Don't Let ASR Ruin Your Home's Value.We Core, Confirm, and Cure.
Professional ASTM & ACI Certified Testing for Austin Pools. Unlike rapid "gel tests," we provide lab-certified data to secure your property's pool shell.
- 500+
- Cores Extracted
- 100%
- Lab Certified
- 48hr
- Site Response
- 2018
- Established
Alkali-Silica Reaction
What Is Pool Cancer (ASR)?
ASR is a slow, destructive chemical reaction inside concrete that is often called “pool cancer” because it spreads beneath the surface long before it becomes visible.
What It Is
Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) happens when alkalis in cement meet reactive silica in aggregate. The resulting gel absorbs water, expands, and cracks the concrete from the inside out.
Why Pools Suffer
Constant exposure to water, chlorine, and temperature cycles accelerates the reaction. Pool decks, coping, and gunite shells are especially vulnerable because they stay damp year-round.
Warning Signs
Map cracking, spider web patterns, flaking or spalling, gel exudation on the surface, and tiles or coping pulling away from the beam are all red flags that ASR may be active.
Why Act Early
Once ASR starts, it cannot be reversed. It can only be managed or removed. The earlier it is confirmed, the more options you have to protect your investment and your home's value.
The Diagnosis Matters
Surface-level observations and rapid “gel tests” are not enough to distinguish ASR from other pool failures such as freeze-thaw damage, sulfate attack, or poor initial placement. The only way to confirm ASR with certainty is to extract a core and examine it in a certified lab.
Visible gel pockets and reaction rims under a petrographic microscope
ASTM C856 compliant petrographic examination
Documentation that holds up with insurers, attorneys, and buyers
A clear remediation path based on chemistry, not guesses
Letter from the Founder
Liability vs. Asset
The cheapest "fix" is rarely a fix at all. It's a delayed problem that compounds every year you own the home.
"Burying a failed pool isn't removing the problem—it's burying a liability. A mysterious patch of dirt kills property value. We help you rebuild correctly, eliminate the ASR issue, and keep your investment."
The Front2Back Team
Founders · Central Texas
The Standard of Proof
F2B Certified Coring vs. Competitor Quick Tests
One produces evidence. The other produces guesses. Here's the difference where it counts.
| Criteria | F2B Certified Coring | Competitor Quick Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Certification | Lab Certification ASTM C856 / ACI Compliant | None — visual only |
| Depth of Analysis | Depth of Analysis Forensic petrographic exam | Surface gel reaction |
| Insurance / Legal Admissibility | Insurance / Legal Admissibility Yes — court & claim ready | No — anecdotal |
| Long-term Structural Reliability | Long-term Structural Reliability Verified to slab depth | Inconclusive |
The Diagnostic Pipeline
From symptom to certified resolution.
Step 01
Detection
Visible spider-web cracking, discoloration, or 'concrete cancer' symptoms. Most homeowners spot ASR years before it's confirmed — we know what to look for.
Preliminary Diagnostic
Free Eye-Test: Send Us Your Pool Crack Photos
Not sure if it's ASR? Upload photos of your pool deck, coping, or shell. A certified F2B specialist will return a remote preliminary evaluation within 72 hours — no obligation.
- Reviewed by ASTM-trained specialists
- Photos remain confidential
- We respond by email or phone within 1-3 business days
Ready when you are