Thanks for the words of encouragement! So I'm planning on ordering direct from Portugal. But they don't normally do that as they have a supplier network. But there may be a supplier in the UK being established soon. I'll post details when I know. Re skill level. Self taught!
Thx for the videos.. I have been heavily researching how to build a similar pool but with block walls filled with concrete. I’m also leaning towards the basecrete. I’m thinking squeegee on floor and spray on walls.. However there is 2 coats required, each 1/16 thick. So is that 4 coats total? Two for the basecrete xtreme and two for regular basecrete?
@@RJ-cc1fz Hi. Great. I'd have gone for block again if I was feeling up to the manual labour! Although this method is easier to keep warm So I'm doing Basecrete extreme troweled on then basecrete on top. White with a pigment. And that's on EPS. Best bet would be to speak to a basecrete distributor. I spoke to them and they said two coats would be ok. Keen to know what they say. Let me know!
@@RichDoesDIY it’s so hot where I live, the water is almost to hot most of the year.. the block should help with cooling for me. Do you think I should be worried about the water freezing possibly cracking the block walls? It does freeze in the winter. Of course rebar and concrete in the block and backfill.. The sprayer seemed a lot faster and did a much better job at smoothing the product than a roller however trowel looked smoother aside from the trowel marks.. Those hopper sprayers are cheap and very easy to use. I certainly will get ahold of a basecrete representative when it’s closer to the project. I build homes for a living and there’s two homes I gotta do without pools before I build the next house for my family with the pool. Good luck to ya.
Hello Rich. I have been searching for options other than liner for an icf pool. Fantastic presentation, to the point and precise.. What is your opinion on porcelain tiles on top of basecrete extreme? Setting tiles will be less manual compared to applying basecrete or skim micro on top of the base. Also can we use stucco on mesh to cement the icf wallls instead of basecrete extreme?
Hello, Thanks for the kind words. So I've not looked in depth at any tiling finishes. Mainly due to cost. Don't quote me on this, but when I spoke to the guys at Basecrete, they advised that I'd still need Basecrete extreme/basecrete, then Basecrete as a base layer before tiling anyway. Making the tile layer an added extra. RE: Stucco, is that basically a sand/cement render? I know someone who has rendered their pool with a base coat of MAPETHERM AR1 GG with their recommended mesh, then a second coat of the same product. Then painted with Epoxy paint. Their pool is still going strong. My only concern with using a basic render product is the fact that there are no evidenced adhesion tests (to my knowledge) that demonstrate the products ability to adhere to EPS. Basecrete has these tests and they look good. I believe Basecrete is quite elastic when it is set. Making it ideal to go on a less than ideal substrate (eps)! I would consider tiling the entire pool in large porcelain tiles as I'm sure it would look amazing. Would the grout lines get dirty over time or be difficult to keep clean?
@@RichDoesDIY : thanks for the detailed answer. I am more inclined to using large tiles as the final finish for reduced cost and less maintenance over the years
@@squeekhobby4571 what sort of M2 price might we be looking at for tiles? I'm quite keen on investigating the tiled finish. One drawback could be how slippery they would be when getting in and out of the ledge. Wouldn't it also take a lot longer to tile vs skim?
@@RichDoesDIY : you are absolutely right with skimming. My only point is if it is a small pool and if we can get porcelain tiles in clearance, probably we can use it as a finish. Some of the Porcelain tiles have rough surfaces.
@@RichDoesDIY : after your analysis, I am more inclined towards skim coat overall for better grip and time management. I am finding rough porcelain tiles for $3 per sft in clearance. Nadura is offering one sided icf with concrete facing inside that should be better for applying the skim coat
Hi Natalie, I haven't , have you got any links to more info on that method? Not heard of that method on EPS. Wouldn't tanking slurry be a bit thin and easily prone to cracking? As the EPS is soft ?
@@RichDoesDIY honestly I don’t know - I’ve contacted the team at Antel who do the slurry and paint system to ask for their recommendations. I am still torn between concrete blocks and the ICF but if there’s the option to use that or even ardex/gunite concrete mix first could still work out cheaper with a decent finish too
@@RichDoesDIY I saw this guy use this method but on a block pool and researching to see IF it can be applied to the ICF blocks. ruclips.net/video/VmUXSAP397g/видео.htmlsi=3lZHYcE_xno8uw7K
@@natalieactive ah cool. Julian at Antel specced out the last pool membrane I did from blocks. A really knowledgeable chap. Super helpful too. I think there are very limited proven products that work on EPS over time. Blocks are a tried and tested method ! This is a bit experimental!
@@RichDoesDIY good to know. Mine will be more the size of the pool at your last house (we’re in the same FB group) so maybe best to stick with concrete blocks (just means spending more overall with the kingspan). ICF blocks works out £600 cheaper vs Concrete Blocks and Kingspan.
Are you worried about molding in the non liner option? People on internet have complained about difficulty to clean green molds with a cement like finish.
Hi, not especially, my last pool had a cement finish and I didn't have any issues with mold, or cleaning the pool. I'd go for an on site liner but that will double my budget!
Yeah this is with me doing the rendering. I'll have a friend on the mixing as it's got a really short pot life. Yes I looked at tiling, but I'd need the basecrete extreme on the foam anyway to make a base for the tile, then basecrete and then tile over the top. I wouldn't even want to price up what that would cost! I may consider a monochrome mosaic tile band for the top 300mm. But I think tiling would more than double the cost. But can't say for sure as I've not investigated it as an option!
@@RichDoesDIY I’m only considering tiling because it’s probably one of the best finished for longevity and visually I’m aware it would be more expensive but I’m a very competent with tiling and terrible at plaster/rendering this would lead me to blocks rather than icf I would think. 👍
@@dexter78-t1v Definitely, Blocks would be best with insulation placed around them maybe if it was going to Be heated. Tiling does look very nice. Have you seen Skin? Check out their website. Pools look nice
Hi Rich, how much did the icf cost you & did your structural engineer specify 8” over 6” blocks, also how much did the engineer charge please? Thanks, Michael
ICF was about £2300. SE was FOC as he's a family friend. He said 6 would be fine, I wanted it thicker though. Cost wise there's little in it. Block pools are normally 8" walls. I also wanted chunkier walls on the walls that are raised out of the ground for deeper coping. So I encouraged him to increase the spec !
@@RichDoesDIY thank you, I don’t blame you, all makes sense. And thanks again for the videos and information. I’m hoping to start very soon so the information is very helpful. I’m considering a monopour, did you consider that at all? Im not sure it’s a good idea but seems like it would speed things up and possibly save a little on pump/cement costs?!
@@Mike-cv6mga monopour is definitely the way to go. However In my opinion I thought the risk was too great. So opted for two separate pours. I would have saved a good few hundred on pump coats though. But if it failed in any way it would be extremely expensive to put right!
Learnt a lot Rich from this one.
Cheera Ben! Glad it was informative!
Cheera Ben! Glad it was informative!
Hi Rich, loving the content! Where are you purchasing the Basecrete in the uk? Have you done a course in plastering or self taught?
Thanks for the words of encouragement!
So I'm planning on ordering direct from Portugal. But they don't normally do that as they have a supplier network. But there may be a supplier in the UK being established soon. I'll post details when I know.
Re skill level. Self taught!
Thx for the videos.. I have been heavily researching how to build a similar pool but with block walls filled with concrete.
I’m also leaning towards the basecrete. I’m thinking squeegee on floor and spray on walls.. However there is 2 coats required, each 1/16 thick. So is that 4 coats total? Two for the basecrete xtreme and two for regular basecrete?
@@RJ-cc1fz Hi. Great. I'd have gone for block again if I was feeling up to the manual labour! Although this method is easier to keep warm
So I'm doing Basecrete extreme troweled on then basecrete on top. White with a pigment. And that's on EPS. Best bet would be to speak to a basecrete distributor. I spoke to them and they said two coats would be ok. Keen to know what they say. Let me know!
@@RichDoesDIY it’s so hot where I live, the water is almost to hot most of the year.. the block should help with cooling for me. Do you think I should be worried about the water freezing possibly cracking the block walls? It does freeze in the winter. Of course rebar and concrete in the block and backfill.. The sprayer seemed a lot faster and did a much better job at smoothing the product than a roller however trowel looked smoother aside from the trowel marks.. Those hopper sprayers are cheap and very easy to use. I certainly will get ahold of a basecrete representative when it’s closer to the project. I build homes for a living and there’s two homes I gotta do without pools before I build the next house for my family with the pool. Good luck to ya.
Hello Rich. I have been searching for options other than liner for an icf pool. Fantastic presentation, to the point and precise..
What is your opinion on porcelain tiles on top of basecrete extreme? Setting tiles will be less manual compared to applying basecrete or skim micro on top of the base.
Also can we use stucco on mesh to cement the icf wallls instead of basecrete extreme?
Hello, Thanks for the kind words. So I've not looked in depth at any tiling finishes. Mainly due to cost. Don't quote me on this, but when I spoke to the guys at Basecrete, they advised that I'd still need Basecrete extreme/basecrete, then Basecrete as a base layer before tiling anyway. Making the tile layer an added extra.
RE: Stucco, is that basically a sand/cement render? I know someone who has rendered their pool with a base coat of MAPETHERM AR1 GG with their recommended mesh, then a second coat of the same product. Then painted with Epoxy paint. Their pool is still going strong. My only concern with using a basic render product is the fact that there are no evidenced adhesion tests (to my knowledge) that demonstrate the products ability to adhere to EPS. Basecrete has these tests and they look good. I believe Basecrete is quite elastic when it is set. Making it ideal to go on a less than ideal substrate (eps)!
I would consider tiling the entire pool in large porcelain tiles as I'm sure it would look amazing. Would the grout lines get dirty over time or be difficult to keep clean?
@@RichDoesDIY : thanks for the detailed answer. I am more inclined to using large tiles as the final finish for reduced cost and less maintenance over the years
@@squeekhobby4571 what sort of M2 price might we be looking at for tiles? I'm quite keen on investigating the tiled finish. One drawback could be how slippery they would be when getting in and out of the ledge. Wouldn't it also take a lot longer to tile vs skim?
@@RichDoesDIY : you are absolutely right with skimming. My only point is if it is a small pool and if we can get porcelain tiles in clearance, probably we can use it as a finish. Some of the Porcelain tiles have rough surfaces.
@@RichDoesDIY : after your analysis, I am more inclined towards skim coat overall for better grip and time management. I am finding rough porcelain tiles for $3 per sft in clearance. Nadura is offering one sided icf with concrete facing inside that should be better for applying the skim coat
Rich have you looked at Tanking Slurry and Pool Paint? Would potentially save a fair bit
Hi Natalie, I haven't , have you got any links to more info on that method? Not heard of that method on EPS. Wouldn't tanking slurry be a bit thin and easily prone to cracking? As the EPS is soft ?
@@RichDoesDIY honestly I don’t know - I’ve contacted the team at Antel who do the slurry and paint system to ask for their recommendations. I am still torn between concrete blocks and the ICF but if there’s the option to use that or even ardex/gunite concrete mix first could still work out cheaper with a decent finish too
@@RichDoesDIY I saw this guy use this method but on a block pool and researching to see IF it can be applied to the ICF blocks. ruclips.net/video/VmUXSAP397g/видео.htmlsi=3lZHYcE_xno8uw7K
@@natalieactive ah cool. Julian at Antel specced out the last pool membrane I did from blocks. A really knowledgeable chap. Super helpful too. I think there are very limited proven products that work on EPS over time. Blocks are a tried and tested method ! This is a bit experimental!
@@RichDoesDIY good to know. Mine will be more the size of the pool at your last house (we’re in the same FB group) so maybe best to stick with concrete blocks (just means spending more overall with the kingspan). ICF blocks works out £600 cheaper vs Concrete Blocks and Kingspan.
Are you worried about molding in the non liner option? People on internet have complained about difficulty to clean green molds with a cement like finish.
Hi, not especially, my last pool had a cement finish and I didn't have any issues with mold, or cleaning the pool. I'd go for an on site liner but that will double my budget!
Is the costing for the materials alone with you doing the rendering or is that with a professional applying the render rich? Considered tiling?
Yeah this is with me doing the rendering. I'll have a friend on the mixing as it's got a really short pot life. Yes I looked at tiling, but I'd need the basecrete extreme on the foam anyway to make a base for the tile, then basecrete and then tile over the top. I wouldn't even want to price up what that would cost! I may consider a monochrome mosaic tile band for the top 300mm. But I think tiling would more than double the cost. But can't say for sure as I've not investigated it as an option!
@@RichDoesDIY I’m only considering tiling because it’s probably one of the best finished for longevity and visually I’m aware it would be more expensive but I’m a very competent with tiling and terrible at plaster/rendering this would lead me to blocks rather than icf I would think. 👍
@@dexter78-t1v Definitely, Blocks would be best with insulation placed around them maybe if it was going to Be heated. Tiling does look very nice. Have you seen Skin? Check out their website. Pools look nice
Hi Rich, how much did the icf cost you & did your structural engineer specify 8” over 6” blocks, also how much did the engineer charge please? Thanks, Michael
ICF was about £2300. SE was FOC as he's a family friend. He said 6 would be fine, I wanted it thicker though. Cost wise there's little in it. Block pools are normally 8" walls. I also wanted chunkier walls on the walls that are raised out of the ground for deeper coping. So I encouraged him to increase the spec !
@@RichDoesDIY thank you, I don’t blame you, all makes sense. And thanks again for the videos and information. I’m hoping to start very soon so the information is very helpful. I’m considering a monopour, did you consider that at all? Im not sure it’s a good idea but seems like it would speed things up and possibly save a little on pump/cement costs?!
@@Mike-cv6mga monopour is definitely the way to go. However In my opinion I thought the risk was too great. So opted for two separate pours. I would have saved a good few hundred on pump coats though. But if it failed in any way it would be extremely expensive to put right!