Renewing or replacing pebbledash?

[annemarie601]

We would like to sell our Edwardian house but the marketing photo showed up lines on the front of the house where I used lime in the mix when filling in historic settlement cracks, 2 under and 1 over a window. These came out lighter than the surrounding pebbledash. We are concerned that this may put potential buyers off and so we are considering our options. The pebble dash seems sound (not blown) and a honey colour which suits the house/period. Can we brush off the loose stuff, leave the existing render intact and use as base coat and then apply sloppy render and pea gravel? It seems a shame and would be time consuming to hack off reasonable render if this is not necessary. Or would it be necessary to remove the existing render/dash? I would prefer not to paint the pebbledash.

 

[roughcaster]

To roughcast/pebbledash onto a "sound existing pebbledashed surface" can be done without any problem at all,,, guaranteed.... Certainly no need to remove it. It is a good key to work on and as long as most of the loose chips has been removed that's fine. It doesn't need much preping, so don't overdo the brushing..... You will have to think about the window reveals too, whether you leave them as they are, or what. It's just to keep the colour looking the same........Once the wall is prepared/loose chips brushed off, the old roughcast would be "soaked" with water from top to bottom, and allowed to drain off. An "external grade" PVA (diluted as per instructions) is then brushed onto the old roughcast, and the whole "wet" wall surface re-roughcasted,,,,, just like that. It is a job that doesn't take long to do, but is not normally a diy job, plus it will probably involve scaffolding of some kind. Ask around for a few quotes....... As long as the old settlement cracks have been well repaired, and haven't moved since,,,,,,,, but you're right, pebbledash/roughcast doesn't look the same painted.

Roughcaster.

 

[annemarie601]

Thanks Roughcaster

We're getting a pro in for the skilled stuff. We'd like to get as close to the original honey colour using sand/cement (and lime as per original?) and pea gravel. Do you know the mix and how much we'd need for approx 15m2?

 

[roughcaster]

You're right in getting a tradesman in to do your job Annemarie. You only want to do it once. The mix for the job would probably be 4.1.1/5.1.1, sand,cement,lime but your tradesman would know exactly what quantity, mix, and pea gravel/chips to use, to give you a similar colour to match what you have. A lot of roughcasting is done using white cement (Snowcrete) mortar, but it is often the colour of the chips/gravel used that gives the roughcast it's overall colour/look. Even the colour of the sand can make a difference....There are also cement dyes that can be used to colour mortar..... I'm guessing here, but I think yours would be a light/white background with a honey/yellowy chip, giving a honey coloured looking roughcast.

Roughcaster.