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Pebble dash was added to many South London homes to cover tired brick or save on maintenance. Today many owners want the original brickwork back. We strip the pebble dash, repair and repoint what is underneath, and clean the brick, so the finished wall looks like it belongs to the house.
07429 912 873
Get in touch with Brick Cleaning South London to discuss your project and request a free quote.
Cracks and bald patches
Stones are falling away and the coat underneath is showing.
Hollow areas
A hollow sound when you tap the wall means the coat has lost its grip on the brick.
Damp and staining
Water gets in through cracks and can't dry out, leaving damp patches inside or green streaks outside.
A dated look
You want the house to match the brick fronts on the rest of the street.
These finishes look alike from the street, but they are made differently, and that changes how they come off.
Small stones are thrown onto a wet render coat and pressed in. The stones sit on the surface, and the base coat underneath is usually a hard sand and cement mix.
The stones or gravel are mixed into the render before it goes on. This gives a lumpier, more uniform texture, and the coat is often thicker.
A type of pebble dash that uses crushed spar or decorative chippings. It is often lighter in colour and finer in texture.
All three are removed with the same careful approach, but thickness and bond affect how long the job takes. If your wall is smooth rather than stony, render removal is the service you need.
07429 912 873
Usually, yes, but no one can promise what is underneath until the coat starts to come off. Pebble dash was often applied to hide something: worn brick, patched repairs or a mix of materials. Some walls were also scored to help the render stick.
We look at the wall before we quote and explain the likely outcomes, so you can decide with your eyes open. If you are still weighing it up, our guide on whether pebble dash removal is worth it covers the pros and cons.
We check the finish, how firmly it is bonded, any signs of what is underneath, and the access.
Windows, doors, paving, planting and neighbouring surfaces are covered before work starts.
The pebble dash and its base coat are taken off in sections with hand and mechanical tools, working to protect the brick face.
Damaged bricks are replaced with matching ones, and joints are raked out and repointed.
Residue is cleaned off the brick, the site is cleared, and we walk round the finished wall with you.
Some repair work is normal after pebble dash comes off. It is part of the job, not a sign that something has gone wrong. These are the three most common fixes
The mortar behind pebble dash is often weak or recessed. Repointing with a mortar matched to the brick makes the wall weathertight and gives it a crisp, even finish. Pointing and repointing
Cracked, chipped or scored bricks are cut out and replaced with matching ones, so repairs blend in rather than stand out. Brickwork repair and restoration
Render residue and old staining are cleaned off so the colour is even across the whole elevation. Brick cleaning
We plan these alongside the removal, so you get one quote that covers the finished wall, not just the stripping.
07429 912 873
Every wall is priced on its own merits. The main factors are
Wall area
How much of the house is covered, whether that is the front only, a side wall or the whole property.
Type and thickness of the coat
Thick roughcast takes longer than a thin pebble dash coat.
Condition of the brick
How much repair, repointing and cleaning the exposed wall needs.
Access
Whether the work needs a tower or full scaffolding.
Your quote breaks these down, so you can see where the cost sits before any work begins.
See recent jobs where we have stripped pebble dash, repaired and repointed the brick, and finished the wall.
We work only on brick and stone, so the method suits your wall.
We tell you what we expect to find and what it may need, before you commit.
Removal, repairs, repointing and cleaning are planned together, in the right order.
Windows, doors, paving and planting are covered, and the site is cleared every time.
You see what each part of the work costs before anything starts.
07429 912 873
Send us a few photos of the wall and tell us what you would like it to look like. We will explain what to expect underneath and send a clear quote for the whole job, from removal to the finished wall.
07429 912 873
If the coat is cracked, hollow or letting in damp, or you want the original brick back, it usually is. It depends on what is underneath and how you want the house to look. Our guide on whether pebble dash removal is worth it goes into more detail.
It will show its age and may need repairs, repointing and cleaning. Once those are done, most walls look like original brickwork again, with an even colour and crisp joints.
In most cases, yes. The mortar behind pebble dash is usually weathered or damaged by removal, and repointing keeps the wall weathertight. We include it in your quote where it is needed.
It creates dust and debris, so we cover windows, doors, paving and planting before starting, and clear the site when we finish.
If your property is listed or in a conservation area, check with your local council first, because removal changes the look of the building.