Thick white stuff coming out of gunite shell

[Liz315]

So it has been snowing a lot and it just melted today and the shell of our gunite has white stuff coming out of walls of the shell everywhere but mostly at top and stairs.

I tried looking it up and is it calcium carbonate leaching in gunite shell? Efflorescence? Are they the same thing? Will it be ok? They are supposed to do the waterline tile and coping soon.
Thanks for any advice.
Liz

 

[Jimrahbe]

Liz,

I suspect the gunite guys added calcium to get the gunite to set up in low temps.. That said, let's see if we can get some of our other members to chime in.. Calling @jimmythegreek

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Liz315]

Is that normal and ok to add? Will it cause efflorescence after the final plaster is done or years later? Or is it normal and will be fine.

 

[jimmythegreek]

It all depends on what they added. I never use it because it's horrible in finished flatwork but I dont do much concrete that's seen these days. Ask the PB what his plan of attack is going forward. I suspect they will use a concrete etcher and proceed after cleaning it up

 

[Liz315]

Still waiting to hear back from the pool builder. Any other feedback or reassurance. My main concern is it will be an endless fight of efflorescence on plaster and waterline tile once the pool is complete. I’m hoping I’m over thinking it and it’s as simple as cleaning it up and it will be fine.

thanks,
Liz

 

[Liz315]

So in case anyone else has the same problem. My builder said it’s fine that it’s pretty much calcification due to the weather being very cold drawing things out of the gunite. Prior to plaster and tile they will clean it up and it won’t be an issue. He said it’s only an issue on final plaster if it occurs.

 

[JerseyMike37]

We have the same thing....also in NJ... our pool is taking forever but they are finally tiling today, good to hear your PB said it is fine.

 

[Liz315]

So he said it was fine but I do have tons of calcium coming through my waterline tile. They keep telling me that it will eventually stop. They cleaned up the stuff prior to the plaster but went right over it with the waterline tile on the top of the pool.

If I could go back I’d insist on having them take it off prior to tile, I believe they use muriantic acid.

 

[Liz315]

Here are photos of it coming through tile and grout.

Now I can’t say it wouldn’t have done it no matter what but it’s not coming through the plaster where they cleaned it prior to plastering.