Pembrokeshire · SA67
Inland and slightly sheltered, Narberth still sees plenty of rain. We repair and renew pebble dash on town houses, estate homes and rural properties around the town.
A lot of the dash we are asked to look at in Narberth is not dramatically damaged. It is tired: hairline cracks, a few patches that sound hollow when tapped, stains running down from sills. Left alone, those small signs become larger repairs, so a visit at this stage often saves money later.
Narberth is an inland market town, set back from the coast but still in the path of west Wales weather. Its housing ranges from older properties along the main streets to twentieth-century estates, bungalows and farmhouses in the countryside around it. Pebble dash appears across all of them.
We repair cracks and hollow areas, renew whole walls with fresh dash, clean off algae and staining, and advise on rendering over dash where a different finish would serve the house better. Older buildings get particular care, because the right material matters as much as the repair itself.
The centre of Narberth has a good number of older buildings, many solid-walled and some with long histories. Several are rendered or painted rather than dashed, and some may be listed or in a conservation area. Moving away from the centre, you find twentieth-century houses and bungalows, along with farmhouses and cottages in the surrounding villages.
Inland Pembrokeshire is less exposed to salt spray than the coast, but rain still sweeps in from the west, and hilltop properties catch the wind. Valley-bottom homes stay damp longer and are prone to algae and moss on north-facing and shaded walls.
The way dash fails here depends on what it is fixed to. On later cavity-wall houses, the usual culprits are age, movement around openings and water getting in through cracks, then freezing. On older solid walls, the issue is often an unsuitable hard coating or repair that traps moisture in the wall, causing damp inside and loss of bond outside.
That is why we try to establish what a wall is built from before recommending a repair. For older stone or brick houses we often suggest breathable, vapour-permeable materials. For newer homes, a well-prepared, like-for-like repair usually does the job.
Small, early repairs are where we can often help most. Our patch repair service deals with hollow and damaged sections before they spread, using aggregate chosen to blend with your existing dash.
On walls where the old dash has failed over a wide area, a full re-dash gives a fresh, uniform finish. For shaded, stained walls that are otherwise sound, cleaning may be all that is needed.
Good to know
Usually, yes. Small cracks are the cheapest to fix and the easiest to match. Each winter, water and frost widen them and loosen more render. A survey now tells you whether you need a simple repair or whether there are hollow areas you cannot see from the ground.
Yes, we cover the villages and rural properties around Narberth, including Templeton, Robeston Wathen, Clunderwen and Princes Gate. If access is via a narrow lane or farm track, let us know so we can plan deliveries and scaffold.
It depends on the building. Some older houses suit a lime render or limewash better than cement-based dash. Others have been dashed for decades and simply need sympathetic repair. Listed buildings and conservation areas may need consent, so check with Pembrokeshire County Council before changing the finish.
The main working season runs from spring to autumn, when render can cure in dry weather above about 5°C. Surveys can be done at any time of year, so getting a quote in winter means you can be booked in early for the better weather.
We can. We work on farm buildings, workshops and business premises as well as homes. For larger buildings we plan access and phasing so you can keep working, and our commercial service covers landlords and businesses.
Services
Every service below is available in Narberth and the surrounding area. Tap one for the full details.
We go round each wall, tapping the dash to identify any hollow areas and checking for cracks, staining and signs of damp. We look at gutters, downpipes, sills and ground levels, because the cause of a failure is often nearby rather than in the dash itself.
We talk you through the options and, for repairs, show aggregate samples to judge the match. Access, scaffold and parking are planned before the job, and work is booked to suit the weather. At the end we clear away dust and debris. You can book a survey by calling 07565 147 170 or through our contact page.
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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 look at the size of the area, how much render is hollow or damaged, the height of the work and whether scaffolding is needed, the wall underneath and the finish required. Rural access can also play a part. Our quotes set out what is included so you know what you are paying for.
We aim to blend repairs as closely as possible, using the nearest available aggregate. On older dash the original stone may be discontinued and weathering changes colour, so a perfect match is not always possible. We show samples first and are honest if a difference is likely.
Often, yes, if the existing dash is sound or can be made sound. We can apply a smooth or textured render, including modern systems. Our rendering over pebble dash page explains the options.
They may. Re-rendering a large proportion of a wall can trigger requirements to improve its thermal performance. Rules can change, so we recommend checking with building control before a major job. Small repairs are generally not affected.
Yes. We protect paths, windows and plants while we work, and at the end we remove debris, sweep and wash down so the property is left clean.
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.