How pebbledash is made, and why it fails
Pebbledash is a render with small stones thrown onto it while it's still wet. There's a base coat on the wall, then a top coat with the stones thrown into it while it's wet. When pebbledash fails, it's almost always that render underneath letting go, not the stones themselves.
The usual causes are age, water getting in behind through cracks or failed sills, and frost working on any gap it finds. Pebbledash that's been painted with a non-breathable coating can also trap moisture in the wall behind it. You'll see it as bald patches where the stones have dropped off, cracks running across the wall, or areas that sound hollow when you tap them.
Your options
| Option | When it makes sense | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Repair | Damage is limited and you're happy with the look | Patches can show on unpainted dash; easier on painted |
| Paint | It's sound but tired | A cheap refresh; doesn't fix failing render underneath |
| Cover with render | You want a modern look, or it's failing in many places | A new finish over the old; the wall gets slightly thicker |
| Strip and re-render | The render underneath has failed across the wall | Most work and disruption; can damage the brick |
Repairing pebbledash
If most of the pebbledash is sound, the damaged areas can be cut out back to firm edges, re-rendered and dashed with new stones. The honest catch is matching. Old pebbledash has weathered, and finding stones of exactly the same size and colour isn't always possible, so a repair on unpainted dash can show. On pebbledash that's already painted, it's much easier: once the patch is painted, it blends in.
For general render problems that aren't pebbledash, see our page on repairing cracked and blown render.
Covering pebbledash with render
This is what most people want: a smooth, modern finish without stripping the whole wall back to brick. It's very often possible, but it depends on what's underneath being sound.
The wall is checked first, tapping across it to find any hollow areas. Anything loose comes off and gets built back up. Loose stones are knocked off. Then the wall is prepared so the new render can grip a surface that's uneven by nature, usually with a levelling coat that fills between the stones and gives a flat base. From there, the finish can be traditional sand and cement render, painted, or a through-coloured system such as monocouche or silicone.
Things to think about before covering
Covering pebbledash adds thickness to the wall, and that has knock-on effects:
- Window sills need to project far enough to throw water clear of the new render.
- Reveals around windows and doors get slightly deeper.
- The base of the wall still needs to stop above the damp-proof course, with a bellcast bead.
- Fixings for downpipes, lights, cables and satellite dishes come off and go back on longer.
- Neighbours, if you're in a semi or terrace, will see the line where your render meets theirs, so it's worth a conversation first.
Why not just strip it off?
It sounds like the cleanest option, but taking pebbledash off often damages the brick or block underneath, and you then have to render it anyway. Stripping only really makes sense when the render under the dash has failed across most of the wall. If that's the case, we'll tell you.
Painting pebbledash
If the pebbledash is sound and you're mainly after a fresh look, a good masonry paint is the cheapest way to get it. It won't fix cracks or hollow render, though, and those need repairing before any paint goes on. It's also worth knowing that once pebbledash is painted, you'll be repainting it from then on.
Planning permission
Covering pebbledash changes how a house looks. In most places that's fine, but in conservation areas, on listed buildings or where an Article 4 direction applies, it can need permission. Planning Portal explains when rendering the outside of a house needs planning permission.
Frequently asked questions
Can you render over pebbledash?
Often, yes, if the render underneath is sound. Loose areas are removed and built back up, then a levelling coat goes on before the finish.
Can you match my existing pebbledash?
We'll get as close as we can, but matching weathered stones exactly isn't always possible. On painted pebbledash, a repair is much easier to hide.
Is it better to remove pebbledash or cover it?
Usually cover it. Removing it often damages the wall underneath. Stripping only makes sense if the render beneath has failed widely.
Can I just paint my pebbledash?
Yes, if it's sound. Paint freshens it up but won't fix cracks or hollow areas, so repair those first.
Do I need permission to cover pebbledash?
Sometimes, especially in conservation areas or on listed buildings. Check before work starts.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Send us photos of the walls and tell us whether you'd like to repair or cover them, and we'll come back to you with a free quote.
Fed up with your pebbledash?
Send us a few photos of the walls, close up and from the street, and tell us what you'd like to do. We'll come back to you with the options and a free quote. See all our rendering work in Haywards Heath.
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