Pebble Tec vs. Plaster

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LisaDLu

Well-known member
Nov 14, 2014
167
Palm Desert, CA
We are getting ready to redo our pool. We are leaning towards pebble tec instead of plaster this time. I was never happy that the plaster didn't stay pristine white. I think a colored pebble tec will staying looking good longer.

What should I look for in pebble tec? Does it have to be the brand name or is generic pebble just as durable? Does a colored pebble last longer and stay looking good longer than a traditional white plaster? Thank you!
 
LisaDLu said:
We are getting ready to redo our pool. We are leaning towards pebble tec instead of plaster this time. I was never happy that the plaster didn't stay pristine white. I think a colored pebble tec will staying looking good longer.

What should I look for in pebble tec? Does it have to be the brand name or is generic pebble just as durable? Does a colored pebble last longer and stay looking good longer than a traditional white plaster? Thank you!
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Make sure you actually try swimming in a pebble pool before hand. Some styles can be rough on the feet, knees, and elbows.
 
Thank you for all the responses. My friend has pebble tec in arctic white in a smooth finish (she couldn't remember what it was called). Does anyone know if a white pebble tec resists staining better than a white strictly plaster finish?
 
LisaDLu said:
Thank you for all the responses. My friend has pebble tec in arctic white in a smooth finish (she couldn't remember what it was called). Does anyone know if a white pebble tec resists staining better than a white strictly plaster finish?
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The pebbles are held in place with plaster and so whatever stained it would also stain the material between all the pebbles. IMO, you’d be better off. figuring out why the old finish stained and managed the water so it doesn’t do that again, but that goes for any finish that you choose
 
pebbletec.com

View All Available PebbleTec Finishes

We design our aggregate finishes for maximum beauty and durability, combining our premium stone with fade-resistant pigments.
pebbletec.com pebbletec.com

Pebbletec is a brand. It consists of plaster mixed with pebbles. The Pebbles can be various sizes or crushed depending on which finish you choose.

It is not something different or magical then plaster.

Manufactures have pool finishes mixing plaster with quartz or marble or other crushed stones.
 
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Your friend probably has PebbleSheen. I can attest to regular PebbleTec not being soft and smooth on the feet and has caused a few abrasions in our 23 years. Ours is a grey Pebble that looks more green than anything else and is very dependent on how light hits the pool through the day. I concur, what is causing your plaster staining? You need to figure that out first.
 
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Your contractor will have samples of the various Pebbletec finishes to choose from it you go that route. I would also vote for Pebble Sheen as well. We have that in our pool and it is still a bit rough, but not much smoother than the original Pebbletec. If budget is not an issue you can opt for one of the polished finishes.
 
Exposed aggregate plaster (that's the generic term for all types of pebble finishes) will "hide" discoloration more than flat white plaster or colored plasters. But it does not "resist" staining any more than any other finish would. You just won't see the staining as easily. There is a small section of my pool wall under the rock waterfall that has a discoloration caused during the acid exposure step of the plastering process. They splashed some acid up on the stones that likely had iron in them (most natural stones are a complex mix of elements). And so you can see, if you squint really hard and at the right angle, a splash stain pattern on the wall. But, because it's pebbletec, it's harder to see. If my pool were flat plaster, the stain would be totally obvious.

I agree with others, you have to figure out why your old plaster stained so badly and then solve that problem BEFORE you drop a ton of cash on a new finish.
 

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Hi all - We have hard water and our calcium hardness rises quickly. In the 10 years we have had the plaster installed we have only drained the pool 2 or 3 times to lower the calcium level. I suspect that is a main culprit of the staining (which has really only happened the last few years when I haven't been as diligent keeping the pool). Our PH levels also rise quickly. For the first 7 years or so of the new plasters life I was in bondage to the pool checking things every other day, in the last few years I have gotten lax with only checking chemicals every 7 - 14 days. When we get the Pebble Sheen installed I will be back to being diligent. I have heard that Pebble Sheen is easier to care for than traditional plaster so am hoping that is true. I have about 5 or 6 neighbors who are very happy with their Pebble Tec. One I spoke to today has it in both his homes, and also the one he sold previously. Everyone has glowing review so I am about ready to move forward. Any other thoughts on Pebble Sheen? Upkeep experiences? I am looking at White Diamonds specifically. Thank you all again!
 
With high CH fill water, you should consider putting your fill water on a water softener. You won't be able to fill an empty pool using a water softener, but as water evaporates and you add water, using water softener will keep your CH in check.
 
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Hi - We are in the midst of doing a pool remodel going back with Pebble Sheen. We redid the plaster 10 years ago but is there anything different to Pebble Sheen that I should be looking for during their installation and water set up? We are using an authorized Pebble Tec installer recommended by the company. This is also the same plasterer we used 10 years ago. Thank you!
 
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