Floor slab question

[Hebsmith]

Here is a pic of our slab poured today.

The pool builder explained, they miscalculated amount of cement and opted to keep rest of slab thicker rather than stretch to end of pool. And, not to worry about seam/cold break because they will complete it with gunite when they shoot the walls next week. Should I be concerned?

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! This is a question for one of our plaster experts @bdavis466. Hang tight please, and thanks for posting to TFP.

 

[bdavis466]

There usually isn't an issue as long as the new gunite is applied within 7 days. Applying a bonding agent wouldn't be a bad idea either

 

[Hebsmith]

Thanks for your reply. When you make a $50k ’investment’, the phrase ”usually isn’t and issue” loses some of its comfort. Would It be reasonable to interpret this as ‘there is an increased probability of failure resulting in seepage and cracking of the floor slab v. one that was continuously poured?’

 

[bdavis466]

A monolithic pour is always better but not always possible. Gunite bonds to itself very well, so much so that if the second pass is applied in less than a few days, a cold joint can't be found even through deconstruction.

The existing edge of the gunite should be very rough, slightly angled and watered very well prior to the next pass.

If your crew knows what they're doing there will be no issue.

 

[Hebsmith]

A monolithic pour is always better but not always possible. Gunite bonds to itself very well, so much so that if the second pass is applied in less than a few days, a cold joint can't be found even through deconstruction.

The existing edge of the gunite should be very rough, slightly angled and watered very well prior to the next pass.

If your crew knows what they're doing there will be no issue.

 

[Hebsmith]

Well. The first pass is poured concrete, not gunite. Does that make a difference in bonding? Is this a common building method, with floor slab poured and walls of gunite?

 

[bdavis466]

Well. The first pass is poured concrete, not gunite. Does that make a difference in bonding? Is this a common building method, with floor slab poured and walls of gunite?

Not for residential pools. What was their explanation?

Was this pool engineered? Permitted? It's odd that the wall to floor transition is a right angle

 

[Hebsmith]

It is permitted. The drawings required by county consist of a rendering with top view showing dimensions, depth and placement in yard relative to setbacks. Nothing with construction detail.

 

[Hebsmith]

Ok. Now I’m getting worked up. Been away for a week and coming home to this. Here’s a pic of the slab at shallow end. So. wouldn’t the footprints and deep pockets mean this will be filled with plaster? Shouldn’t it be smooth uniform depth? And, I just measured depth and they dug the pool to 3 1/2’ ft at top of forms rather than 3 1/2‘ to water line. Aren’t there licensing standards that builders need to maintain?

 

[bdavis466]

The footsteps aren't a problem. The plaster will smooth all that out.

The rebar placement is questionable especially at the floor to wall transition. It also looks too close to the ground below.

I dont understand pouring the floor and shooting the walls. This is really only done on extremely large commercial pools and requires a great deal of skill and attention to detail.

If it were my pool I'd gladly pay for an evaluation by a structural engineer especially since it sounds like there is no engineering.

A contractor's license doesn't mean quality work, that's more up to the person and the inspectors that keep them accountable. Pools are one of the least restrictive structures since there is relatively no liability for the cities / counties. All they really care about our setbacks and proper barriers to prevent drownings. It may be the same Where You are but out on the West Coast anyone with a landscaping license can build a swimming pool