Thin-coat silicone render over pebble dash

The job

This bungalow near the seafront had grey, weathered pebble dash streaked with algae and salt. The owners wanted a cleaner, more modern look that would cope with the coastal weather. Tapping showed the dash was mostly well bonded, but there were hollow areas at two corners and below the front windows. The windowsills were shallow and would end up too short once new render was added.

What we did

We cut out and repaired all the hollow areas first, so the new system would be going onto a sound background. The wall was cleaned to remove algae and salt deposits. We discussed sill extensions with the owners and arranged for them to be fitted. A levelling coat was applied over the dash to fill between the stones, followed by a base coat with reinforcing mesh. New beads were fitted at corners and at the base. The thin-coat silicone top coat was applied in a calm, dry spell, as the system requires, working to wet edges for an even texture.

The result

The bungalow now has a smooth, through-coloured finish that sheds water well. The extended sills throw rain clear of the new render. The owners were advised to give it an occasional gentle clean and to keep an eye on it after winter storms off the sea.

More about our rendering over pebble dash service and our work in Porthcawl.