Why we don't build gunite pools!
(See for yourself!)
We have been in business for over 30 years and have learned along the way
what are the best options for our area. Here are some reasons why not to get a gunite pool.
Gunite, Marcite and Concrete are all basically different names for the same
end result.
It has a very rough surface and must be plastered to make it smooth.
The pool must be re-plastered every 3 to 7 years in a price range of $3000 to $8000
The plaster is porous and prone to stains and discoloration and as it ages it
gets very rough and causes scrapes on swimmers' toes, knees and elbows. Painting can help.
That porous surface also hides algae and means more chemicals to treat it and more
electricity for circulating the chemicals.
The surface of a gunite pool will affect the water chemistry of the pool and
require more chemicals to keep the water balanced (and avoid damaging the surface)
Painting the pool will help protect the plaster. Pool paint costs $60 to $120 per gallon.
Usually four or five gallons.
Expect to repaint the pool every 3 to 5 years.
Repairing and repainting the gunite pool requires acid washing the pool with
at least a 50/50 concentration of acid to water, sprayed on and brushed while wearing protective clothing.
To repaint the pool you must acid wash the entire surface and wait a week to
ten days for it to dry. Then after painting, you must allow the paint to dry another week to ten days before putting
any water in it.
Use good paint because if it fails, the only remedy is to remove it by sandblasting
After painting the pool so many times the paint has built up to a point where
you really need to have it all removed by sandblasting down to the bare concrete and start again
There is rubberized pool paint and epoxy pool paint. You need to know which you have
before repainting because you need to put the same type of paint on or it will not stick
Suction automatic cleaners can pull off the skim coat of plaster
Plaster repairs are expensive!
The initial coat of plaster bonds pretty well because both surfaces are new, but
if surfaces are not carefully and properly prepared for re-plastering, it will pop off and have to be redone
It is not impossible to re-plaster your
own pool, but after you look up the directions
you may change your mind about taking on all that work yourself
Re-painting the pool yourself is a little more manageable, but you can expect to
have your pool tied up for three weeks or more while you do it
Did we mention a gunite pool is EXPENSIVE?
The gunite truth is not pretty!
Here's why we DO install vinyl liner inground pools!
A vinyl liner inground pool is much less expensive to purchase and install
The vinyl liner is smooth to the touch - no scraped toes and knees!
The non-porous vinyl liner is not so prone to stains as is gunite
A vinyl liner inground pool takes about one
week to install. A gunite one takes six to eight weeks.
A vinyl liner will typically last about
10 years before it needs to be replaced
It is much less expensive to replace a
vinyl liner than to re-plaster a gunite pool
A vinyl liner does not have pores to trap algae and does not affect the water
balance of your pool the way a gunite pool will
Vinyl liners are available in a wide range of colors and designs to suit every
decor. Gunite can be tiled to pretty it up, which also makes it even more expensive
A vinyl liner can be replaced in one day. Repainting a gunite pool will have
your pool down for two to three weeks.
