I’m interviewing potential contractors to build a basement and do the framing for a new home. Basements are not common in my area (N. Calif), but they are very common in my 1930’s neighborhood, so I want to do one. The 2 guys who came yesterday to interview were excited about the project, and one of them mentioned using gunite in/on the basement “because we have a lot of experience building pools.” I looked at him like he was crazy. Gunite? What are you talking about? He said something about it’s compressive strength and waterproofing properties, and the water table, etc. I just let it go and decided to check out the idea later. I went to Breaktime to see if there was anything here on the subject, but there isn’t. If I think about it, I’m wondering if he was suggesting spraying gunite on the external surfaces of the footings and poured concrete foundation (basement) walls. That’s the only thing I can imagine that makes any sense. But there are lots of waterproofing products available, and why not use what most people use instead of gunite? Can anyone shed light on why this guy would have thought first of gunite, and if it has any merit?
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he thought of gunite because he sells gunite
it can be used
but it is not cost effective compared to a regular foundation contractor forming and pouring one
Are you saying he would build the entire basement structure using swimming pool techniques? That does seem bizarre.
Not if you want an indoor pool. :-)
What's the local code inspector going to say???
Don't worry, I'd never do it that way. I was just wondering if anyone had ever heard of it.
gunite ( & "shot-crete" ) gets used a lot for repairs to old stone foundations and old concrete foundations
gunite walls can be one-sided.. or two sided
i just find it hard to believe that they could ever come close to being cost effectiveMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
No forms would be needed. You bend the rebars to the shape you want and start spraying..
I suspect it would be reasonably fast to do, I've watched pools go from a hole in the ground to ready to paint in a day..
I've watched pools go from a hole in the ground to ready to paint in a day..
Paint?? Wouldn't you shellac that thang? :-)
Billy