Gunite is often used in foundation construction and repair. Gunite’s versatility makes it a good choice for repairs and adds strength while leaving a smooth surface. Gunite can be sprayed into foundation cracks with little to no prep work and not only adheres to previous gunite applications, but can be applied to most surfaces including cracked concrete and walls. of crumbled rock.
Gunite (occasionally called dry reinforced concrete) is a form of shotcrete and is similar to shotcrete, but with gunite the water is mixed with the dry mix of cement and aggregate in the grout as it is applied. The nozzle operator adjusts the amount of water added to the mix and has full control of the cement to water ratio. The mixture is sprayed at high speed to create a smooth concrete surface. Gunite is often sprayed over rebar or steel mesh in new construction for added strength, and can be sprayed on foundations, pools, retaining walls, water gardens, and even overhead.
The interior walls of gunite basement construction are often covered with a layer of plaster to waterproof the basement. The plaster is similar to what you would find on the surface of a swimming pool. This drywall sheathing will occasionally crack and chip, making the wall look bad and leaving an unprotected area when it comes to waterproofing. To repair these cracks, you must remove all loose material and remove surface debris. Once the area is prepared, you can make the repair by simply replacing the drywall.
Temperature changes and ground settling can cause larger cracks to appear in basement walls and floors. If you have a crack in your basement that goes beyond the surface coating and into the gunite, it can be repaired in a number of ways. You may first choose to repair using an epoxy compound filling the crack. Kits are available for the do-it-yourselfer to repair small cracks in foundations and basement walls.
A second way to repair the basement wall is to fill it with a concrete seam system that places staples along the crack. These staples are made to prevent the crack from opening further. To install the staples, you will need to drill holes for the staples and remove the surface coating in the area where the staples will be installed. Once you have the staples in place, you can fill the crack with any type of fast-setting, non-shrink cement.
If the damage to the basement is extensive enough, you may choose to repair it with gunite. This can be done even if the original basement was not built with gunite. Gunite will adhere to most surfaces. It’s best to have the gunite blown out in your basement by a trained professional because if the wet/dry mix ratio isn’t right or if the gunite isn’t blown out correctly (and evenly), you may have some structural problems.
Repairing an existing basement with gunite requires that you lay an even layer of gunite over the surface. Shooting the gunite over the surface will fill in the cracks and strengthen the surface. Gunite application to your basement repairs any cracks and chips you may have and will make your basement look like new.
