Pebble Dash Render has been in use in the UK for many years. In certain areas of the country you will definitely have seen some – or many – homes with a pebble dash render finish. This continues to be a highly popular way to finish the external walls of a home, and it’s not hard to see why. The “pebbles” neatly cover any existing poor quality brick work, whilst also offering weather protection to the property. In fact in Scotland many new homes are still built with a pebble dash render finish. Here at Westville our team of rendering installers deal with pebble dash regularly, and often get many questions from people about the finish. So, we’ve decided to answer some of the most common pebble dash questions for you below.
What Are the Advantages of Pebble Dashing My Property?
There are several advantages to applying a pebble dash finish to the outside of a property, these includes:
- It is a low maintenance finish, with little upkeep required
- It’s very hard wearing, and will last a long time
- It is an easy way to cover old, tired, or poor quality looking brick work
- It improves water shedding properties, and protects the houses foundations from adverse weather.
Can You Remove Pebble Dash From a House?
If you have pebble dash on your property but would like a change, then you have a couple of different options. One of your options is to attempt to forcibly remove the dash and strip back to the base of the house. This is possible but can be very difficult (we always recommend you choose a professional) as it often requires brute force, and can then damage the brick work underneath. The best, and much easier, option is to insulate and then render over the pebble dash. 20mm (or thicker) external wall insulation boards can be installed over the top of the pebble dash, and then a coloured render applied. Not only does this completely cover the pebble dash and transform the look of your property, but the insulation will dramatically improve the warmth of your property and cut your energy bills by £400+ per year.
Can You Render Over Pebble Dash?
As alluded to in the previous question, it is possible to have render over pebble dash – but usually not directly. Due to the rough finish of pebble dash it is usually not suitable for render straight on top of it, and therefore it should either be removed/smoothed over first, or covered with external wall insulation boards. We always recommend insulation as it helps you to save £400+ from your energy bills, and it’s great for the environment too!
Is It OK to Paint Pebble Dash?
It is possible to paint pebble dash, but doing so with traditional painting tools can be tricky. The texture of the dash means that it can be hard to get a full covering across the whole wall – although it is possible with the right skills, application and patience. Alternatively, external wall rendering can be applied and painted in any colour that you choose.
Is Pebble Dash Waterproof?
As long as no damp proof courses are bridged, then pebble dash very rarely lets water in. Often waterproof additive is added to the render to even further reduce the chances of a water breach. In many cases, pebble dash is actually initially applied as a way to protect a house from water damage.
Can You Power Wash Pebble Dash?
Pebble dash is strong, however high pressure power washing can erode it way, chipping away at the pebbles and leaving an uneven, damaged finish. Pebble dash is low maintenance, but when it comes to cleaning it we recommend that you use a low pressure source of warm water along with PH neutral detergent. This will help you to clean away any stains or mould and leave your walls looking as good as new. These are some of the most commonly asked questions about pebble dash finishing, however if you have any more questions, or would like to get pebble dash installed on your property, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly expert rendering team who will be happy to help you every step of the way.
What Does Pebble Dash Look Like & What are the Alternatives?
There is a wide variation of beautiful finishes that pebble dash & other render can provide to your home, along with the other benefits too.
See here for examples of what pebble dash render can look like on your home, along with the other rendering finishes available – Rendering a House Before & After – The Results