Pebble Dash Removal for External walls

Sep 14
09:32

2012

mehboob talukdar

mehboob talukdar

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Pebble dashing is a stucco method for external walls. Pebbles 1/8 to ¼ inch in size are applied to the outside of a wall. Pebble dashing a wall is a two man job as one will plaster the wall while the other throws pebbles at the wall.  The worker who throws the pebbles must throw them with enough force and skill so they become lodged in the plaster.

 

Over time your pebble dashing will begin to chip and it is advisable to remove any damaged pebble dash to prevent bad weather from damaging the underlying wall. You will need to get a construction specialist to inspect the wall before you perform any pebble dash removal as the pebble dashing may be covering up a wall that has been badly constructed. It is imperative you check it is safe to remove before proceeding.

 

Many houses in the 1930’s were pebble dashed so that cheaper bricks could be used. In post war housing pebble dash was over used and obtained a bad image. Due to the lack of skilled bricklayers after World War II pebble dashing was brought back as a way of covering up poor brickwork,Pebble Dash Removal for External walls Articles especially on council estates. Houses that were pebble dashed some years after construction were unlikely to have this done to cover faults but more because the owner thought they were being fashionable. In the Sixties and Seventies pebble dash salesmen would target neighbourhoods using marketing techniques that are similar to the techniques salesmen use today to sell double glazing and solar panels; if you don’t buy it you will be left out.

 

The ease with which pebble dash removal will take place depends on how well it was applied in the first place. If the mortar joints were raked out and the wall were properly wetted before the first render coat then chances are it will be impossible to remove. If it was done without care and in warm weather, without wetting down, then it may come off a lot easier. Some of the pebble dash may have already delaminated and you can check for this by tapping and listening for a hollow sound.

 

There are many companies that specialise in pebble dash removal and it is a good idea to get estimates from a few different companies.  Be aware that these companies will probably want to include rendering or applying a textured coating in the quote as any exposed brickwork will not be in a state to be painted on directly. Other firms may grind or sandblast the exposed brickwork, rake out the mortar joints and repaint which will leave a wonderful finish but will be very expensive, thousands of pounds!