Gunite is often used in basement 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 does it adhere to previous gunite applications, it can also be applied to most surfaces, including cracked concrete and walls. of rock that crumble.

Gunite (sometimes called dry shotcrete) is a form of shotcrete and is similar to shotcrete, but with gunite the water mixes with the dry mix of cement and aggregate at the nozzle as it is applied. The man at the nozzle adjusts the amount of water to be 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 onto rebar or steel mesh in new construction for added strength, and can be sprayed in basements, swimming pools, retaining walls, water gardens, and even on the roof.

The interior walls of gunite basement construction are often covered with a gypsum sheathing to waterproof the basement. The plaster is similar to what you would find on the surface of a swimming pool. This sheeting 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 simply by replacing the drywall.

Changes in temperature and settling of the floor can cause larger cracks to appear in the walls and floor of the basement. If you have a crack in your basement that goes beyond the surface coating and into the gunite, you can repair it in a number of ways. First, you can choose to repair with an epoxy compound by filling in the crack. Kits are available for DIYers to repair small cracks in the foundation and basement walls.

A second way to repair your basement wall is to fill it with a concrete seam system that staples the crack. These staples are made to prevent the crack from opening further. To place 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 quick-setting cement that won’t shrink.

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 if the gunite is not blown correctly (and evenly), you may have some structural problems.

Repairing an existing basement with gunite requires you to place an even coat of gunite on the surface. Shooting the gunite on the surface will fill the cracks and strengthen the surface. Applying gunite to your basement repairs any cracks and chips you may have and will make your basement look like new.