Help! tons of cracks in 2nd round of concrete! is it safe?

[lincolnc9]

Moved from here.
Hi Guys, can I get similar help with my question - my situation is a bit different; they shotcrete my pool and it came out awesome! no cracks/nothing. But it was discovered the next day when I walked IN the pool, that they got the shallow end wrong. So they needed to build up the shallow end by adding anywhere from 2" - 8". I asked if there was a problem by doing this, like prone to cracking or anything like that? they said no. So they came, added the correct height, and almost 4-5 hour after they left, tons of cracks have showed up. I dont know if this is OK? will this show up later when they do the plaster? is there anything I need to worry about here or insist that they do? like seal the cracks or anything? or is this normal and will just be fine?

Images are from day after.
(yes, I've been watering on schedule 3-5 times a day)

If the underlying gunite was solid and they just layered on some more without rebar then the cracks are to be expected and not a problem. That area is not structural. The structural support is the gunite and rebar below that layer.

If the underlying gunite was solid and they just layered on some more without rebar then the cracks are to be expected and not a problem. That area is not structural. The structural support is the gunite and rebar below that layer.

Thanks, Allen, for the reply. New question - so we had some heavy rain, and now I see 'dirty water' seeping thru the light holes and return holes? PB said its OK, not to worry, but wanted to see what you guys thought?

Thanks, Allen, for the reply. New question - so we had some heavy rain, and now I see 'dirty water' seeping thru the light holes and return holes? PB said its OK, not to worry, but wanted to see what you guys thought?

It is fine. The plaster will seal it up.

 

[lincolnc9]

Hi guys, Im having a pool built. They shot the shell and it came out perfect! Then they realized it was the wrong height, so they added to it 2 days later, about 4-6" of shotcrete. Now, the part they added has tons of cracks! builder says this is 'OK' and we will just plaster over it? is this correct? or should there be a repair that needs to take place first?

all images here:

POOL BUILD

22 new photos added to shared album

photos.app.goo.gl

but some attached as well.

I'll appreciate anybody chiming in and offering advice before I let them proceed.

 

[ajw22]

My guess is there is no rebar in the second layer of concrete. Those look like shrinkage cracks, not structral cracks. If the concrete layer below is solid then it should not be a problem.

@bdavis466 thoughts?

 

[lincolnc9]

My guess is there is no rebar in the second layer of concrete. Those look like shrinkage cracks, not structral cracks. If the concrete layer below is solid then it should not be a problem.

@bdavis466 thoughts?

Thanks for the quick reply. You guess correctly - there is no rebar in the 2nd layer. Yes, the first layer was perfect, I didnt find a single defect with it. Thank you again for your answer, it makes me feel better.

 

[lincolnc9]

Here is a pic of the first round, again, I didnt find a single crack with that one.

 

[bdavis466]

That shouldn't be an issue. I agree, those are shrinkage cracks

 

[lincolnc9]

That shouldn't be an issue. I agree, those are shrinkage cracks

Thanks, bdavis! Much appreciate taking the time to respond

 

[lincolnc9]

bdavis, aj2, new question.. they did the returns/plumbing.. we've had some consistent rain after that. now after it rains, these particular returns 'weep' ? if that is a good description.. water seeps out of them.. dirty water, like dirt water. the PB says, of course, dont worry, its normal.. the pool will be sealed with the gunite. But I want to make sure he is not cutting corners and this wont cause problems in the future? any feedback here would be appreciated. thanks again guys!

 

[bdavis466]

Very normal. Gunite isn't waterproof

 

[lincolnc9]

Very normal. Gunite isn't waterproof

Thanks for the reply bdavid. What raised a concern for me is that another PB from another co who is building a few houses down in the community came to ask for a 2" T, we got to talking, he looked over my progress and commented "I see dirt with that water. if it were me, I would cut that out and repack it. but this is why I sleep well at night" then he didnt want to say anything further about one of his competitors and went back to his job site... So he planted the seed.. and when you look at the other 6 in the pool, none of them are weeping.. so it concerned me enough to ask here.

 

[bdavis466]

There's no harm in doing what he suggested either. Tell your builder how you want it handled.

 

[lincolnc9]

There's no harm in doing what he suggested either. Tell your builder how you want it handled.

As always, thank you guys so much for the support and help in answering these questions!! You rock!