Nasty Pebbledash

spengos · 23 Jun 2014 at 20:41

I've got a section of pebbledashed wall on the front of my house. I was thinking of ways to make it look a bit better. Is it possible to plaster/render over it to make it smooth, then paint it, or should I just paint it?

Any builders or decorators here that know what's involved? Could I do it myself?

malfunkshun · 23 Jun 2014 at 21:13

There are bits missing at the top from where it was patched to change the window and because of the depth of the window sill you will need to take it off before you could properly render it smooth. Patching the faults at the top is an option but the repair may well stand out like a sore thumb once paint is applied.
Personally I would remove and replace it like for like, but that's just me.

4T5 · 23 Jun 2014 at 21:24

Cheap way - Knock up your on pebble dash mix & fill the holes in with it then paint it Magnolia/Any other colour.

Pants down way - Get a builder round to chip it all off a render it then paint it.

teejay73 · 23 Jun 2014 at 21:27

Depends how good you are! Personally, I would either take off the existing dash work and smooth render it. Reason being is that if you try and add more render to it, then the added weight will expose any blown parts of the render and create more problems long term. by looking at the top, under the sill, it seems that it has blown all the way. If you don't know what's involved then find a good plasterer who can rectify it. If he/she thinks he can smooth render over that, then I would walk away.

Best job, take it back to brick and let someone more qualified to smooth render it. Will likely need new drip beads etc. You could also put new dash on it, I personally like canterbury spar dashing, looks so much nicer.

Cosmic182 · 23 Jun 2014 at 21:36

Behind the render most likely is stud/lath, not brick. If you're looking for a cheap fix, patch it yourself and paint. want a more permanent more professional finish/look, get someone in to knock it off and re-render/pebbledash. A reliable builder should only take a day or so.

teejay73 · 23 Jun 2014 at 21:44

Cosmic182 said:
Behind the render most likely is stud/lath, not brick. If you're looking for a cheap fix, patch it yourself and paint. want a more permanent more professional finish/look, get someone in to knock it off and re-render/pebbledash. A reliable builder should only take a day or so.

Quite right, it would more than likely be timber stud on a bay front

spengos · 23 Jun 2014 at 22:50

Excellent, thanks for all the advice. Think i'll get a builder round to give me a quote then. If it turns out to be a pricey job then i'll leave it. I really just want something quick and cheap that looks good so we can add a bit of value to the house before selling next year.

pitchfork · 24 Jun 2014 at 08:05

Is there such a thing as nice pebbledash. I often wonder who thought "Hey let's cover your house in cement and stones, that'll look nice"

Take it off and render it then paint it would be my vote, you could theoretically do it yourself but it'll be a lot of grief if it's your first time rendering.

boxman2000 · 24 Jun 2014 at 08:52

Rip it off, it's hateful stuff and simply does not look good. Rendering on top of it is storing up problems in the future (my parents had this done and the plaster started cracking/crumbling after a few years.

Gilly · 24 Jun 2014 at 10:09

Get rid, then get a smooth render.

bitslice · 24 Jun 2014 at 22:33

spengos said:
I really just want something quick and cheap that looks good so we can add a bit of value to the house before selling next year.

If the other houses in your street have the same finish you will be crucifying the street appeal of your house by changing it.

There is always one in every street, puts up stone lions, fake cladding,, cuts the hedge down, replaces sash with upvc

Ignore the peasants above, they all live in Barratt homes and wouldn't know a period feature if it slapped them.
Pebbledash suits certain 1920-30's houses perfectly.