Gathering some info on gunite pools

[mummer43]

Hi all, I am a new member and I'm just trying to learn more about in-ground pools and gunite pools specifically. Thanks!

[Watermom]

Hi mummer43 and welcome to the Pool Forum. What kind of information were you needing?

[mummer43]

Hi mummer43 and welcome to the Pool Forum. What kind of information were you needing?

Well right now, I'm just looking for the basics. I have never owned a pool and I think I prefer concrete over vinyl, but I'm not sure what the advantages/disadvantages of each are.

[Watermom]

I'll give you a couple and then others can chime in.

Pros for concrete ---- don't have to worry so much about taking a chlorine level too high and damaging a liner.

Pros for vinyl --- Can replace a liner in a few years instead of having to replace a whole pool. I would think installation would be much cheaper, but I don't know that for sure. I would also think that the installation would be much quicker.

[mummer43]

I'll give you a couple and then others can chime in.

Pros for concrete ---- don't have to worry so much about taking a chlorine level too high and damaging a liner.

Pros for vinyl --- Can replace a liner in a few years instead of having to replace a whole pool. I would think installation would be much cheaper, but I don't know that for sure. I would also think that the installation would be much quicker.

Thanks for the info. What is the lifespan of a gunite pool?

[CarlD]

Thanks for the info. What is the lifespan of a gunite pool?

If you maintain the pool, it's indefinite, but you may need to resurface it as often as every 5 years. Installing a gunite pool is definitely more expensive than a vinyl liner, which, with care, can last 15 - 20 years. However, one thing you can count on: No matter what you do, sooner or later you will need to replace the liner. That's not true of gunite--only if you don't care for it properly.

A gunite pool also requires you to monitor and adjust the calcium content of the water so it doesn't leech out of the walls. And total alkalinity is much more sensitive than vinyl. When new pools or new surfaces cure, people find themselves fighting very alkaline (high pH ) pools

If your dog likes to swim and you want him to, go with gunite, shotcrete, pebbletec, tile, plaster, etc. Dogs tear liners, frequently.

Vinyl doesn't tolerate excessive acidity or excessive chlorine well. Gunite does. However, vinyl doesn't care if calcium is low or high and can run perfectly well with too high or too low Total Alkalinity levels (I'm now running about 25% below the minimum "recommended" Tot Alk level and my pH hasn't moved in 7 weeks).

Then you'll want to know about pumps and filters..... :) :)

Carl

[Willjay]

CarlD, when you mention "maintaining" a gunite pool, are you referring only to the calcium levels or is there anything else that needs management in taking care of a gunite pool?

[CarlD]

I understand that about every 5 years the pool needs to be re-surfaced, or should be.
Additionally, you need to maintain calcium and T/A levels as well as the usual stuff.

Carl