ASR Concrete in Pools: What Agents, Home Owners, & Buyers Should Know

Aug 29, 2024

When buying or selling a home with a pool, it's important to understand ASR (Alkali-Silica Reaction) Concrete. ASR occurs when chemicals in the pool's concrete react with certain aggregates, causing cracks that weaken the structure. If ASR is detected, the only solution is to demolish and rebuild the pool. In this article, we will get into the options for buyers and sellers if there is ASR concrete detected.

Key Takeaways

• ASR Concrete is primarily an issue for pools constructed between 2019-2022. While it is possible to appear in pools built outside of those years, these are the pools of primary concern.
• The early stages of ASR typically appear within 1-5 years after construction.
• While a buyer or homeowner can determine reasonable certainty about the existence of ASR in a pool, the only way to know with 100% certainty is to send a core sample for testing, which is costly at roughly $5000 per test.
• There is currently no proven remedy for ASR and an affected pool must be demolished.
• ASR (Alkali-Silica Reaction) causes cracks in concrete that compromise pool integrity, requiring complete demolition and rebuilding if detected.
• Regular home inspectors typically can't diagnose ASR, so it's crucial to hire a specialized pool inspector if ASR is suspected.
• If ASR is present or suspected, sellers should disclose this to buyers and consider conducting a pool inspection before listing to avoid complications during the sale.

What is ASR Concrete?

When dealing with properties that feature pools, it's crucial to understand the implications of ASR (Alkali-Silica Reaction) Concrete. ASR concrete occurs when chemicals in the pool's concrete react with certain aggregates, causing the concrete to crack in a honeycomb pattern. These cracks weaken the pool structure and compromise the structure. If ASR is found, the only solution is to demolish and rebuild the entire pool.

What if ASR Concrete is present?

After a pool is built it could take up to one to two years for these cracks to start presenting themselves. Each case is different and sometimes it can be as soon as a couple of months. If ASR cracking is found, the only solution is to demolish and rebuild the pool—there are no exceptions.

For Home Buyers

• Inspections: Most home inspectors can not diagnose a case of ASR Concrete but the telltale signs of honeycomb cracking can lead to suspicions of it. Make sure to request a pool inspector if you suspect the pool may have ASR concrete or if it is cracking. Regular home inspectors won't catch this issue—only a specialized pool inspector can diagnose it. To diagnose the pool, an inspector will need to take “core samples” which would cause the pool to drain and be unusable.

For Home Sellers

• Transparency: If your pool might have ASR, be upfront with potential buyers. Conducting a pool inspection before listing your home can help you address this issue early on.
• Mitigation Costs: Since the only solution is a complete rebuild, this could affect the home’s value. You might need to reach out to the insurance company or the pool contractor to see if they will cover the costs of rebuilding in certain cases.
• Disclosure: Legally, you may need to disclose any known ASR issues to potential buyers. Doing so can prevent complications during the sale process.

Do you have a leak in your pool and you need to determine the cause? We recommend:

• Mike w/ McTarga Leak Detection / (512) 998-1188 / https://poolleakaustin.com/
• Brent Bailey // A+ Pool Leak Detectives // (512) 431-6268 // https://APoolLeak.com