In short
- Pebbledash can be rendered over if it is well bonded to the wall; it must be tested across the whole wall.
- The method is clean, prime, apply a levelling base coat with mesh, then the finish system.
- Hollow, cracked or loose pebbledash must be removed first.
- Extra thickness means sills, reveals and the base of the wall must be checked.
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How to tell if it is sound
The contractor should tap the whole wall with a hammer or trowel handle, listening for a dull, hollow sound, and mark any hollow areas. Cracks, bulges and areas already patched are warning signs. If more than a modest proportion is hollow, stripping becomes the better option.
The render-over method
- Remove loose stones and hollow areas; cut back to sound edges.
- Clean the surface, including any algae.
- Apply a primer or bonding agent where specified.
- Apply a levelling base coat to fill the texture, with alkali-resistant mesh embedded.
- Fit beads at corners, reveals and the base.
- Apply the finish system: typically silicone thin-coat.
Watch-outs
- Thickness: the new render adds depth, so sills must still project with a drip.
- Damp-proof course: old pebbledash sometimes runs to ground. Cut back and use a base bead.
- Painted pebbledash: check that the paint is well adhered; loose paint must be removed.
Stripping instead
Stripping takes the wall back to brick or block. It adds removal cost, skips and dust, and can damage brick faces, but it lets you start with a clean substrate. See pebbledash removal.
Costs compared
| Route | Extra over rendering a clean wall |
|---|---|
| Render over sound pebbledash | Levelling base coat and primer |
| Strip and re-render | Removal around £10 per m², skips, brick repairs |
For a three-bed semi, stripping can add well over a thousand pounds once skips and repairs are included, before any unexpected brickwork. See the cost guide.
Painted pebbledash
Many Surrey houses have pebbledash painted several times. Paint that is flaking or chalky prevents a good bond and must be removed or stabilised. Some systems specify a particular primer over painted surfaces. Ask the contractor to test adhesion on a small area.
Partial pebbledash
On houses with pebbledash only on the upper storey and brick below, you can render the pebbledash only, or the whole house. Rendering the whole house gives a cleaner look; keeping brick below retains character and reduces cost.
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to render over pebbledash than remove it?
Usually. You avoid removal and skip costs, though the levelling coat adds some material and labour.
Will render over pebbledash crack?
Not if the pebbledash is sound and the base coat is meshed. Rendering over hollow pebbledash will fail.