Gunite Hose Selection: Part 1
Updated: May 2, 2023
Gunite contractors choose the best available gunite hose for their job by weighing a range of factors, including the diameter of gunite hose, manufacturer, length, cost or other specs, such as formulation of the gunite hose. Let's zero in on just one of these criteria by looking deeper at the hose specification or formulation.
Many times, this spec is really what amounts to the contractors experience, good or bad, with using a particular gunite hose versus another. As they say, "if it aint broke, don't fix it" Many contractors know from experience that a particular gunite hose is best suited to the type of gunite material in their region. Most often this factor comes into play with very harsh, abrasive sands in areas close to the ocean. For example, in Florida the sand used in the gunite process is very abrasive due to the high content of sea shells within the sand. The gunite hose must be able to hold up to the elements and remain in service for as many hours as the gunite contractor expects.
Gunite hoses that are most abrasion-resistant tend to be more rigid than other gunite hoses which may be more flexible gunite hoses. This dual nature of gunite hoses presents a further choice for the gunite contractor. They often want to give their gunite nozzleman the most flexible gunite hose to allow them to work with as much ease as possible while providing a stronger hose in other areas of the job. For this reason, gunite contractor will often mix and match hoses in the project to use a stronger hose connected to the gunite machine and for long runs of hose. Then they may use the more flexible gunite hose for the connection at the nozzle. Considering a 200 ft run of gunite hose lengths, this gunite contractor may use three gunite hose sections, or 150 ft, from the gunite machine and then a final flexible 50 ft section at the nozzle for the benefit of the gunite nozzleman.
Once a contractor finds their preferred hose, that hose manufacturer often becomes a requirement on their future jobs. Some refer to this as the gunite hose being "spec'd in". That is, the gunite contractor or gunite pool builder has "specified" that their purchasing department places future purchase orders using the same hose spec, which could be listed as the hose part # or other specific name or product code from the manufacturer.
Gunite hose manufacturers also provide technical data about the makeup and other characteristics of the hose. Interestingly enough, this technical data about the gunite hose is referred to as specifications or, you guessed it, specs! Some of the more notable specs include descriptions of the tube (interior) and cover (exterior), info about a reinforcement layer in the hose, temperature range, inside diameter, weight and working pressure.