ASR - Concrete Cancer - Austin, TX
- Thread starter jftexan
- Start date
LOL, tell him I'll buy him breakfast in Vegas when I see him for the international show.
Can you share your attorney information? My pool is also attached to the home.
I was lucky and got advice for my local lawyer from a partner who specializes in insurance law and told my lawyer a couple things to do…unfortunately he would never take a “small” case like these…but what he did it helped get us in mediation in weeks not months. I’ve heard there 60+ cases and it all points to same shotcrete supplier.
Don Boltauzer
New member
- Oct 12, 2023
- 1
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Liquid Chlorine
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
This looks like a skim coat over the gunite.
I would pull off all of the loose skimcoat to get a good look at the actual gunite.
Note: This is just my opinion and not advice or recommendations.
Do not rely on any opinion I have.
Only you can determine what you want to do based on all of your own research and based on your own opinion.
You should consider getting a local qualified engineer to examine the structure in person so that they can do any necessary tests to diagnose the issue and to recommend possible solutions.
I would pull off all of the loose skimcoat to get a good look at the actual gunite.
Note: This is just my opinion and not advice or recommendations.
Do not rely on any opinion I have.
Only you can determine what you want to do based on all of your own research and based on your own opinion.
You should consider getting a local qualified engineer to examine the structure in person so that they can do any necessary tests to diagnose the issue and to recommend possible solutions.
The gunite is covered on the inside with plaster and on the outside with some sort of plaster, stucco or skimcoat.
So, you cannot see the actual gunite.
Until the coatings are removed, you really cannot examine the gunite properly.
In my opinion, you need to see at least several large sections of gunite from both sides to see if the gunite is cracked or if the cracking is only in the plaster coatings.
You probably also need to have an engineer do core samples and test the samples in a qualified lab.
Note: This is just my opinion and not advice or recommendations.
Do not rely on any opinion I have.
So, you cannot see the actual gunite.
Until the coatings are removed, you really cannot examine the gunite properly.
In my opinion, you need to see at least several large sections of gunite from both sides to see if the gunite is cracked or if the cracking is only in the plaster coatings.
You probably also need to have an engineer do core samples and test the samples in a qualified lab.
Note: This is just my opinion and not advice or recommendations.
Do not rely on any opinion I have.
Just finished my rebuild after discovering ASR three years ago. Was a complete nightmare the whole time.
Now, happy with the new build and was able to make a couple adjustments I should have done on first pool.
So nice to have my backyard back. Hopefully those of you with this issue get it resolved as well.
Now, happy with the new build and was able to make a couple adjustments I should have done on first pool.
So nice to have my backyard back. Hopefully those of you with this issue get it resolved as well.
Beautiful pool. Congrats! What precautions did you take the second time around to mitigate ASR?
I just found out I have ASR, EZ Mix did my shotcrete. My builder is helping me file a claim, but I'd be interested in learning from your experience if you're willing to chat.
Hello, what is the status regarding your pool? I live in Leander and our pool was built by Denali in 2021 (gunite shot in December 2020). We have countless cracks in the tile, Plaster, sides of the pool, stone, and leaks everywhere. Don’t even know where to begin. I’ve actually been documenting the beginning of this starting years ago and asking Denali to come look at it countless times, and every time they have come they’ve told me it’s just settling, something called, weeping walls, and other random excuses to push me out of the warranty timeframe.
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Hi in Leander and having same issues on 3 year pool! Did you find help and if so please share who to contact?! Thx!
ASR is a real problem in Austin, Tx with 100's of cases on record now. ASR is a reaction between 1) the alkalinity in the cement paste, 2) reactive aggregate (with lots of SiO2 - like the chert rock that is abundant around here) and 3) moisture that forms an expansive gel inside the concrete matrix - it cracks the concrete from the inside out. Gunite (sand and cemnt) is much less likely to get ASR than shotcrete (sand, cement and pebbles). Fly ash (Type F) is the most common additive to counteract ASR. ASR is a by product of coal fired electric generation. It became in short supply around 2015-2016 when generation went to natural gas, wind and solar. ASR typically takes about 3-4 years to show up, so if you have a pool crack a year or two after construction , it is likely something other than ASR. THe most common exhibition of ASR is what is called map cracking or alligator skin cracking over large portions of the surface. If the cracking is limited to the top of steps and benches (or tan shelves) it could be due the use of rebound, which is supposed to be discarded. THere could also be issues with the amount (or lack) of reinforcing and the position of the reinforcing. The only way to fully determine ASR presence is through coring and testing ... and the process is not cheap. The only engineering testing firm that performs petrographic testing in Austin is WJE Engineers.
Thank you. We used gunite and not shotcrete as the poster above stated it’s much less likely to get ASR…also had my engineers review the whole process.
We have used Denali 2 times now. Once in Leander and now in Lago . Our pool in Leander never had an issues . We just finished our pool in Lago last August and we have cracks on the outside of the walls. I’m really hoping it’s not ASR ! I sent photos to Denali today ! They are going to look at it for me. They use gunite and not shot Crete so I’m crossing my fingers
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I am in Pflugerville and had a pool installed by Denali in August 2021. Everything has been fine so far. I noticed this year a crack in the coping and stairs. Its a single line hairline crack, no spider cracks at this point. They used gunite on my pool. I am hoping its just settling cracks, but I am concerned a 3 year old pool is showing cracks already. Either way, I need to get them sealed. Pools are maintenance, I get that, but I sure hope its not something bigger (ASR).
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FYI, with a lot of research, I found the solution to ASR. 