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 also 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 nozzle 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 mix is sprayed at high velocity 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 plaster coating will occasionally crack and chip, making the wall look bad and leaving an unprotected area as far as waterproofing is concerned. To repair these cracks, you must remove all loose material and remove debris from the surface. Once the area is prepped, you can make the repair by simply replacing the drywall.
Changes in temperature and settling of the soil can cause larger cracks to appear in the basement walls and floor. If you have a crack in your basement that goes beyond the surface siding and into the gunite, it can be repaired in a number of ways. You may first choose to repair using an epoxy compound by filling the crack. Kits are available for the do-it-yourselfer to repair small cracks in basement foundations and walls.
A second way to repair your 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 is best to have the gunite blown into your basement by a trained professional because if the wet to dry mix ratio is not correct or the gunite is not blown properly (and evenly), you may have some structural problems.
Repairing an existing basement with gunite requires that you place an even coat of gunite over the surface. Firing the gunite onto the surface will fill in cracks and strengthen the surface. Applying gunite to your basement will repair any cracks and chips you may have and will make your basement look like new.
