Is painting pebbledash a bad idea

[rock god]

I live in a 3 bed Victorian semi. It was pebbledashed by the previous owners around 15 years ago. I am looking at the options of what to do about this as budget is an issue. Getting it removed and re-rendered in a more period style is one expensive option, painting over it is another (by far the cheapest) . However, I've been told that both these options might encourage damp as they don't allow the walls to breathe. Is this true? Simply removing the pebbledash isn't an option as the bricks will be damaged (we've had this checked by our conservation officer). We also had someone from Wethertex saying (unsurprisingly) that the best option is to get a treatment like theirs (expensive and not that nice to look at) which will protect and insulate the building. I'm confused! Can anyone help?

 

[middi]

IT is unfortunate that your cottage like so many others of that era were later pebledashed, your CO is right it will damage the bricks if you try to remove it, if you have no damp problems at the moment anything else you add to the exterior is not going to add to the breathing mechanism of the wall and it is likely to make it worse if anything.

Only limewah is likely to keep the status quo.

You can use modern exterior " breatheable" paints to brighten up the appearance and it will more than likely be OK, ...BUT...., bear in mind that it can only make things worse and no better.

Definetely keep away from from suppliers that tell you that their paints will seal the building, no moisture will penetrate and it won't need painting again. THAT would be a big mistake on the long term.

 

[rock god]

Thanks for that - I'll look into a lime wash option.

 

[Moo]

If it was pebbledashed only 15 years ago it's almost certain that it was done with cement, so whatever you put on it isn't going to make much difference either way.

But before you go down the painting path, I strongly suggest you have a look at other houses with painted pebbledash. Sure it looks bright and sparkling at first, but after couple of years it can look awfully grubby and you're faced with either living with it or doing it all over again. Painted or not, it still looks like pebbledash.

Why not concentrate on keeping the woodwork looking really smart, and conceal as much of the pebbledash as you can with climbing plants.

 

[rock god]

It's quite a dark house though, very small windows, most of the wall is north facing so a lot of plants don't grow down the side well (I've tried this) so anything that brightens it up has to be an improvement... it's terminally depressing just looking at it. If it was just the front it would be fine! Thanks for making me think about it though.

 

[Lynn]

I'm in the middle of limewashing my SEE-ment stucco home. So far I like it a lot and I learned a lot from this thread

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6303&highlight=

If you want further clarification on things you could add it there. I planned to bring the thread back up when I finish, but the foul weather has kept me inside. Maybe by the end of the week I will have pics and results.

Mind your back is all I have to say...

 

[NT]

Pebbledash looks harsh, but painted pebbledash is surely much worse. Its a recipe for grubbiness and muckiness. You only need one type of plant to grow on it, and there are climbers that will tolerate quite heavy shade, such as some ribes (choose ribes with some care, if at all . Will sour cherry not grow on it? I'd ask a gardening group for some ideas. Theres a pink leafed kiwi that would probably go there too, iirc.

NT

 

[Moo]

And hydrangea petiolaris. And if all else fails, ivy will grow anywhere and comes in lots of jolly colours.

 

[Lynn]

I thought plants growing on stucco/brick is a bad idea. Leads to structural trouble, cracks, water seeping in.

 

[rock god]

That was definitely my impression re ivy, that's why i didn't consider it.

 

[Moo]

If ivy damages your pebbledash it could be doing you a favour - eventually it might all drop off of its own accord.

 

[NT]

Most climbers dont do any damage, as long as you keep them off the roof. Ivy there is some discussion over, its generally reckoned it moves in on existing damage rather than causing damage. The one plus of ivy is the phenomenon some of us are unfortunately familiar with, 'structural ivy.'

But ivy is not a good choice for other reasons too. Its too slow growing for something that will need to be cut off at times for maintenance. And deciduous is whats wanted, ivy's winter time shade increases winter heating energy consumption. The winter shade can also exacerbate damp problems.


NT

 

[elm]

I know it's yet more cement, but is it posible to skim the surface to give a smoother appearance?

 

[Lynn]

Someone skimmed our house some years back...probably to cover cracks, etc. I could post pics if you want some ideas.

 

[Moo]

Rather than paint, you could attach white/cream-painted trellis as a support for climbing plants. That way the whole wall would be brightened, and there would be no risk of damage by self-clinging plants.

 

[rock god]

Thanks for all this. Skimming is possible but as it's a semi detached with a difficult to reach side it is very expensive as it would need scaffolding. In that case it would almost be worth removing it all and re-rendering in a rustification style more in keeping with the period. Unfortunately as an option that'll take quite a few years to save up for...

I hadn't really considered a light coloured trellis as again, it's painting maintence but actually, I guess that's a real possibility, I'll look into it, thanks.

 

[NT]

All options mean cost of installation plus cost of maintenance. Thats one of the very few beauties of pebbledash. Perhaps quartzdash would satisfy both requirements, look ok as well as be zero maintenance.

NT