Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan · CF61
Pebble dash repairs, re-dashing and cleaning for Llantwit Major homes facing the open Glamorgan coast, from older cottages to estate semis.
Llantwit Major sits just back from one of the most exposed stretches of the Glamorgan coast, and the houses here feel it. Wind and rain come in across the Bristol Channel with little to slow them down, and pebble dash on the more open walls takes a steady battering year after year.
The town itself is a blend of old and new. There is a historic core of stone buildings and narrow streets, ringed by the estates and family homes that grew up in the second half of the twentieth century, many of them finished in dash from the start. Plenty of those coatings are now reaching the age where cracks, loose patches and staining start to appear.
We help homeowners and landlords in Llantwit Major keep their walls weathertight and looking cared for. That might be a quick crack repair, a matched patch, a clean and repaint or full re-dashing. We will explain what we find and give you honest options to choose from.
The old town grew around its ancient church and has a good number of stone cottages and houses, some limewashed or rendered. Around that core, Llantwit Major expanded considerably after the war, partly because of the nearby airfield at St Athan, and large areas of bungalows, semis and terraces were built with pebble dash or roughcast finishes.
Here, exposure is the deciding factor. Homes on the seaward side and on higher ground take wind-driven rain and salt from the south and west. That has a few predictable effects on dash:
On the older stone properties there is the added question of breathability. A cement dash that cannot let moisture out can leave the wall behind it damp, which is worth knowing before any work is planned.
For repairs that last on this coast, we cut back to sound material, use mixes suited to the exposure and wait for properly dry, mild spells to apply them.
On the town's many bungalows, re-dashing is a popular choice because the walls are low and manageable, so a whole-house refresh can be achieved without large scaffolds. Our re-dashing service covers stripping failed sections, preparing the background and applying new dash in a closely matched or completely new aggregate.
Where the coating is sound but dull or discoloured, painting pebble dash can be a cost-effective upgrade. For homes where the owners want a smoother look, we can discuss rendering over pebble dash with a modern render system.
Good to know
Often, yes. If only some areas have come loose, we cut those back to sound render and re-dash them. If tapping shows most of the coat is hollow, re-dashing the whole bungalow is usually the better option. Bungalows are relatively quick to work on, which helps keep disruption down.
Once a year is sensible, ideally in spring after the winter storms. Look for new cracks, bulges, missing pebbles and damp patches inside. On seaward walls in Llantwit Major, catching a small crack early can stop water working in and save you a much larger repair later on.
Yes. On older stone buildings we take extra care to understand the wall before doing anything, and we favour breathable materials. Parts of the old town may be within a conservation area, and some buildings are listed, so please check with the Vale of Glamorgan Council before changing an external finish.
It can be, as long as the dash is sound and the right paint is used. A good-quality, vapour-permeable masonry paint will help shed water and freshen the look. Coastal homes may need repainting a little more often, so we will give you an honest idea of what to expect.
Yes. We work across Llantwit Major and the surrounding area, including St Athan, Boverton, Llanmaes and the coastal villages. Many of the homes around the old airfield are of a similar age and construction, so we see similar faults and know the repairs that tend to suit them.
Services
Every service below is available in Llantwit Major and the surrounding area. Tap one for the full details.
We arrange a time to look at the property, starting with the walls that face the sea and the prevailing wind. We tap the dash to find hollow areas, check joints around windows, doors and roof edges, and look inside for any signs of damp. If you want repairs to blend in, we bring aggregate samples to hold against the wall.
We then talk through access, whether ladders, a tower or a scaffold suit the building, and where we can park. Work is booked around dry, mild weather. We protect your garden and paths and clear up thoroughly. To book, phone 07565 147 170 or use our contact form.
Reviews
Reviews from local customers will appear here.
Had a job done by us? Leave a review — it only takes a minute.
Case studies
A painted 1930s semi with cracks running from the front window corners and a damp patch inside. We traced the cause, repaired the cracks and repainted the front elevation.
Typical job exampleRead the case study
A terraced house facing Swansea Bay with hollow render across most of the front. Patching would not have lasted, so we stripped and re-dashed the elevation to match neighbours.
Typical job exampleRead the case study
A post-war semi with several blown areas around pipes and below sills. We patched them using a blend of aggregates sampled to match the existing natural dash.
Typical job exampleRead the case studyFAQs
We cannot give a fair figure without a survey, as the price depends on the area involved, how much dash is loose, the height of the walls, access and whether you want a matched repair, a repaint or full re-dashing. After our visit we provide a clear, itemised quote.
We will get it as close as we can. Older dash fades and weathers, and the original stone may be hard to find, so a perfect match is not guaranteed. We test samples first and, if there is likely to be a visible difference, talk through painting or re-dashing the full elevation.
It depends on the size of the bungalow, how much old render must come off and the weather. Each coat needs time to set before the next, and we only work in suitable conditions. We will give you a realistic timescale with your quote and keep you posted on progress.
It is possible, but removal can damage the brick or block underneath, and the wall then needs a new finish. We survey first and explain what is likely to be revealed. Our removal page explains the process and the things to weigh up before deciding.
Usually not for the work itself, which is all external. During the survey we may ask to look at internal walls if you have noticed damp, as that helps us understand what is happening. We will also need access to an outside tap or water supply for mixing and cleaning.
From the blog
Preparing for a Pebble Dash Job: Scaffolding, Neighbours and TimingA little planning makes any pebble dash job run more smoothly. Here is what to expect with scaffolding, neighbours, permissions and the weather.Read more 
Why Pebble Dash Cracks in Welsh WeatherRain blown in off the Atlantic, frost on the hills and salt on the coast all test pebble dash. Here is how weather causes cracking, and how to slow it down.Read more 
Can You Paint Pebble Dash? What to Know Before You StartPainting can transform tired pebble dash, but it is a long-term commitment. Here is what to consider, how to prepare and which coatings suit Welsh walls.Read more 
Repair, Re-Dash or Render? Choosing the Right Option for Your WallPatching, re-dashing and re-rendering all have their place. This guide explains when each makes sense, what they involve and the questions to ask before deciding.Read more 
Cleaning Pebble Dash Safely: Why Soft-Washing Beats the Jet WasherAlgae and moss love damp Welsh walls. Here is how to clean pebble dash without blasting the stones off, and how to slow down the green coming back.Read more 
How to Tell If Your Pebble Dash Needs RepairingA walk round the outside of your house can tell you a lot. Here are the simple checks that show whether pebble dash is sound or starting to fail.Read more Free survey and a clear written quote anywhere in South & West Wales.