Gunite is a dry concrete blend that is sprayed through a power gun. The gunite pool construction process yields smooth interior pool walls and flooring. Learn how this type of pool construction can provide you with a custom water feature that is more durable than a concrete pool that uses forms during the concrete application process.

Concrete Forms And Shotcrete

Concrete is made up of a blend of sand, cement, and water. An aggregate blend is usually added to a concrete mixture. The blend provides concrete with its texture. Concrete forms are often used to install sections of concrete. The use of forms results in a visible seam between each section where concrete is poured. Due to the hardening stage that concrete undergoes, wet concrete will need to be poured within a set amount of time.

A wet mixture of concrete can be sprayed through a power gun. All of the components necessary to apply concrete to a pool's interior are typically preblended at the facility where the mixture is manufactured. A wet blend of concrete that will be dispensed with a power gun is referred to as shotcrete. Similar to a standard concrete pouring application, shotcrete will need to be applied within a definitive timeframe.

Materials For Applying Gunite

• dry gunite blend
• hopper
• power gun
• nozzle
• water source
• skimmer

Gunite Application Basics

Gunite remains dry until it is applied. Due to the omission of water during the preparation of gunite, gunite won't be at risk of drying and can be applied in stages. This provides a pool contractor with control over how long the construction of a pool will take. All of the excavation steps that are essential for the construction of a pool will be performed onsite. Afterward, a gun and a nozzle will be attached to the hopper that contains a gunite blend.

The nozzleman will connect a water source to the spray equipment. A nozzleman will take orders from the head contractor. They will gauge how much water will need to be added to the gunite blend. As the force of the water is applied to the dry mixture, a stream of wet concrete will be emitted from the nozzle.

The blend of concrete will be built up, by spraying layer after layer of gunite onto the pool's interior. Gunite is more durable than concrete that is poured in sections. Rebar will typically rest behind the area where concrete is applied. A skimmer may be used to smooth wet concrete surfaces that contain air bubbles and other inconsistencies.

If you're interested in an inground gunite pool, talk to a pool contractor in your area.