What are the Benefits of Upgrading my Pool to a Pebble Finish?

Upgrading Using Pebble Technology

Considering a pebble finish for your pool? You’ve probably determined you have many options when it comes to pool finishes. We’ve been remodeling pools since 1969, and we see that pebble finishes have many benefits including design choices, longevity, low maintenance and you avoid problems such as mottling or blotchiness.

Custom Finishes & Color Options

When remodeling a pool many homeowners are looking to enhance the look of their pool with texture and colors.. You can achieve a variety of looks depending upon the pebble finish. We recommend PebbleTec® because it’s the original pebble pool finish that uses superior and time-tested technology. Mining pebbles from all over the world, this product comes in 18 attractive colors, so you’re guaranteed to find one that fits your backyards’ style.

A Long Life

Pebble finishes like PebbleTec® offer superior longevity compared to many other finishes. On average, it can last 25 years or more. Traditional plaster finishes need to be replaced every eight to twelve years because the material is porous and susceptible to cracking and chipping. For beauty and longevity, we find that a pebble finish is an excellent choice for homeowners looking to balance cost and material life expectancy.

Low Maintenance with a Pebble Finish

As with anything related to your pool, maintaining water quality and chemical balance is extremely important. In general, a pebble finish is generally resistant to staining. It also requires less cleaning than traditional plaster surfaces. Plus the non-slip nature of the pebbles makes it easier to clean.

If you choose a pebble finish, be particularly aware of calcium hardness (CH) levels in your water. Calcium and/or mineral buildup can damage the finish if proper chemistry isn’t maintained. Over time, crystalline buildup of inorganic materials or calcium scale can occur. It’s difficult to remove; it requires draining the pool and an acid wash application. So while a pebble finish is considered low maintenance, you still need to keep a close eye on water quality and chemical balancing.

Pebble Size

Another feature to keep in mind is the smooth nature of the pebbles used in PebbleTec®; they are naturally tumbled so the stones don’t snag bathing suits or chafe skin when enjoying the pool. The smaller the pebble, the smoother the finish. Larger aggregates (pebbles) can be a little rough. In the industry we refer to this as “texture.” When you choose the texture of your pebble finish, smaller aggregate is better for pools where sports or active children are playing. While it provides some traction for the feet, it’s smoother for tender skin.

Mottling Is Less Apparent

Mottling refers to the spots or blotches of when adding dye to pool plasters or quartz finishes. Mottling can range from light to very severe, and is unpredictable from pool to pool as each remodeling project has unique curing times, the amount of dye needed and weather conditions during application. While most finishes mottle, it is less apparent in a pebble finish. The only products that don’t mottle are Pebble Tec, Pebble Sheen and Hydrazzo. Even White Plaster has mottling if you closely.