t see a rig pull up when they showed up in the morning to start. I do know they filled the Baja area with concrete rubble that was demo’d from my concrete deck, prior to adding the Gunite/concrete. Hope that is kosher? I’m assuming it was all hand poured. Perhaps Gunite is the wrong term? The PB keeps saying Gunite but he is from Israel and his English is good but perhaps there is some translation issues there. And certainly for the patch, I highly doubt any kind of rig was brought in, I think they just hand mixed.

All that being said, my concern for failure is justified in the sense that even if the prep work was done properly, etc. it could still fail?

Would you say it’s likely to fail or unlikely, but possible?

Lastly, if it were you, would you just advise to leave it, or would you say adding the 3” to the bench would be ok?

Thanks so much

Edit: took out part about them adding concrete rubble to the bench areas in the deep end, bc I’m not positive they did it there, only for sure know they added the rubble in the Baja area

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Adding broken concrete as a base to fill a void is common practice.
Appears to be a hydraulic cement mix and not a pneumatic application of Gunite.
I can’t comment on it’s possibilities of failure with out seeing the complete process that was used to get to the finished product of today.
Adding 3” to the bench vertically is possibly adding future failure to the wall that it hangs on.

 

[Drivel111]

Adding broken concrete as a base to fill a void is common practice.
Appears to be a hydraulic cement mix and not a pneumatic application of Gunite.
I can’t comment on it’s possibilities of failure with out seeing the complete process that was used to get to the finished product of today.
Adding 3” to the bench vertically is possibly adding future failure to the wall that it hangs on.

Ok good to know. Will probably just leave it as is. Thanks so much for the feedback.