I have what looks to be cracks appearing in my shotcrete which was shot yesterday. I'm pretty sure this was where the last batch came from the plant. It's this something I should be concerned about?
Cracks in new shotcrete
- Thread starter strategy400
- Start date
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,665
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I'm working on who to call in to help you, as I know little about it. But I'm with you, that can't be right. It's a symptom of something wrong with the mix or its application.
Can you provide a better photo? Perhaps some of the cracks up close? That might help an analysis. Also:
Where are you located?
Can you provide some climate info, like air temps during the shoot and since?
Can you provide a better photo? Perhaps some of the cracks up close? That might help an analysis. Also:
Where are you located?
Can you provide some climate info, like air temps during the shoot and since?
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,665
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Here's a thread that might be of interest, though it won't make you feel better...
www.troublefreepool.com
50+ cracks in day-old Shotcrete.
Greetings again TFP! My post today is filled with excitement and concern. I've done service and repair for pools for many, many years, and as of last week - the pool guy is finally getting a pool! I will concede, we are very good at servicing and repairing the systems of our several hundred...
www.troublefreepool.com
Yeah I saw that one. It was ~100 here in our arid California high desert when it was shot. Today 102 and about 50% humidity, some thunder clouds moving through but no rain. I'll try to get better pictures.Here's a thread that might be of interest, though it won't make you feel better...
50+ cracks in day-old Shotcrete.
Greetings again TFP! My post today is filled with excitement and concern. I've done service and repair for pools for many, many years, and as of last week - the pool guy is finally getting a pool! I will concede, we are very good at servicing and repairing the systems of our several hundred...
It's hard to see a crack because of the texture of the shotcrete. I only see it when the water is drying off the wall.
Have you been watering it? If not go set up the sprinkler and let her rip! We will look closer at your cracks in the morning.
Proper hydration for Shotcrete/Gunite requires the product stay completely hydrated for the first 7 days.
Surface cracks typically appear from shrinkage occurring too quickly but inferior product could also be a reason from numerous situations like, too much water being added to the mix at the job site, time from mixing plant to job site (Shotcrete), number of spins on the barrel before application (Shotcrete). All this information is on the load ticket (Shotcrete). From the pictures provided these cracks look like shrink cracks on the surface only and are very common.
Surface cracks typically appear from shrinkage occurring too quickly but inferior product could also be a reason from numerous situations like, too much water being added to the mix at the job site, time from mixing plant to job site (Shotcrete), number of spins on the barrel before application (Shotcrete). All this information is on the load ticket (Shotcrete). From the pictures provided these cracks look like shrink cracks on the surface only and are very common.
I've been watering the shotcrete periodically since it was completed. I was advised to wet it 2 or 3 times daily.
American Shotcrete Association has detailed requirements for proper hydration after application of product.
This is the information builders should be advising of to homeowners.
This is the information builders should be advising of to homeowners.
I'm hesitant to say anything on the internet but that I am following or exceeding the recommendation. But I sincerely value the opinions of the experts on this forum (that don't have a stake in the game, so to speak).
darkrider
Well-known member
- Jun 14, 2021
- 289
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
I don't think this is a watering issue, but rather something with the mix itself. Something definitely looks off... I've never seen the texture that rough for shotcrete before. It's hard to tell if they are actual cracks or just voids. Either way, they look pretty big from the pics. It looks like there are also some in the bench to the left. I would definitely get a 3rd party independent to look at it.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,665
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Again, knowing almost nothing about this topic, I do like the sound of an independent expert analysis confirming the shell's integrity, before it all gets covered up with plaster and water... I have no idea how much that might cost, but even an ironclad lifetime warranty on the shell is only as good as the contractor is in business. It's the lifespan of the business, not yours or the contractor's, that matters. Even if he is still in business, offering a warranty and honoring one are two different things, as replacing a shell is considerably more expensive than building a pool. And who's gunna replace 10 or 20 years worth of landscaping? Or other yard improvements? Just sayin', I wouldn't calculate a warranty into your decision about what to do about the cracks.
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