Concrete / Shotcrete Cure Time

[jetski559]

Hi, I'm looking at a concrete pool in my backyard, basic 15x32.

One PB I believe is talking about a cure time on the shotcrete of around 28 days.
The other says he finishes the entire job in 5-6 weeks. This implies he's not doing a 28 day cure time on the shotcrete.

So is he using a different mix? Or should I shy away from the builder doing the shorter cure time?

This article on the internet is stating the 28 days:

Concrete Pool Basics: Pros, Cons, and How They’re Made

Want to know if a concrete pool is the right fit for your backyard? Got questions about how they are made? In this article, we cover concrete pool costs, how they are made, pros and cons, and more to help you decide if concrete is right for you.

www.riverpoolsandspas.com

Thank you!

 

[JJ_Tex]

There is a lot that can be done while your gunite is curing. Plumbing, setting equipment, tile, coping, patio, etc. As long as it is 28 days between pouring the gunite and doing the plaster you should be fine.

 

[HermanTX]

This link may be helpful for your to review

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Desert Dog]

If your in the Los Angeles area, pool builders have started spraying the shotcrete with a cure and seal. I read a little on the practice but do not know enough about it to make an opinion. Supposedly it shortens the cure time down to 5 days and waterproofs the shotcrete. Something to consider and talk to your PB about. I used the same product but waited for a full cure first. I did it to avoid any possible water seeping through an exposed pool wall. Like a zero edge. On the other hand like JJ Tex said.... a lot can be done while waiting for it to cure. Ask your builder their plan and time line to complete it in that time frame.

 

[ajw22]

Concrete cure time depends on if it kept wet and for how long. See Watering New Gunite and Concrete - Further Reading

The most critical time is in the first 3-4 days. There really isn't a great reason to go more than 14 days with this process.

The benefit of keeping concrete from drying too quickly mostly happens at the surface and in the early stages of curing. After the first few days the surface has settled in, and the rest of the curing is going on deeper, and misting has little to no effect. Misting for longer doesn't hurt anything, and can give you something to do while you're anxiously waiting for the next steps