PEBBLECRETE / MATERIALS & KNOWLEDGE
Application Techniques
Plan the work beneath and around the pool finish. These checks help the project team prepare for professional application.
What needs to be ready beneath the finish?
A decorative finish depends on the construction beneath it. PebbleCrete does not replace structural repairs or the project’s required waterproofing system.
Before finishing begins, check the condition of the shell and render and agree the preparation and bonding requirements. Weak or detached render must be addressed before it is covered. Investigate cracks to establish their cause and whether they are moving; the repair or joint detail must respond to that finding.
The project specification should identify how the pool will be made watertight and confirm compatibility with the finish system. A decorative coating must not be treated as a remedy for an unexplained leak. Complete the specified waterproofing and water testing at the agreed stage, and record acceptance before the relevant work is covered.
Coordinate fittings, lights, drains and overflow edges before the finishing visit. Complete nearby dusty or heavy work and clean the pool and associated tanks. Confirm that circulation equipment works and that suitable filling water is available. Measure clearances with the intended finish thickness allowed for, so covers and fittings will still fit. Mixing, exposure and startup must follow the current approved method.
Before the application visit
| Check | Project-team action |
|---|---|
| Sound substrate | Investigate moving cracks and weak or hollow render; agree repairs and acceptance before covering them. |
| Waterproofing and water testing | Confirm the specified system, compatibility and responsible party; record completion and acceptance. |
| Fittings and levels | Check lights, drains, covers, fittings, steps and overflow levels before the finish changes clearances. |
| Other construction | Finish nearby dusty or heavy work; prevent later debris, impact and chemical contamination. |
| Pool and tanks | Remove construction debris and clean associated tanks and circulation areas. |
| Filling and operation | Arrange suitable water, working circulation equipment and the agreed startup handover. |
Practical lessons from pool projects
These nine photographs from our earlier technical library show why preparation and handover matter. Each photograph is paired with its corresponding lesson. Select a photograph to view the original image in full.
View the original site photographs
The explanations below update those lessons. Use current project documentation for application and startup; historical captions and demonstrations may describe earlier practices.
Aggressive acid cleaning
Concentrated acid left on a cementitious finish can damage its surface. Agree a cleaning or repair procedure for the actual condition; do not experiment with stronger acid or prolonged contact.
Debris in sumps, tanks and drains
Clean the pool and associated water-storage and circulation areas after construction. Debris left outside the visible pool can return when filling or circulation begins.
Unfinished work around the pool
Complete nearby dusty and heavy work before the finish is applied. Plan protection against later debris, impact and chemical contamination.
Exposed steel and cracks
Investigate exposed reinforcement and cracks before covering them. The repair detail must address the cause, movement and project specification; one repair material is not a universal answer.
A dirty working area
Keep access and the application area clear and clean. Remove construction materials and contamination before the finishing team starts.
Covers and fittings that no longer fit
Check grilles, screens, drains and other fittings with the intended finish thickness allowed for. Resolve clearances before application.
Dirty filling water
Do not fill a newly finished pool with dirty or contaminated water. Check the water source, storage tanks and delivery hoses before the finishing date. Clear-looking water still needs appropriate testing; retain the results to help assess staining risks.
Damage across different pool surfaces
Marks, damaged grout or deteriorating surfaces need investigation of the water history, construction and affected layers. A finish should not be assumed immune to aggressive chemistry.
Using a finished pool for storage
Keep tools, building materials and debris out of the completed pool. Coordinate filling and handover with the approved startup programme.
Project videos
Original footage from the earlier technical library: a filling example and brush exposure. These short archive clips show parts of past projects; they are not the complete current application or startup procedure.
Filling a new PebbleGlass pool
An earlier filling example. Confirm the water source, cleanliness and approved startup arrangements before the finish is applied.
Brush exposure on site
An earlier on-site demonstration. Confirm the exposure method for the exact material with the current approved application documentation.
Technical documentation for the project
Public planning guidance and the detailed application method serve different purposes. Before installation, obtain the current instructions for the exact material and agreed system, and confirm the applicator understands the requirements.
| Document or information | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Product information and safety data | The exact product or component, revision and supplied package. |
| Approved application method | Preparation, materials, mixing, exposure and startup for the agreed system. |
| Project responsibilities | Who supplies cement and other components; who accepts the substrate and waterproofing; who carries out application and startup. |
| Test evidence, where required | The method, tested surface or assembly and the limits of the reported result. |
| Site records and handover | Approved sample, material and batch details, observations and startup/care records. |
Detailed mixing ratios, exposure procedures and day-by-day startup instructions are supplied through the approved project documentation. Confirm the current revision with your project team before work begins.