Cracks are appearing in Central Texas pools, causing them to drain dry | Here's why

Alkali-silica reaction, also called "concrete cancer," is a hidden defect plaguing pools in Central Texas, making them unusable shortly after they're built.
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[@georgesmith8774]

The kids used to say, "Daddy we need a pool!" "Nope" I answered "You need friends who have a pool."

[@nomaderic]

Like the saying goes "a friend with a boat is better than owning a boat yourself"

[@czechmate6916]

Both great answers 👍👍

[@terryfonz4603]

You just need a concrete construction engineer present to test the concrete before it is installed to insure the concrete mix is mixed correct

[@Ek0]

When I was a kid...what I wanted more than anything was a tree house. One day, I finally got mustered up the courage to ask my parents, and I asked, "mom... dad.... can we get a tree house?" and they said, "No ek0... we have to keep living in the van." -Anthony Jeselnik joke. lulllll

[@manuelrojas387]

Best reply I have ever heard 👏

[@darrellmoore1743]

If concrete cancer is a result of incorrect mixing. Why is the concrete contractor not on the hook? ASR is not a disease. It is a production failure.

[@DanOKC]

Because the Cement Mixing Company provides the mix the Chapter 11 - Sub-Contractor ask for. The Pool Builders don't care because his sub-Contractors just change corporate names and then open back up under a new business name contract out to same builders over and over.

[@DanOKC]

@@SWelosishere WHO PLACE THE ORDER AND the MIX? Builder's RESPONSIBILITY is to give and ensure spec's are being meet. If not the builders who suppose to hire qualified sub's labor and ensure they meet his requirements. (The Builder is the General Contractor) According to your logic a Builder's responsibility is ONLY to collect money. Sweet gig

[@darrellmoore1743]

@@DanOKC Vinny Di Goombah concrete inc.?

[@DanOKC]

@@darrellmoore1743 Sorry. that one when completely over my head. I am say document, document and stop pointing fingers and changing company names every season.

[@What.The.Fluff.]

​@@darrellmoore1743 Yo! I know a guy!

[@Xx-po1fu]

No pool is worth $115,000. I'd rather drive to the beach, or a local pool.

[@ryanehlis426]

That’s actually on the cheep end.

[@SusiesRepeat]

Or a above ground pool, vinyl and Aluminium.

[@epacig]

These flex-seal commercials are getting more elaborate

[@tomcibulskis7649]

Flex seal is cheaper than a lawyer!

[@Gary65437]

You'd think there is a nice blue rubber they can spray on as a liner like some basement foundations use to keep water out. Sure beats rebuilding a pool.

[@Danny-fs1hk]

😂😂😂

[@mrmrmrcaf7801]

@@Gary65437 Of course it exists, it is a nano-based pool paint and a rubber membrane is formed , it is used all over Europe in swimming pools because there are big temperature changes and that the water does not freeze in the concrete and break it but here they don't want to use it because the price increases and they want as much profit as possible.

[@nczioox1116]

If only they had flex seal on the titanic

[@marcusdub07]

$115k, that figure alone would have saved me the impending trouble.

[@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605]

Yeah we can tell..

[@philipclift7205]

Yeah, kiddie pools are 15 bucks at Walmart! Same, same.

[@mhxxd4]

We know! Broke mf

[@Gfysimpletons]

@@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605 chump

[@davidgray1515]

Some people have more money than brains, You would think he could find a more attractive mate.

[@Damone7653]

Back in 1974 we begged our parents for a pool and they said no. We were able to get a pool liner the neighbors were throwing out and made a pool and called it "the cheap parents pool"... great memories. Missing you Mom and Dad thanks for all the love and guidance.

[@mashdatrashvideos2831]

I build pools in CA and we are required to do core samples, the cost for a concrete inspector and lab results is $400.00, cheap compared to what can happen

[@lazarosanchez5314]

The problem with this is that you only find out the results after the concrete is placed..

[@mashdatrashvideos2831]

@@lazarosanchez5314 Yes, we have to turn in results prior to plastering the pool, it is part of the pre plaster inspection, sucks for everyone

[@kevinconrad6156]

@@lazarosanchez5314 But you know it is not what you ordered and can have it replaced immediately.

[@Mixer-he2wb]

And final payment isn't withheld until project completion?! Keeps the contractor on the subcontractor, etc.

[@FaithandNova]

@@lazarosanchez5314at the end of the video she said to make sure they are using the right concrete mix. Meaning there has to be a way of knowing beforehand

[@crinklecut3790]

How did the Romans build pools so well over 1,500 years ago but we can’t?

[@mfblowfish4671]

They weren’t using Portland cement Or steel rebar.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

​@@mfblowfish4671they used tons of layers of rocks. And time tested technique of burnt shells.

[@jenc8953]

Because they used materials built to last that’s why everything they made is pretty much still standing till this day. I stayed in a 500 year old house in Florence, Italy 2 yrs ago. There was no concrete cancer there and the craftsmanship was insane.

[@Al828282]

When you carve a pool out of the bedrock, it tends to last longer.

[@davidgray1515]

Obviously people are way dumber now

[@me5768]

Poor concrete, the wrong mix, to much water in the mix, not enough cement in the mix the list goes on. The bottom line is they did it as cheap as possible to make money and now their customers gotta pay. They’re all just gonna file chapter 11 and walk away from it.

[@MrWaterbugdesign]

It's not actually possible to build a pool using concrete with "too much water" because the concrete is shot out of a hose onto a vertical surface. Too much water and the concrete will just fall down. The issue with these pools is the wrong aggregate being used. Not using non-reactive aggregates or low-alkali cements or adding enough supplementary cementitious (to hardened concrete, such as fly ash, lithium nitrate, etc... It's kind of a mess because the concrete contractors aren't engineers so they don't know what kind of concrete mix to order. The concrete supplier just delivers whatever mix is asked for. And property owners want cheap, cheap, cheap so any pool bid that includes an engineer to spec the concrete mix and test each delivered load gets rejected by customers. And of course Texans hate government so there's little oversight. Congrats Texans, you played yourself.

[@me5768]

@@MrWaterbugdesign yes they did

[@peter-pg5yc]

They already have.

[@1realtruthrightnow742]

Thank is exactly what they did

[@davidhughes5369]

@@MrWaterbugdesign TRUTH!!!! 100%

[@tedecker3792]

I worked in a concrete test lab while I was in college. Each material in the mix had to pass rigorous testing. Any part of the mix can call failure. An engineer can specify each component of the mix, its source, its validated testing, and the ratio of each for the mix. Don’t cheap out.

[@skutchBlobaum]

All concrete cracks eventually.

[@tedecker3792]

@@skutchBlobaum all concrete is not the same.

[@steveincali1]

Neighbors must have loved the sound system and all the visitors.

[@Gfysimpletons]

Yeah, he’s a nuisance I bet…..

[@hello-ef4bn]

Don’t buy a house 15ft from your neighbors if you don’t want to hear them. If people having fun bothers you then go buy 40 acres of peace and quiet.

[@kstreet7438]

​@@hello-ef4bnlol for real. These two comments are sad.

[@Cocollyt]

@@hello-ef4bnyeah yikes I love hearing my neighbors. As long as people are respectful this is just part of living among people.

[@levak8740]

Ha ha ha ha !

[@southern04man]

Bad cement is more common than everyone thinks. There's a cement plant in my area that has horrible cement. They getting sued now.

[@danwaller5312]

Do you know the difference between CONCRETE AND CEMENT?

[@lostfool]

​​@@danwaller5312Cement is the most important ingredient in concrete. It's the binding agent in concrete, bad cement makes bad concrete. If you're going to try to make someone sound dumb don't make dumb comments.

[@serafinacosta7118]

@@danwaller5312 he is talking about bad Portland Cement. It is assumed concrete is parts gravel, parts sand , water, and Portland Cement. Rebar reinforced. And poured.

[@danwaller5312]

@@serafinacosta7118 if the Cement doesn’t meet ASTM C94 they can’t and wouldn’t sell it. If the cement is bad it wouldn’t only be showing up in pools!

[@Jamietheroadrunner]

Probably bought it cheap from China. In China, they call it tofu-dreg construction because all their newer buildings and skyscrapers are literally falling down around them. It’s fascinating and horrifying the videos you see from China. These people are mostly part of their new middle class and they end up buying homes they can’t move into and they still have to pay off the banks anyway! On top of all that, all their real estate companies are filing for bankruptcy. Whatever our problems here, we are lucky to live in the USA.

[@viktorakhmedov3442]

Your description of what causes ASR is incorrect. It has nothing to do with how it is mixed. It's the type of aggregate used. Most other areas learned this lesson 20 years ago.

[@jkd77433]

One might wonder how much of this concrete mix was used in our roads and bridges as well as other structures. Denver's new airport was plagued by similar problems with the concrete used in the runways in the 1990s.

[@anderander5662]

There's an expressway in my town of Tulsa that failed after a few years and is now being completely torn out and redone.

[@serafinacosta7118]

And then they blame the Chinese and their Tofu Projects.

[@Molon_Labe1776]

They replaced my street recently and its like recycled asphalt. It's got huge gaps between the aggregate and it starting to fall apart months after. Water also weeps up from the ground during/after rain.

[@patpatpat999]

I dont know about Texas, but in most states when you are trying to sell your house, at least 1/2 the potential buyers will pass on any house with a pool.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Wouldn't touch a house with a pool. A bottomless pit in which you throw money.

[@asymmetry9988]

I installed a pool at my last house. Never again. They are a money pit.

[@moochythecat3435]

All of the Milwaukee County public swimming pools built in the 1960's are still in mint condition and have never leaked...

[@NativeAmericanSwag]

115k for a pool? For a hole in the ground to add some water in? They don’t have the same financial concerns many other people have…🤦🏻‍♀️

[@supersize75k5]

That’s the price of a new fully loaded 1 ton truck or a Denali suv, it’s not that crazy

[@TannerCity]

@@supersize75k5no but it’s crazy that people pay that price for them.

[@thomascunningham111]

When ASR ("concrete cancer") occurs in cement, a soluble gel of sodium silicates forms on the aggregates. This gel can swell and expand as it absorbs water, creating pressure that FRACTURES concrete from within. The result is often significant cracking that weakens the concrete and increases risks of structural failure.

[@peter-pg5yc]

And Roman concrete is self healing and still standing..

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

I thought they use salt water for it...

[@1realtruthrightnow742]

I was watching a court case a few weeks ago. A former pool installer admitted in court that his company installed thousands of pools that have a defect in the concrete that will cause them to fall apart. He dissolved the company and reopened under a new name, still doing the same work. All of those home owners are now left in the lurch with no recourse. Also I had NO IDEA how expensive and lucrative the pool business is.

[@sjbock]

Came here for the comments about a $115,000 pool and the wife's appearance and I'm not disappointed.

[@lukegaming86]

I like how they are describing their pool’s diagnosis like it was a human being who got cancer 😂

[@Jason-pq5mq]

How many buildings, structures, and support columns were built using these contractors? I hardly doubt it’s only pools. Does to story go further or stop at pools?

[@imfloridano5448]

I was thinking the very same thing. I'm wondering if any government structures have been built using these contractors as well.

[@akshonclip]

Shotcrete is completely different. This is the result of the contractor adding too much sand to the mix. It’s easier to trowel but not as robust.

[@tomcibulskis7649]

It probably only affects pools. Like roofers, pool contractors are cowboys. Y'all don't need no engineering. My swimming pool excavation contractor would not accept my drawing. I couldn't send it to him registered mail because he slept in his truck. He did the excavation correctly but it took 3 months.

[@serafinacosta7118]

@@tomcibulskis7649 you should’ve posted as a topic reply. At the very least a few more people would giggle at your anecdotes.

[@JCSmith-uo5cu]

I was thinking the same thing. Those lips and hair were nuts. Why I will never let my wife get lip injections.

[@eugenefirebird8938]

I bet his neighbors loved his sound system. ha ha ha

[@JeffsGypsy]

Was thinking that, also.

[@radicalronie]

I was thinking the same thing with those houses being so close together! Lol Bet the neighbors are happy now. 😅

[@backtoasimplelife]

Yeah, some of them are probably SO disappointed that this happened.

[@motorhead281]

This guys got a hot wife and lots of $... he doesn't have hood rat neighbors like you all lol😂

[@theotheleo6830]

A pool is great, as long as it's someone else's. Pools must be maintained forever, even when they're no longer used.

[@greydovegardens7688]

Bet your neighbors are thinking it's karma for those outdoor speakers you installed and most likely blasting. " We have people over ALL the time."

[@davidhughes5369]

EXACTLY!!😂😂😂

[@geemama420]

Yes I literally just wrote this 😂

[@lobstermash]

Yes. Noise like that is a form of aggression.

[@MrC9Oh3]

Yeah and that fake lipped wife

[@paulcontreras3264]

I have been in the construction business for over 27 years and 20 years with my own company. I always tell people to please please get structural construction components engineered then get bids based on the engineers report and specifications. In almost every case the homeowners decline because of the cost. How much does it cost to demolish and rebuild your pool or foundation? 100,000.00+ and you won't spend $1,000 to have it engineered . Amazing stupidity.

[@alexsystems2001]

So bad concrete mixture can be fixed by having a structural engineer?

[@tomcibulskis7649]

The specifications for the concrete mix design were probably not correct. I would have MANDATED stainless steel rebar #4 @ 12 inches on center both ways one layer. Or heavy stainless steel wire mesh of the same steel area. Pools are legally "non structural". Consumers need to hire a third party Structural Engineer for a concrete swimming pool. Ask for a full set of calculations also. If you cannot afford to pay an engineer 1000$ or 2000$, then you will not be able to afford to pay your swimming pool utility bill.

[@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605]

The pool Contractor collects the 110,000 dollars💰... And then makes the pool Subcontractors cannibalize each other, then picks the low ball Subcontractor to do the work..😂 And then start a podcast How he is the victim..😅 😊

[@scaramouche8244]

@@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605 I am sure the illegals who did the work are not worried at all.

[@paulcontreras3264]

@@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605 100% Correct.

[@dandan7973]

I just can’t feel bad for them. You can spend $115k on a POOL?!? 🖕🏻🖕🏻

[@richardsmith5840]

$100k-$125k is the pricing for an in-ground pool now around central Texas.

[@radolfkalis4041]

None of these people are going to see a penny for their pools. Most concrete subcontractor are small operations than will ninja vanish at the first sign of trouble, a d the costs of these pools will absolutely bankrupt almost every pool company out there. I feel for these poor folks.

[@_PatrickO]

The owners need to go to jail. A pool company selling 100k pools who claims to have no clue how the concrete needs to be mixed is absolutely ridiculous. Of course the owner in the video is apologetic, he doesn't want to go to jail for his massive fraud.

[@michaelstrang2563]

Pool companies don’t mix or pour concrete, there is a company that pours it and a company that manufactures the concrete itself. It the the manufacturer of the concrete that is at fault.

[@radolfkalis4041]

@@michaelstrang2563 That is what I said. :)

[@_PatrickO]

@@michaelstrang2563 Sorry, but you cannot be in business if you aren't validating the mix in any way. You also should be buying insurance for this if it is a business risk. The consumer is the only innocent person here. These fly by night pool companies ignore all quality and just quickly install pools that look nice with no care about how long they will last. They don't get to say they don't understand concrete as that is the primary thing a pool installer needs to know.

[@collinandry1188]

@@michaelstrang2563EXACTLY

[@lrs7777]

Warning: pool contractors DON’T offer to fix another contractor’s problems.

[@skutchBlobaum]

Yet they'll be more than happy to suggest their buddies(or their brother in law's) concrete company to you.

[@jpolish420]

Just what you would expect out of Texas.

[@TheMowsefan]

Can they add a vinyl liner or fiberglass lining to the pool instead of demolition and rebuilding it?

[@NDcompetitiveshooter]

Only if there will be long term structural integrity of the concrete basin holding the water. To do it right, a structural engineer would have to sign off on the modification being a sound remediation to the problem.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

Never buy a house with a pool. Listen to me, please save yourself endless troubles and giant piles of money. Forget the pool.

[@user-gl9iz1bp1r]

Had a fiberglass pool. Best day was when we removed it. Just not worth the time and risk (had little grandkids). Lots of work to remove, but enjoy the extra space.

[@NicholasWHaley7]

Had a pool growing up. It was great and totally worth it.

[@williamlevesque6348]

Its not a disease, its quality control issue on the materials used

[@gallardo360]

fiberglass is the way to go , hands down the best and cheapest to maintain 💯 %

[@RodManFB]

That backyard was full of people when the pool was new. Now… not so much!

[@bigdougscommentary5719]

The builders make it sound like the cancer was a surprise. It was shoddy workmanship.

[@NDcompetitiveshooter]

shoddy materials from the plant--not workmanship

[@dogface-hd8px]

So glad I bought an amazing fiberglass pool!! I am out time to jump in my pool!

[@os2958]

glad to know there are alternatives

[@bigdougscommentary5719]

Same here. 19 years old and swimming to this day.

[@HipsterBanana]

Someone fricked and went for cheap aggregate that reacts in the concrete. No matter how many times they fixed it if the aggregate is messed up, it'll be a money pit.

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

First sign of ASR I would have drained the pool and told builder that they are paying for a liner installation.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

In the midwest, due to freeze/thaw heave, nearly every pool has a vinyl liner; I'm putting in a new one now. Not cheap, but works out to a couple of hundred or so per year.

[@anderander5662]

It's not just the pool itself it's the steps and the walls surrounding it

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

@@anderander5662 I agree the surrounding concrete will need to be replaced with the correct type.

[@MM-qs2ny]

Back in the 80s. Just swam the river and built a rope swing. Way better than a boring pool.

[@FINfinFINfinFINfin]

These guys swim the river and spray gunite.

[@alexlopez5800]

Can't do that now. Over crowded rivers, polluted rivers, and everyone's hostility towards each other

[@maryswanson9982]

We found an old rock quarry, or went to the public pool.

[@mdb45424]

Public pools have the fun without the maintenance. Just got to share

[@nonawolf7495]

Wait till bad concrete starts showing up in bridges, runways, foundations, et...

[@FlickLives]

It’s a real shame this happened in a state with some of the worst consumer protection laws and regulations on the books. All these people are gonna get hosed.

[@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605]

👍🇺🇸 The great state of texas, And there beliefs in less regulations...😊

[@alienorificeinvestigation]

Wasn't the pool builders fault, the concrete mix was faulty.

[@ButterNutter37]

​@@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605 Corporations own Texas now.

[@peter-pg5yc]

Limited liability companies. also bankruptcy, close down business its all over folks they be gone.

[@neilopfer5687]

The laws/regulations really don't matter when you have wide-spread failures as I've seen comparable issues (not concrete related) in California, Illinois, and Michigan. These three states have buco regulations. Plus, from what's presented here, it was the quality of ready-mix concrete coming from the concrete plant that was problematic which is obviously not made by the concrete contractor.

[@scottprather5645]

There was another part of the country that had aggregate which contained pyrite it reacted and turned into sulfuric acid and the foundations were literally crumbling turned into a nightmare for a lot of homeowners.

[@scottsnodgrass4361]

That’s some bad botox or plastic surgery

[@danielcrouch6589]

Cheaped out on that, too.

[@serafinacosta7118]

I noticed that. Trophy wife with Botox.

[@rbfarrell1]

Just imagine the before.

[@serafinacosta7118]

Trophy wife gone bad.

[@billycox475]

Lip injections, always the lip injections 🤦‍♂️

[@genehasenbuhler2594]

I live in the far west end of Texas- we have had this since the early 80s here! I've had to demo almost every pool made back then to now! The alkyl comes from the water they add to the mix! It's basically internal at that point and there is no way other than to use filter treated water to both make and cure the concrete!

[@dunweyweydum]

Sounds like you could make a useful video on the alkaline water issue....???

[@deemelody2396]

I can see adjusting the water pH with some chemicals, but why would they have to filter the water? I wonder if this "concrete cancer" cracking is happening in other states with alkaline water?

[@genehasenbuhler2594]

@@deemelody2396 it's happening all over the country! Especially in the southwest!

[@genehasenbuhler2594]

@@deemelody2396 here we use filter systems to remove the alkalinity for swamp coolers! That and diodes to keep the corrosion down!

[@clifflong7944]

NOT the contractors fault. This falls completely on the batch plant that mixed the mud. They were given the specs when it was ordered. Contractor measures slump, batch plant measures concrete quality and composition. Every order can be different.

[@lutomson3496]

if proper engineering wasnt done to specify the proper mix of concrete to match the soil and water composition, it is on the contractor. Only if the concrete plant was given the proper mix breakdown, and core sampled, and the plant failed to do so, is the concrete plant...

[@clifflong7944]

@@lutomson3496 I worked at a batch plant...we did our own QC with concrete samples constantly so we had proof the concrete was mixed properly. Things were always being weighed ,measured and lab verified. This is just a lack of fly ash in the mix which is weird because its a super low cost component. It's a waste byproduct from power plants and readily available.

[@matthewnosal6893]

This is a concrete foundation problem. Think a slab for a house. The elaborate walls steps require an engineer and a concrete contractor that communicates and are on the same page. Most in ground pools don’t have this problem. Most in ground pool’s without all the fancy superstructures don’t have this problem using gunite and rebar

[@peterkn2]

I think it's the contractor's fault because they chose the concrete mixing company to subcontract with.

[@chrismathes3647]

100K for a pool? You ain't got real problems 💯

[@user-bg2gh6ty2b]

Right?? That Walmart pool would be like 1000 for the nice one with a pallet deck 😂

[@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605]

Don't. Be a hater, You can't put a walmart pool in that neighborhood,

[@republicansthatdidntvotefo1605]

The pool Contractor collects the 110,000 dollars💰😃... And then makes the pool Subcontractors cannibalize each other, then picks the low ball Subcontractor to do the work..😂 And then start a podcast How he is the victim, American greed at its best 😅 😊

[@2ndgradeuscitizen]

Spending 100K for a pool is a big problem, but driving new luxury SUVs, visiting Disney parks and eating in restaurants is a necessity.

[@user-bg2gh6ty2b]

@@2ndgradeuscitizen literally none of that is necessary.....

[@kimward5746]

this is a great little expose. like a mini-documentary. even with some interesting closure at the end with the guy podcasting. nice job, real journalists!

[@pwu8194]

There was a wall (shown on the video) that wasn't supported by pressure from dirt. That was disaster waiting to happen. The pool needed to be supported by walls of dirt or has to have steel frame strong enough to bring it together, like those done on the top of sky scrappers. His $125K wasn't going to be enough for something like that. It was bad from the start. They wanted to have a pool, but don't know anything about engineering. Pool company just wanted to make money. Pool company can always file bankruptcy when it gets sued.

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

Hydrostatic pressure is a bit like the terminator for walls... It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. "It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear! And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until your wall is dead!"

[@Borkery]

never go with the lowest concrete bidder

[@diegop2311]

The reason chemistry is important 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@glike2]

A fiberglass pool lasts many many decades, costs less, looks beautiful, and allows pool shoppers can avoid all this.

[@vivalaleta]

But it's PLASTIC. 😱

[@skin2117]

Concrete was not mixed properly. With that said why go after the pool companies? You should be going after the concert plant. You'd almost think they would have a performance insurance policy or a performance bond to cover their product.

[@lazarosanchez5314]

Great idea

[@kevinconrad6156]

It's Texas, consumer has no protection, neither do the small contractors. What you get when you think government regulation is a waste of resources instead of a helping hand for the small guy.

[@galexander8723]

I’ve recently retired from 40+ years in the concrete industry and I tell you there’s no such thing as cancer in concrete. It all comes down to the concrete mix.

[@_PatrickO]

Pool builders: "we had no idea what we were doing, so please feel sorry for us".

[@craigg4925]

You know, if they mix, quicklime, crushed shell and salt water, when making the concrete it will heal itself. that is why the stuff the Romans made are still standing.

[@trancextend]

No body is suing the concrete provider? They made the mix!!

[@chriscordray8572]

We have know about concrete cancer for 50 plus years . Fly ash hardened the concrete. The concrete companies are to blame to knowing a pool takes different concrete than a standard foundation or sidewalk. Always use a epoxy coat over the entire pool surfaces. Deck and pool. It's a great investment on your addition to you yard. Epoxy comes in many colors. And it's permanently sealing the concrete surface. A new concrete actually heats itself below freezing Temps to keep the ice and snow off for hours after temperatures drop. No electricity or warming pipes under the concrete.

[@lazarosanchez5314]

Years ago knauf imported chinese drywall tainted with a high level of sulfides. Seems like a similar problem

[@tdw5933]

In Florida, it was a very smelly situation

[@LoriL010]

United States imports Cement primarily from: Turkey ($636M), Canada ($512M), Mexico ($254M), Vietnam ($203M), and Greece ($152M). The fastest growing import markets in Cement for United States between 2021 and 2022 were Turkey ($319M), Vietnam ($99M), and Mexico ($83.2M). China produces the most cement globally by a large margin, at an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons in 2022. China's cement production share equates to over half of the world's cement.

[@serafinacosta7118]

Hopefully Brazil does not import cement. Our Steel Mills are still running. Top cement brand seller for any serious builder is Votorantin. The late Antonio Ermírio de Moraes , our Robber Baron , was dead serious about his product. He also ran aluminum smelter plants. So in hindsight , I will stick with older building structures when taking listings to showcase.

[@JoseGonzalez-pv6sy]

Hire a pool company that does shock creek this ensures the concrete is well mix because it gets mix twice

[@dustinscheller7795]

Fly ash is literally the cheapest thing ever but they may not have it in tx everywhere since it's used mainly in mines to fire proof the walls of the mine

[@charrepz]

Dear Pool People, I had wrapped my pool with fiberglass coating 20 years ago with a 25 year warranty. My pool is perfect still and it’s taken so much less chemicals to adjust ph and clean then standard concrete gunite and plaster pools. Also get your self a sand filter and wrap that pool with fiberglass and fire your pool man and chemical company!

[@2ndgradeuscitizen]

I second that!

[@MADmidway]

I'm with you except for the Sand filter. DE is the best filter over the long run. Simply because it can be rebuilt and you can vacuum directly into the filter. It uses less water to backwash also.

[@ANT18621]

Coat with fiberglass? How? Is that a DIY project or have to hire a fiberglass guy? Please advise, thanks.

[@charrepz]

@@ANT18621 professionals do fiberglass coatings on standard gunite pools. Does America still use a yellow pages? 😆

[@charrepz]

@@MADmidway The sand filter makes cleaning a breeze. Cleaning is why we hire a pool Man. Oh! Let me clarify, if you ever worked a pole on 6 pools in one day. Brushing algae and scrubbing mold? If you have, you know this is a Man’s job or Your girl best have some serious shoulders and stamina to make this her career. Just clarifying!

[@NappyRB]

I mean a pool liner would help

[@stevec8861]

Given the timing of complaints, have to wonder if Type IL cement component of concrete, aka PLC, is involved? To reduce carbon emissions in cement manufacturing, Type IL cement replaces 10-15% of Traditional Type I/II cement with raw ground limestone. I believe Type IL was a small part of market back in 2017 when these complaints started, but now outsells Type I/II cement.

[@salinarodriguez309]

We just got our pool built last year and this is scaring me now. And it was with premier pool and spa!

[@blessedmamags7796]

Keep close watch. Hoping yours is safe.

[@sw6118]

So how do you get the test pour records/know the right mix?

[@kristibuckley]

I would never buy a house with an in ground pool or put one in myself. Anyone I know with one has a never ending list of issues. We bought a 30ft above ground and are just fine with it. Over 20 years using it and only had to get a new set of steps a couple years back.

[@shane7133]

I worked for Hines in Austin for a few years. Great company and a great owner. All I can say is that having a pool is incredibly expensive, even if it is done right. After working on them for a few years, my recommendation to anyone who purchases a home with a pool would be to fill it in with dirt.

[@MrTwenty20video]

That's terrible for both parties. Mixing concrete properly for pool construction is an art.

[@imfloridano5448]

Can they put a liner in it to stop the "concrete cancer"?

[@DanOKC]

The receipt of the formula used by Concrete Mixer Suppliers should be REQUIRED BY LAW for any concrete work period. The Required Building Material Specifications given to the Cement Company and it's Certification of Concrete Content matching those specification, should be considered every bit as important as your Property Titles and Insurance Policies. Cement integrity impacts everything aspect about your structure, foundation, floors, driveways, pools any and everything on the property. ( Why do states NOT REQUIRED THIS? )

[@SirHumano97]

I like the guy showing the pool builder awards... The awards are given based on how the pool looks when you finish it, not based on the quality of the product after 5 or 10 years which is what matters the most.

[@collinandry1188]

If the builder is using any NPT pool finish components, This entire material defect is completely avoided , and only uses the highest quality cement, aggregate, etc.

[@rambone5282]

Cheap labor and more profit. Let's face it I'm Hispanic but it doesn't mean I'm the best labor out there you have to pay for skill and knowledge.

[@andrewfisher8749]

As a pool owner/builder here in Commiefornia I feel for all involved. I’ve had zero structural problems on my pool/spa built in 2003. I subcontracted it myself and completed it in six weeks. I lucked out before the market went crazy. $27,000.

[@mrmrmrcaf7801]

We have one of those big 14000 gallons Intex above ground pools for the kids and never had any problems...we install it when summer comes,you get them from walmart for $1800-$2000 and it is much bigger and much cheaper to maintain than any concrete pool from this video 🤣

[@craiglee3253]

The ancient romans knew of this effect in concrete construction. It isn't new and is totally avoidable. The pool builder who has lost confidence of his clients deserves to go under.

[@Peeta-wn4hh]

It wasn’t mentioned in the video, but it would be interesting to know what grade (or standard) of cement was used.

[@stephenbrand5661]

This is just part of the charm of living somewhere without so much big government oversight, and overreach! I heard Dave Rubin telling Joe Rogan all about it!that

[@Reyvion]

As devestating as this is for them (financially), i'm so glad concrete cancer isn't actually like a sort of illness someone can get from the cracks of a pool.

[@babyseals4872]

Meanwhile the Pantheon continues standing. As a society we have completely forgotten how to do everything

[@user-dv7hq2rh4g]

The phenomenon is not the cause, it's the result. The result of companies cutting corners and trying save costs either when using or selling concrete. I would guess it's more likely the ones who are making the concrete than those who use it.

[@peter-pg5yc]

Strange a pool company doesnt keep tight control of the products used. research products use proper contractors that know their trade. So basically the company is just plain ignorant. Hit and run, uses a subcontractor with zero control ... what could go wrong?

[@rnvrnv354]

What about the the reinforcement and foundation? Those cracks are huge and were created by immense water pressure! The

[@mvsorola]

Great story! TY for looking into this.. pools in South Texas are so prevalent.

[@YESITSWILL]

So I guess it´s true, A pool actually is a hole in the ground that you pour money into.

[@robertscott6048]

Here in California the New Trans Bay Bridge and Many of the bridges for the High Speed Rail have bad concrete

[@oliveraguirreconcreterepai4826]

This problem typically gets traced all the way back to the Aggregate supplier. But the Ready Mix company is also at fault for not testing properly the aggregate. With the construction boom we had in austin, many new ready mix companies are popping and they don't have the proper staff to professionally conduct business.

[@Look_What_You_Did]

Aggregate has nothing to do with it. You must be one of those new ready mix companies we hear so much about.

[@oliveraguirreconcreterepai4826]

Check out the Portland Cement Association (Maximum knowledge center for cementicious materials in USA) resources, it is mostly an aggregate related issue. Many other factors involved, such as water-cement ratio, compaction, and propper dosification of Suplementary Cementicious materials such as fly ash and others. Sadly, residential construction doesn't get the attention and over-all quality control requirements that a State or Federal project would have. All concrete related projects should require a materials engineer and a structural engineer, but there is just no budget for it.

[@centex7409]

I worked in this industry at the primary supplier of pool equipment for the Central Texas area in 2021. I met and talked with most of the big builders and saw many of the realities of the industry in the area.. Here's the BIGGEST reality that lead to this: People flooding in from California freaking out about how cheap life was (yeah WAS) around here decided they all needed pools. Builders were running after tripping over themselves unable to keep up with the utterly insane demand. So of course a bunch of fly by night scamners showed up at every level. ESPECIALLY in the concrete business.. Because on top of it at, there was an utterly insane construction boom going on. The wait times for concrete were insane back then. So all these guys from far away with absolutely NO idea about the specific conditions here (like our utterly alkaline water) just took orders and ran. The builders didn't have time to check up on anything.. I wouldn't be surprised to find out over 50% off all pools and homes built in Central Texas since 2015 are utter trash.

[@joejohnson3680]

Phil Swift and some Flex-Seal will fix that.

[@nancienordwick4169]

In Seattle, the King County metro light rail addition is delayex and had to be redone due to concrete problems. I wonder if it was a supply issue for concrete ingredients. More of a nation wide issue. ?

[@jamesharrison9856]

Being a layman I had a pool built. The contractor used a concrete like substance called “Gunnite”. Process: Hole dug, rebar form put in the whole, then Gunnite sprayed onto the hole walls around the Gunnite. It was trowel shaped as if dried them after a few weeks of curing they came back and put a coat of plaster on the Gunnite. No problems after 8 years. Is this problem found only in “above ground” pools? Seems to me they could have put rebar in a concrete form then sprayed Gunnite for the pool walls just as easily as the dirt hole in my yard. SMH “I don’t get it”.

[@alphalight1469]

That would look so bad. Poor dude. That home value took a massive shot.

[@CommentsAllowed]

Having a pool can be one of the most stressful things in your life. Just go to the YMCA.

[@serafinacosta7118]

And you can barbecue by the poolside. On the YMCA. Brilliant.

[@CommentsAllowed]

@@serafinacosta7118 That's a great idea! Bring the bbq to the YMCA. Can make a whole class out of it. 😀

[@jackuzi8252]

In the 20th century, the US built massive bridges and skyscrapers which are still standing. In the 21st century, we can't build a backyard pool to last 5 years.

[@shakey2634]

Time to have it all removed, to lower your stress and let the lawsuit wind it’s way through the legal,system.

[@blueskyresearch6701]

Scary thing to me is where else is ASR an issue bridges, foundations etc...?

[@mullboll33]

ASR is due to aggregate and its reactivity with cement. What type of aggregate is being used in Texas that makes ASR so extreme