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Pebblecrete pool resurfacing
Rough on feet, stained, losing pebbles or growing black spot? We turn a tired pebblecrete pool into a smooth, seamless fibreglass finish.
What it is
What is pebblecrete?
Pebblecrete is a render applied over the concrete shell of a pool, made from cement with small pebbles mixed through it. Once it's applied, the top layer of cement is washed back to expose the pebbles, giving the pool its textured, speckled look. It is also known as an exposed aggregate or pebble finish.
Pebblecrete is tougher than marblesheen, but it is still a cement-based finish. The cement between the pebbles is porous, and the pool water works on it over time.
Signs it's due
Common pebblecrete problems
Rough on hands and feet
As the cement between the pebbles wears away, the pebbles stand proud and the surface grazes knees, toes and swimwear.
Pebbles coming loose
Pebbles drop out and end up in the pool, the skimmer and the filter, leaving pits in the surface.
Staining and discolouration
The porous cement soaks up stains from leaves, minerals and metals, and the colour fades unevenly.
Black spot and algae
Algae and black spot grow into the rough, porous surface between the pebbles, where they are very hard to brush out.
White crust and calcium
White calcium deposits leaching out of the surface show that water is getting into or behind the render.
Drummy and lifting areas
When the pool is empty and dry, hollow-sounding areas show where the render has come away from the concrete.
Our system
How we resurface a pebblecrete pool
We treat pebblecrete the same way we treat any concrete pool.
- We drain and protect the pool and let the surface dry.
- We tap the whole pool and remove every loose and drummy area back to sound material.
- We re-render those patches level with the surrounding surface, then grind and wash the whole pool to give a sound bonding profile.
- We laminate the pool in fibreglass matting with vinylester resin, followed by a vinylester base coat.
- We finish with a UV-stabilised gelcoat in your chosen colour.
The gelcoat is the working layer. It is the surface that meets the water, and the barrier that keeps the water away from the fibreglass underneath. Nothing porous is left in contact with your pool water.
Questions
Common questions
Can you resurface over pebblecrete?
Yes. Sound pebblecrete stays in place as the base. We remove loose and drummy areas, re-render them level, grind and prepare the whole surface, then bond our fibreglass system to it.
Will the new surface still feel rough?
No. The pebble texture is covered by fibreglass matting, a base coat and a gelcoat finish. The result is smooth on hands and feet.
Can you just replace the pebbles that have come loose?
Patches of new pebblecrete don't match the weathered finish around them, and the rest of the surface is just as old and porous. A full resurface fixes the whole pool in one go.
How long does it take?
Most residential pools take about a week on site, weather permitting.
