Basecrete Intercept Application

coolpoolboi

New member
Sep 11, 2024
4
DFW
Im in the middle of my DIY build and we'll be shooting gunite on Friday!
Looking to try anything I can to stregthen the shell and prevent concrete cancer. My pebblesheen sub recommended Basecrete unsolicited, so that perked my ears. Basecrete Intercept looks like a cost effective and and easy way to achieve this.

How long after the shell is shot should I wait to apply? Also, any special surface prep you recomend?
 
Hey there :). While I can't speak directly as to Basecrete, here are some previous posts that mention it. Perhaps one or two will be interesting to you:

Google search results
 
Last edited:
C,

You should get whatever you want... But, my money is on "Scam alert".. :mrgreen:

I'm sure it will not hurt anything, but at the same time I doubt that that it will make any real difference..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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BENEFITS
• Waterproofs the surface of the concrete
• Densify and strengthens the concrete
• Controls hydration of new concrete
• Exfoliates entrapped salts
• Reduces rust formation on rebar
Reduces ASR (alkali silica reactivity)
• Accelerates concrete curing time.

 

Use water damming / water proofing membranes in the construction
Aggregate is usually inert, meaning it is unreactive and ideal to use in concrete.

However, some aggregates can react with the alkali hydroxides in concrete, causing expansion and cracking over a period of many years.

This alkali aggregate reaction has two forms: alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and alkali-carbonate reaction (ACR).

That is why it is very important to test the aggregates for ASR and ACR reactivity before the aggregates are used in concrete.














 

 

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Looking to try anything I can to strengthen the shell and prevent concrete cancer.
Have you talked to the builder to see if they are aware of the issue and are knowledgeable about how to ensure good concrete?

Most likely, the issue should be resolved because the concrete suppliers should know how to prevent the problem.

Maybe ask to talk to the concrete supplier to see if they know how to specify a proper concrete mix.

Is the gunite/shotcrete shoot being subcontracted?

If yes, talk to the subcontractor.

What psi are you getting?
 
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ASR is not something that you get from the environment interacting with the concrete. It’s caused by improper mixture of contaminated materials at the concrete manufacturing facility. Applying some surface coating to a contaminated mix is not going to stop ASR from happening.
 
A good concrete mix should not get ASR even without a waterproof layer.

However, if the mix has any reactive aggregate, then the presence of water penetrating into the concrete will accelerate the reaction.
 
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If the Gunite/Shotcrete mix is really good and applied correctly, then you should not have issues.

If the mix is really bad, then you will have problems that will develop over time.

Water can penetrate from the pool side as well as the ground side if the ground water is high.

The best insurance is to make sure that all parties including the Gunite/Shotcrete shooters and the concrete supplier know about ASR and have done everything to eliminate the causes, especially the reactive aggregates.

If you have raised walls, then a waterproof layer is recommended to prevent bleedthrough and efflorescence.

Overall, I would probably go with the Basecrete.
 
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Sufficient Moisture

Available moisture is important when considering the potential for ASR-induced damage in field structures.

Concrete mixtures comprised of highly reactive aggregates and high-alkali cements have shown little or no expansion in certain very dry environments.

Likewise, local differences in moisture availability within the same structure have resulted in vastly different performance within that structure.

Specifically, portions of the structure exposed to a constant or steady source of moisture (e.g., as a result of poor drainage or poor detailing) have exhibited significant ASR-induced damage, while other portions of the structure that remain essentially dry have shown little or no damage.

Therefore, the exposure conditions, in general, and the availability of moisture, specifically, play key roles in the durability of field structures.

 
"To provide additional protection, CBI also recommends applying waterproofing membranes.

In the U.S., the most commonly applied preventive and remedial measures are those which control the ingress of water in the concrete (Tantawi, 2014). Waterproofing coatings are commonly used for this purpose.

A successful coating has to fulfill the following requirements:

Be chemically resistant to the alkalinity of concrete.

Have sufficient adhesion and water vapor permeability (prevent water from being trapped inside the concrete).

Be compatible with the expansion of concrete and be water repellent."

 
"Moisture and Permeability Reduction:

High humidity is absolutely necessary for the continuation of ASR.

The gel resulting from the reaction will swell by absorbing water and cause expansion of the material.

Keeping material dry and away from the water is an effective way to stop the reaction.

Buildings that are open to the atmosphere such as airport runways, taxiways, aprons, road pavements, structures that contact with water such as bridges, dams are more likely to be exposed to ASR.

Decreasing the permeability in the material slows the formation of the reaction because it restricts ion movement.

However, the impermeability of the material also has negative effects."

 

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