If you are the owner of a pebble tec pool, you no doubt already know that you need a mix of matching pebble tec patches to perform most repairs. Pool technicians can cost a fortune, and an effective patch or repair can often be done with the right materials (which can be easily purchased on the web) and without the added cost. Here are some guidelines to get started with your DIY pebble pool repair project.

  1. Determine the amount of pebble tec repair mix you will need for your project.
  2. Once you have everything together, make sure the area you will be working in is clean and dry (lower the water level in your pool if necessary).
  3. Study the instructions on purchasing your product. If the product you obtained is not a ready-to-use variety, be sure to follow its directions carefully for the proper consistency.
  4. Tapping the area around the crack with a hammer will expose the hollow cells and let you know how much of the pre-existing pebble material needs to be removed around the crack to make a lasting repair.
  5. Tap the area to expose the underlying substrate with a hammer and large chisel (find one designed for this type of job) and continue tapping around the area to find more hollow areas until you find no more.
  6. Use a 4 “masonry blade on a 4” grinder to saw the edges cut down so they don’t chamfer or skew (always wearing the proper protective equipment – goggles, gloves, etc.). You can also continue to use your hammer and chisel to do this, however, is not that fast and accurate. Ideally, it should have worked at least 1/4 “for a good head.
  7. Leaving the work area smooth does not always allow for the most effective bonding. To solve this problem, cut crisscross grooves in the underlying substrate with the grinder or rough with the chisel.
  8. Rinse and scrub the area of ​​loose dust and debris, using a sponge to remove excess water.
  9. Apply the prepared pebble mixture with a trowel or with your hands to fill in the area in need of repair and smooth so that it is flush with the surrounding area. Use a rounded edge trowel to level the area, removing excess repair material from the repair area. Holding your trowel against the existing pebble surface acts as a guide as you remove excess pebble material to obtain levelness at the edges.
  10. Sponge the edges to fill in the gaps. While you wait for the material to harden, you can clean up any loose material; It is not recommended to use a hair dryer or anything else to speed up the drying process. Once the material is stiff to the touch (confirm this with the product label), use a hose with a mild sprayer or bug spray to remove any excess cement and expose the pebble. Use a sponge to clean up any excess repair material around the repair area.

For in-pool repairs, let it sit overnight before refilling the pool (or per product instructions).