#1 Inground Gunite Pool Contractors in PA!s

Why Gunite Is Better Than Shotcrete & Concrete - and Why We Use It Exclusively

All concrete that is pneumatically applied is shotcrete. But there are 2 different types of shotcrete:

Wet mix (typically called shotcrete) is delivered by traditional rotating drum concrete trucks and shot in place by a $5000 portable pump.

• Most local higher end pool builders stopped using wet mix years ago because of increased cracking. Since it goes on wet, there is much more likelihood of shrinkage.

• ASTM C94, "Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete," states time limits for the discharge of concrete. It states that discharge of the concrete shall be completed within 1-1/2 hours of when water was added (which happens at the concrete plant.) With an average 30 minute travel time to the job site, this only gives the builder 60 minutes to fully shoot an entire truck of concrete. That is virtually impossible. Wet mix shotcrete cannot be used on a pool and adhere to the ASTM standard. This can also contribute to the extra cracking.

Wet mix shotcrete contains extra stone in place of more expensive cement (which is why it is cheaper.)

Wet mix shotcrete pools can end up with "cold joints" because of delays between concrete truck arrival times.

The American Society of Concrete Contractors states that a waiver should be signed by the customer understanding that the discharge will be over 90 minutes and does NOT adhere to ASTM standards.

Dry mix shotcrete (typically called Gunite)is shot by a $200,000+ pump truck. To shoot gunite, it takes a sizeable investment as opposed to just a little pump. Because it is shot dry with water mixed in at the nozzle, you can get a much much stronger shell with more cement.

• The gunite process isn't prone to shrinkage cracks like wet mix.

• The gunite process doesn't have to be shot within 1 hour.

The gunite process doesn't get cold joints and potential crack spots.

The gunite process can net a psi up to 20% higher than wet mix!

Gunite is used on the space shuttle launch pad. When NASA used shotcrete, it melted and disintegrated (they've done it).

Any "worker with a $5,000 pump" can do shotcrete, but to do gunite, there is extensive equipment and expense. Big companies use gunite because of all the advantages and performance . Smaller companies (that try to be "jacks of all trades") typically use wet mix to save money.