Can you remove pebbledash?
Pebbledash is a dated design which many homeowners are looking to remove, yet often struggle to do so as it is not a straightforward task. If you’ve got pebbledash removal woes, then our guide should help you to remove or improve the look of your exterior walls. What is Pebbledash?
Does removing pebbledash damage brickwork?
The removal of render or pebbledash could cause damage to brickwork Its a fact brick may be damaged when taking off pebbledash or render What can be done with the walls once pebble dash has been removed? can you render over pebbledash.These are some of the questions we get asked.
Is it possible to render over pebble dash?
It is possible to render over pebble dash, as stated in the previous issue, but typically not directly. Pebble dashing is normally not ideal for straight render on top of it due to its rough finish, so it should either be removed/smoothed over or covered with external wall insulation boards first.
Why won't my pebble dash finish come off?
If the backing render coats are not solid and they fail, then whatever is applied to it will also come away. Also if the pebbledash has been painted a good key may not be possible. Cracks can form in the old pebble dash layer and appear through the new finish.
How do you modernize pebbledash?
If the home owner wants to completely get rid of the pebbledash, it can be rendered. This can be with a coloured render, which saves on repainting, or sand and cement render, which will need painting once it's on the house. A professional builder will remove all the old pebbledash and render over the bare bricks.
Can you cover pebbledash?
A beneficial way of covering over pebbledash is by installing external wall insulation boards over the top of your pebbledash. Before applying any insulation to the pebbledashed substrate, it needs to be examined and checked, and pull-out tests will need to be carried out.
Does pebble dash devalue a house?
This has led to many experts stating that it can actually devalue a property due to this. Understandably, this has led many people to want to provide a more modern look to their property by either removing or painting their pebbledash render.
Do you need planning permission to remove pebbledash?
If you live in a listed building or a conservation area, then you will need to get permission for any changes from your planning department. Otherwise, you shouldn't need planning permission to remove pebbledash. However, if you are having your property re-rendered it is possible building regulations will apply.
Can you render over the top of pebble dash?
Technically speaking, you can render over the top of pebble dash as long as it isn't damaged. However, there are a number of reasons why this isn't recommended: It could add unnecessary stress to the walls. If the backing render coats are not solid, they could fail.
Is painting pebble dash a good idea?
Unfortunately, with such a rough, bumpy surface, pebbledash isn't really suitable for painting. The various peaks, troughs and sharp edges are a nightmare to paint – and the results are rarely good. On top of that, paint is never a long-term solution outside your home.
Why do houses have pebble dash?
So what is pebbledash, when did we start covering our homes with it, and is it beautiful or beastly? The modern variety is a mixture of sand, cement and pebbles or aggregate (crushed stones), applied to the exterior of houses to protect them from the vagaries of British weather.
Does Pebble Dash cause damp?
One of the main causes of penetrating damp is the occurrence of spalling brickwork, cracked cement render or pebble dash, or the face of bricks blown and detached from the surface, allowing water to soak into brickwork or substrate.
What happens when you use a poor quality render mix?
When a poor quality render mix has been used usually the render that holds the dash breaks down and becomes friable and powdery. On a solid wall house, hard sand & cement renders (concrete mixes) are too rigid, they are unable to accommodate movement within the building, they are also unable to breathe.
What is used for pebble dash?
Most pebble dash jobs and old renders will be installed from “made on site” sand and cement mixes.
What is a dash receiver?
They are known as dash receivers. Usually, polymer-based they can be coloured to match the aggregate, i.e. white coloured dash render for a white dolomite pebble. Dash receivers are less prone to shed off the aggregate but some loss of pebble will still happen to a degree.
What happens when you freeze thaw a house?
Freeze-Thaw cycles soon break down the finish, creating hollows within the render and exposing your home to potential damage.
What is used to remove brick?
Removal usually involves the use of light mechanical chisels and some “elbow grease” usually the brick or stonework is chipped in the process. This is not a problem if the wall is going to be rendered or refaced in brick, in fact, the scutching marks on the bricks provide an additional key, aiding the bond of the new render. Although care should be taken, do not be too concerned about damaging the brick surface during the removal process. If in places some of the backing render is very hard, some small areas can be left in place
Can pebbledash be used on solid walls?
Old metal rusting corner beads that may have been used in the original dash render can quickly spoil any new render or paint you apply. If the pebbledash is of a concrete material (which it mostly will be) it will not breathe, on solid walls, this may cause problems, going over the top of the pebbledash or render finish even in a vapour permeable ...
Can cracks form in pebble dash?
Cracks can form in the old pebble dash layer and appear through the new finish. Definition and neat angles can be difficult or impossible to form, detail such as corners, window frames, stone or brick features etc can get swallowed up and buried in the new render finish. Old metal rusting corner beads that may have been used in ...
What Is Pebbledash?
Pebbledash involves literally throwing smaller stone fragments onto wet mortar on an external wall, which is then pressed in. Conversely, rough-cast rendering requires the mixing of larger stones or pebbles in with the cement and sand, prior to applying it to the walls. The latter creates a smoother finish which is usually painted or limewashed.
Can I Remove Pebbledash Myself?
Removing pebbledash is a difficult and long, drawn-out process. That’s not to say it can’t be done. But from what others have said, it’s a bit of a minefield. Of course, if you were an expert in rendering property, you wouldn’t be asking the question. You’d know it’s not something that just anyone can do.
What is a properly executed rendering job?
A properly executed rendering job will involve removing the existing pebbledash and rendering over the bare bricks. Having new render applied on top of the existing finish will add unnecessary stress to the walls.
How long is pebbledash good for?
Pebbledash is usually good for around 20-40 years, so it’s possible that it’s beginning to crumble away, which will need rectifying. Pebbledash rendering is designed to protect the outer shell of your house. Which means if it’s cracking or dropping off in patches, it’s exposing the house to potential problems with damp.
Is it easy to remove pebbledash?
Removing pebbledash is not easy. But it isn’t impossible. It’s a labour-intensive process using hand tools, and the brickwork would need to be cleaned in order to restore it to its original state.
Does scaffolding cost disposal?
In addition to labour, scaffolding where appropriate and material costs, there may be charges for disposal and any clean up required
Can you paint mismatched surfaces?
You can hire someone to repair any damaged surfaces, however, this will cause problems with mismatched areas. It is possible to have it painted, but given the texture of the surface, this in itself is not easy.
What was the purpose of the coarse surface?
The coarse surface (usually sand and cement coated on walls, with buckets of small stones thrown onto the wet mortar by hand) was used extensively in the housing booms after both world wars, when materials were in short supply and homes needed to be built quickly. A low-cost weatherproofing material, it meant that poorer-quality bricks could be used; or, from the 1950s, that it could cover up blockwork construction.
When did pebbledash become popular?
Pebbledash enjoyed a resurgence in the 1970s as a low-maintenance overlay for period houses, including our beloved Edwardian and Victorian brick homes. It can
Can pebbledash be removed?
The low-cost weatherproofing material can be removed, but it invariably involves renovating or covering whatever is underneath. Many architectural features are “love it or loathe it“ — but not this one. Pebbledash is pretty much universally hated.
What Is Pebble Dashing?
Pebble dashing is a modernized version of a Roman-era rendering technique that involves stippling exterior walls with a mixture of quicklime and sand.
How to Apply Pebbledash on Your Wall?
Pebble dashing is a form of wall covering that is most commonly found on exterior walls. Pebbles are tossed and pushed into two coats of a lime and sand "foundation." As a consequence, a wall covered in small, smooth pebbles can be formed. Some masons consider pebble dashing to be an art form, and they can create their base coat blend.
Can You Remove Pebbledash from a House?
If you already have a pe bble dash on your property but want to change it up, you have a few choices. One of your choices is to forcefully cut the dash and strip down to the house's foundation. This is possible, but it is challenging (we often suggest hiring a professional) because it also necessitates brute force, which can destroy the brickwork underneath.
Can You Render Over Pebbledash?
It is possible to render over pebble dash, as stated in the previous issue, but typically not directly. Pebble dashing is normally not ideal for straight render on top of it due to its rough finish, so it should either be removed/smoothed over or covered with external wall insulation boards first.
Is It OK to Paint Pebbledash?
Painting pebbledash with conventional painting tools is possible, but it can be difficult. Because of the texture of the dash, it can be difficult to cover the entire wall, but it is possible with the right knowledge, application, and patience. External wall rendering, on the other hand, can be added and painted in any colour.
Is Pebbledash Waterproof?
Pebbledash seldom lets water in as long as no damp proof courses are crossed. To further minimise the chances of a water leak, a waterproof additive is often applied to the render. In case you don’t know, pebbledash was originally used to shield homes from water damage in many situations.
What Are the Advantages of Using Pebble Dashing?
There are many benefits of using a pebble dash finish on the exterior of a home. Some of them are the following:
