Painting pebbledash can transform a tired, outdated exterior, that will add value and appeal to your home. It’s not an easy job, but competent DIYers will be able to take on the challenge.
It's a time-consuming task rather than a difficult one, especially if you are looking to paint the whole exterior of your home. As with a lot of painting projects, preparation is the key. You will need to clean, fix and prepare before painting a house.
By its very nature pebbledash is not a smooth surface so you will need the right tools and patience to get a good finish. If you don’t have the time to get the best finish, consider getting a professional to do the job.
Here we give you a step-by-step to make sure that you paint your pebbledash properly to get a good-looking, long-lasting exterior that will transform your home.
- Masonry paintbrush
- Long pile roller
- Paint
- Roller extension pole
- Dust sheet
- Ladder
- Masking tape
- Window covering
Painting Pebbledash: A Step-By-Step Guide
1. Clean and fix
The first step is to remove dirt and debris from the surface you are going to paint. This can be done with a stiff brush. Alternatively, you can jet wash the walls to get rid of ingrained dirt.
Next, inspect the pebbledash and check for any areas that are damaged. Fill with a mortar repair cement for small cracks. For larger areas you might need to get in a professional to do some pebbledash patching to match with the current pebbledash.
2. Prepare the area
You will need to mask off any doors, windows and areas you don't want getting paint on. Masking tape and paper will do the job. Put down dust sheets on the ground to catch any paint splashes.
You might want to think about wearing hard-wearing gloves to prevent scratching your hands on the uneven surface.
3. Put on first coat
Pebbledash has an uneven surface so the first coat will be the most time-consuming. Use a 4-inch masonry brush or masonry block brush and work the paint into the pebbledash, making sure that all areas are well covered.
Start at the the top of the section you are going to paint and work across. If right-handed start on the right, if left-handed start on the left. If using a ladder don’t forget to have someone standing on the bottom. Leave to dry as manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Add the top coat
The second coat will be easier to apply as a base coat is in place. For this use a 9-inch long pile roller — sometimes called a masonry roller. Follow the same pattern as the first coat.
For the lower parts you can speed up the process by putting the roller on a pole extension.
Can Pebbledash Be Painted?
Yes it can, but it isn’t the easiest surface to tackle. First you need to make sure that it's in good condition. If not, it will need to be repaired to ensure that no water can get under the pebbledash. If there is damp behind the render it needs to dry out first otherwise it will cause the paint to peel and flake.
To get the best finish – and make it easier for you – you will need a specialist long pile roller and a masonry brush to apply the paint.
Is Painting Pebbledash a Good Idea?
The look of unpainted pebbledash isn’t considered the most attractive and will date your home. Applying a coat of contemporary coloured paint will give the outside of your home a fresh new look that brings the exterior up to date. The value and kerb appeal added usually outweighs the cost to paint a house.
It also adds another layer of weather protection, but you will need to maintain it to make sure that it stays looking good. Typically you will need to think about repainting every five to 10 years.
What Paint Can I Use On Pebbledash?
You will need a good quality exterior masonry paint that is waterproof and breathable. Dulux Weathershield Masonry is a good choice as it is microporous and comes in a wide variety of contemporary colours — or check out one of our picks of the best masonry paints.
You will need at least two coats, so make sure to get enough paint when purchasing.
Can I Spray Paint Pebbledash?
Yes you can spray paint pebbledash. But, if you are looking to paint the exterior of your house there’s more prep involved. You will need to mask off any windows or doors before you start. Depending on what type of property you live in you might need to mask off neighbouring walls as well.
You will need to pick dry wind-free days to do the job. Spray can be easily carried on the wind and land on neighbouring property, cars and elsewhere where it’s not wanted.
Also bear in mind that you'll need to invest in one of the best paint sprayers or hire one, if you don't one already; the latter will be more cost-effective unless you paint on paint the interiors too.
It’s not a simple DIY job, so you might want to think about getting a professional in to do the job.
Do I Need Permission To Paint The Outside Of My Home?
Typically you don’t need planning permission to paint the outside of your home. However, if you live in a listed building or on designated land then there will probably be rules in place that you need to adhere to.
Check with your local authority. They are unlikely to stop you painting your property, but they might restrict the colour and type of paint you can use.
