Pebble Tec repair - Lateral-g Forums

JKnight · #1 12-21-2014, 10:48 PM

Throwing this out there since we have a community of tradesman and industrious fellows... The previous owner of our house had the entire 10'x50' covered patio covered with what seems to be pebble tec pool material. It's really quite nice but about 20% of the patio has areas where the pebbles are coming loose, particularly in the areas that are exposed to sprinkler overlap or runoff from potted plants. They also applied the same material to all uncovered concrete paths throughout the yard and they are falling apart very badly.

Is this typical and does anyone know about the options for repairing the damage and preventing additional degradation?

JKnight · #2 12-21-2014, 11:07 PM

Heres a terrible example pic

**glassman** · #3 12-21-2014, 11:07 PM

These type of "bonding" problems over concrete (it is over concrete?) usually breakdown two ways: one, under the concrete can "wick" different chemicals through it, causing it to loose its adhesion (think painting over dirt or oil)
two, the intense heat (uv rays mostly) breakdown the bonding chemical that holds this type of product together.

Best bet is to pay a seasoned pro concrete guy to come out and either show you how to fix, or give you a bid to fix...

There are "clear" epoxy's/resins out there that can go over your existing, and after you make a "matched" repair

Hope this helps, Mike

JKnight · #4 12-21-2014, 11:19 PM

Definitely helps Mike. It is over concrete. The areas exposed to more sunlight and water are definitely doing worse than those not exposed. I had seen something about an epoxy on one of those DIY shows. Not likely to do this myself for sure.

BMR Sales · #5 12-22-2014, 11:43 AM

It's an Epoxy system. The downside is Epoxy does not hold up to UV very well and they need to be maintained. I put a New Coat of Clear Epoxy (can be found at Home Depot) every couple of years. You can roll it on.

Repairs to areas where stones are gone would not be hard to do if you can find matching stones - mix stones & epoxy and trowel it even

JKnight · #6 12-22-2014, 12:15 PM

Interesting info TC. So they should have been re-applying epoxy periodically....didn't know that. It's tough on the feet when pebbles start coming apart, gotta get this resolved!

Someone clearly spent a good chunk of change or had friends in the business because there's well over 1,000 sq ft. of total pebble tec coverage between the paths, hot tub area, and covered patio.

Some good reading here: http://www.epoxyproducts.com/riverstone.html

**Sieg** · #7 12-22-2014, 01:20 PM

Do you ever see freezing temperatures?

If so, when moisture is in the product and it freezes it creates a shear effect on the bonding materials. The level of freeze damage depends on temperature, the elasticity of the bonding material, and the moisture absorption rate of the materials bonded.

You may find some education here: https://www.tcnatile.com/faqs/36-frost-resistance.html

JKnight · #8 12-22-2014, 02:43 PM

I don't think the occasional "frost" we get on our coldest of nights here in Phx (low of 29-32 degrees F) would be substantial enough to do anything destructive, but I understand the concept.

**califconstruct** · #9 12-22-2014, 07:29 PM

What you have is a Pebble Rock type product.. epoxy based.

epoxies are fine, trouble is, the concrete below is getting moisture trapped on top and below.

the fix..: once you expose and remove the loose stuff.. Penekrete, made by Superkrete. or a Xypex.(at White Cap) These products, when applied correctly, will water proof your concrete, crystallize and emulsify the cells, thus keeping them from calcifying and making the concrete break down and or flaking off. (efflorescence). - which causes the epoxie to fail.

You should be able to re-patch the epoxy by using some sort of solvent base product to loosen the epoxy, and allow the new epoxie to bond with it. But I'd definitely prep those problem areas first.
Even if it isn't exposed to water, the moisture from below, will cause it to fail, if there is no proper sealing. Note.. this Penekrete is not like a regular top coat sealer.. it is an integral sealer that can penetrate into concrete up to 8" thick. Great for basements, swimming pools, ect.

I do concrete overlays and such, prep is key and having the concrete completely prepped from any moisture from below.

Good luck..