How Long Does Gunite Take To Cure?

As the warm weather is quickly approaching, you might be considering adding a concrete pool to your backyard. If so, you must know how long it will take for gunite to cure. You need to know this because it can affect your swimming pool installation and your timeline for completion. But what is gunite, and how does it work? More importantly, how long does gunite take to cure?

Well, this blog provides answers to all your queries. So read on to find out!

What is gunite?

Gunite is a type of shotcrete that’s sprayed on the surface of an outdoor pool. It’s more common in commercial pools, but some homeowners use it as well. Typically, it’s a mixture of cement, water, and sand.

How long does it take to cure?

This mixture has to be cured for a specified amount of time before you can use the swimming pool. But how long does gunite take to cure?

The curing time will vary depending on the type of gunite, temperature, and humidity level.

For example, if it’s warmer than 70 degrees Fahrenheit outside, gunite will be cured in about four days. But if the weather is colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it could take up to two weeks to fully cure.

Curing time also depends on the thickness of the gunite layer. For example, if your gunite layer is thicker than 3 inches, it could take up to 12 or more hours to cure.

Though there are no hard rules, swimming pool experts agree that gunite pool should take 7-10 days to cure. This is about industry standards.

What are the benefits of gunite pool?

First, gunite pools are aesthetically pleasing, hence adding value to your home. Also, shotcrete pools provide endless pool design possibilities because you build them on-site. For example, they allow a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any landscape.

In addition, gunite pool is incredibly durable and doesn’t require a liner. Plus, the initial investment of gunite pools is lower than that of prefabricated fiberglass and vinyl pools.

Methods of curing gunite

There are two ways to cure gunite during pool construction: air curing and water curing.

Air curing is done by allowing the freshly applied gunite to dry at ambient conditions.

Water curing is done by spraying the freshly applied gunite with water and then drying it at ambient conditions before you can walk on or use it as desired.

Of the two curing methods, water curing is considered the most efficient in swimming pool construction. The pool contractor can use several techniques such as sprinkling, ponding, or wet coverings for this method.

FAQs

How long do gunite pools last?

The lifespan of gunite swimming pools depend on many factors, including how well it’s maintained and the location.

A well-maintained gunite pool that isn’t exposed to excessive heat or cold should last 100 years or more. That’s more than fiberglass pool and vinyl liner pools that typically last 25 and 12 years, respectively.

Conclusion

When building a shotcrete pool, it’s essential to know how long it takes gunite to cure so you can plan accordingly. Also, if not cured correctly, gunite could create small cracks or holes that will cost you more money on repairs.

But now that you’ve read this post, you can avoid all the problems and have a strong, durable concrete pool. Also, remember the 7-10 day industry-standard curing time for gunite pool construction might vary depending on the weather and climatic conditions.