how to pebble dash?

What material do I need to repair fine cracks in my pebble dashed exterior walls

John Egan
July 2011

If I'm only patching very small areas- less that 6" x 12" and the house has previously been painted over the pebble dash and I'm not confident about mixing mortar can I just use some exterior filler and stick some stones in? maybe mixing it all with some PVA?

Angus
September 2010

hire a pro

big dibs
July 2010

HI
does it need to be sharp sand or washed sand for the scratch coat and top coat ? thanks in anticipation

willy
May 2010

The way we done it was following, cleaned the wall section what needed to be done. fitted the mesh to the existing render, applied an sloppy but sturdy first level, making sure that the mesh is well covered back and front, let dry till near dry, fit the second layer smootly over it let near dry, fit the third layer more wet then the two before and with the pebbles in it. That was done as first repair when a large window was removed 7 years ago, and it still looks perfect, we have now done the previous patio door, now a wall, we hope that it will last indeed at least ten years.

gerardus kholinger
April 2010

paint an exterior unibond on the area you intend to dash first

john yearley
October 2009

Make sure the brickwork is sound, p.v.a area,mix 4:1 sand and cement with waterproofer.Apply mortar to wall,make sure mortar is about half an inch below desired effect,leave it for a while then scratch the surface.Allow a couple of days for mortar to set.Dampen area with water then apply same ratio mortar mix, make sure your below pebble level.Once mortar is applied cast pebbles. Job done!!!!!!

Captain Spread
August 2009

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL PARTNERS OF THOSE WHO PEBBLEDASH YOUR PLACE OF ABODE!!

1)I REALLY REALLY MEAN IT - HIRE A PEBBLEDASHER - GET THE WALL READY - DO NOT LET YOUR
PARTNER BEGIN THIS MISSION.
2)NUMBER ONE FAILED BECAUSE YOUR PARTNER THINKS HE KNOWS IT ALL.
3) IF THE JOB HAS BEEN STARTED ON SATURDAY SO THAT YOU CAN BOTH USE SUNDAY AS A DAY OF REST/OTHER ARRANGEMENTS FORGET IT.
4)SUNDAY MORNING - UP EARLY, EVEN THOUGH NEITHER OF YOU RETIRED UNTIL LATE ON SATURDAY DUE TO CLEARING UP AND OBSERVING THE DRIVE SAND STAINED, PARTS OF YOUR CARS STAINED AND IT WONT EVEN WASH OFF WHILST THE PEBBLEDASHER WHO THOUGHT HE KNEW IT ALL IS IN A FOUL MOOD, HAS SWORN MORE THAN EVER AND NEXT DOOR HAS HEARD IT: HE GOES OUT TO INSPECT SATURDAYS WORK - HERE WE GO AGAIN - THE CEMENT HAS DROPPED - THE COLOUR IS DIFFERENT TO THE PEBBLEDASHING ON THE OTHER WALL - THE STONES ARE A DIFFERENT SIZE - WORST OF ALL PARTS OF IT WILL 'HAVE TO BE HACKED OFF AND DONE AGAIN' WHILST HE CARRIES ON DOING THE OTHER PARTS OF THE WALL HE THOUGHT HE WOULD GET DONE AND FINISHED SAT.
5) DO THE HONOURABLE THING AND COOK THE PEBBLEDASHER A PROPER SUNDAY BREAKFAST SO HIS STOMACH FEELS GOOD BEFORE HE STARTS AGAIN AND IT GIVES YOU A GOOD EXCUSE TO STAY OUT OF HIS WAY WHILST YOU WASH UP.

6) LAST HINT TO 'CARL - OCTOBER 2007' - YOU GOT IT THE WRONG WAY ROUND - YOU WILL BE VERY LUCKY IF 10-15% STAYS ON AND THE REST FALLS OFF!

UNDERSTANDING AND PISSED OFF PARTNER - LYNDSAY
July 2009

all is good advice but the stone need to be wash or it will not stick as the stone its self can be dusty

masterplaster nick kerwin
February 2009

use a catapult

bob ths builder
April 2008

the above bloke has got it mostly right. If it is external (which i assume it is as pebble dash in doors just sounds too wierd)
then romove any old plaster (hammer and chisel) use a stiff brush to clear any debris (not wire) from area preassure wasshers are good, then patch any obvious areas with chunks missing with sand and cement first. once dry add the pva other guy stated,

then add 1 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick coat evenly and level on the area.

score this with a scarifyer or scratch it with edge of trowel etc all over add pva again then add a thicker second coating sloppyer (this is the hard bit getting the right consistancy) too sloppy and it slides, then use a machine to fire the pebles in to the second coat or use a hurling trowel throwing at 46 degrees and commence swearing proffusesly until finished :-). please make sure if exteranl you are adding a plastaciser/waterproffer to your coatings to void damp. and pick the mortar colour to suit your house.

Carl (Cap Services(Bolton))
October 2007

Hi Darren. Make sure the area involved is free of dirt etc. Prime the area with pva glue diluted withg water 1 part glue to five parts water. Allow to dry the add glue 1 part to 3 parts water and apply a sloppy mix of mortar. Once applied use a scoop or suchlike to throw shingle into the mortar mix. About 10 /15% falls off naturally but the rest stays on.

philip nugent
September 2007