Gunite swimming pools are constructed by spraying a mixture of sand, water and cement onto a rebar frame. Since gunite is porous, a layer of pool plaster or other finish then has to be applied on top to act as a water barrier.
If pool plaster isn’t applied properly water can seep through even microscopic capillaries, causing damage. And as gunite pools age, even properly applied plaster will require repairs to address issues such as hollowing, egg-shelling or delamination. Gunite pools can also develop major structural cracks, usually due to shifting ground or the freezing and thawing of water that has managed to permeate the capillaries in gunite.
The type and extent of the damage — as well as the type of repair products chosen — will determine whether or not the pool has to be drained in order to make the repairs.
How do you patch a gunite pool?
You can repair a gunite pool leak in several ways, and it can be done under water or after draining the pool. You can use sealants, adhesives, crack repair staples or polyurethane foam.
The product and method you would use depend on the answers to the following questions:
- How extensive are the cracks?
- How much water loss is occurring?
- Have the leaking areas been identified?
Repairing a gunite pool with water in it
Underwater gunite pool repair products allow you to mix, apply and cure underwater. There is no need to drain the pool!
For example, the AquaFlex Underwater Sealant can be applied to wide surface areas, whether on pool floors or side walls, and delivers a strong, flexible, invisible, waterproof seal down to 1/5000 thickness. It is available in your choice of clear or white color, making it ideal for underwater sealing of pool plaster or other gunite finishes where color matching would normally be necessary. It is applied using our patent-pending polyethylene film application process.
The AquaBond Underwater Repair Adhesive, on the other hand, is a high-strength, professional, two-part epoxy adhesive designed to make long-lasting underwater repairs. A super versatile, underwater “glue” that provides long-lasting results, it’s available in off-white or gray and delivers a clean, paintable finish — making it ideal for patching and repairing gunite cracks in areas that are visible.
Gunite pool repair products for dry application conditions
There are several ways to repair gunite in pools that do not contain water.
Repairing leaking cracks and joints in pools and spas
One way to repair gunite pool cracks and joints in dry application condition is to use staple/stitch products.
The AquaStitch Stress Proof Stitch is a heavy-duty, 12″ L-Shaped staple that mounts into two holes in the concrete. One end is anchored with a 3/8″ x 2 3/4″ expanding anchor and the other is anchored by AquaBond AE-2200-250 Anchoring Epoxy. The entire stitch is embedded in the epoxy, as well. Custom engineered from a robust, Stress Proof® steel product, these incredibly strong staples are 3-times stronger than #3 rebar!
S-Stitch is a versatile concrete crack repair staple/stitch product. Strong but lightweight, and only 1/4″ in diameter, S-Stitches can be installed in a much shallower channel – as shallow as 1/2″ and only a half-inch wide. This patent-pending system allows for lay-flat installations, criss-crossing (for super-strength repairs), and also more typical stitch installations using AquaBond’s cleverly engineered Adapter Plates and Bridges. Unlike other stitch/staple systems S-Stitch is perfect for repairing inside and outside corners of any radius.
AquaBond Polyurethane Foam Crack Injection Kit provides permanent pool crack repair for leaking cracks and joints in concrete, gunite and shotcrete swimming pools and spas. The polyurethane foam in this low-pressure injection kit expands to 25 times its original volume and seeps into every crack and fissure – plugging the entire thickness of the concrete.
Repairing structural leaks and tiles in pools and spas
AquaBond Structural Repair Adhesive is one of the strongest and fastest repair compounds available for structural leaks and tile repair, whether the repair is occurring on a vertical or horizontal surface. Because it hardens in 5 minutes and is a non-sag adhesive, it makes for quick and easy gunite pool repairs.
For plaster & grout repair
AquaBond enthusiastically recommends E-Z Patch® products for all of your plaster and grout repair needs.
AquaBond Gunite Pool Repair Products
AquaBond offers professional gunite pool repair products ideal for gunite pool leak repairs, gunite pool crack repairs and pool plaster repair – underwater or above! Choose from sealant kits, epoxy adhesive kits, crack injection kits and pool repair staples kits… all specially designed to fix leaks and cracks in gunite, concrete and shotcrete swimming pools and spas.
For technical questions, please call us at 714-961-1420 Ext 1.