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

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

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.

These flex-seal commercials are getting more elaborate

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

And Roman concrete is self healing and still standing..

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…🤦🏻‍♀️

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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."

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

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

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

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

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

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.

That’s some bad botox or plastic surgery

Just what you would expect out of Texas.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

When she said the pool cost "One hundred and..." I was really hoping she would say $100. Bcuz 6 figures for a pool is crazy. 3k materials, 2k labor tops. $6k absolute max

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

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.

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.

never go with the lowest concrete bidder

The reason chemistry is important 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

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

I mean a pool liner would help

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.

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.

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? )

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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

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 🤣

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

$115K and it all cracked from bad concrete. I guess you need to verify your pool company has insurance that can cover replacement if they botch the job and you need to see if you can get your own insurance/warranty for any new pool being installed. No pool company on the planet would have money to redo all the pools for bad concrete from the concrete company. There is no rapid test for bad concrete like this. Maybe if you are going to spend $100K a on a pool then go to the concrete plant and verify the mix in person with the pool company manager.

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

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”.

How about an interview with the concrete company’s? I want to hear what they have to say.

Sue the concrete contractor

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. ?

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.

Poor concrete work happens in this business. Shady pool companies are a dime a dozen. They're everywhere.

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

used cheap concrete...any competent engineer would know about ash and the consequences of not using it in concrete, in the projects especially with water and soil testing that identifies the chemical composition. guess there either wasnt engineering done, or if it was the contractors cheapened out