Built to Last
Why ASR Concrete Failure Won't Threaten Your Wild West Custom Pool
Advanced, ASR-eliminating gunite technology for ultimate peace of mind in Central Texas.
At Wild West Custom Pools LLC, we proactively protect our clients from the regional concrete crisis by engineering every pool shell to be completely safe from Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR). We partner exclusively with a premier gunite subcontractor who utilizes a specialized, modified concrete mix specifically formulated to neutralize the chemical reaction during application, ensuring your pool won't be susceptible to ASR. ASR, commonly known as "concrete cancer," is a highly destructive chemical phenomenon that occurs when reactive silica in local aggregates interacts with alkali hydroxides in cement in the presence of moisture. In the Central Texas region, ASR has become an epidemic for standard pools, causing severe spiderweb cracking, leaks, and catastrophic structural failure due to the constant hydrostatic pressure and moisture of a pool environment. The crisis has been heavily worsened by a severe regional shortage of fly ash — the critical neutralizing ingredient — leaving many builders vulnerable. By securing this advanced, modified mix for our projects, Wild West Custom Pools LLC gives you total peace of mind that your luxury gunite pool is built with superior waterproofing, structural integrity, and long-term durability.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions About ASR
The Materials
Shotcrete vs. Gunite: Understanding Your Pool Structure
When building a concrete pool, you will often hear the terms Gunite and Shotcrete. Both materials create a rock-solid, durable pool shell, but they are mixed and applied differently.
Gunite (Dry-Mix Process)
The dry cement and sand are loaded into a hopper and pushed through a hose using compressed air. Water is added at the very end of the hose nozzle right as the builder applies it to the pool walls. This allows the nozzleman to adjust the water content on the fly, creating a highly dense, strong structure.
Shotcrete (Wet-Mix Process)
The concrete is fully mixed with water beforehand at a batch plant and delivered in a traditional cement truck. It is then pumped through a hose and blasted onto the pool framework using compressed air.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Wild West Custom Pools LLC, we partner with top-tier subcontractors who are masters of the gunite process. By utilizing their advanced, modified concrete mix during the gunite application, we eliminate the threat of ASR entirely. You get a dense, perfectly applied structure that stands up to the Central Texas environment without the risk of "concrete cancer."
Ready to Build a Pool That Lasts a Lifetime?
Don't let regional concrete issues compromise your backyard dream. At Wild West Custom Pools LLC, we invest in superior materials and elite gunite subcontractors so you can swim with total confidence. Get a luxury pool engineered to withstand the Central Texas elements without the risk of "concrete cancer."