10 Steps to Repair a Pebble Tec Pool

If you are a Pebble Tec pool owner, you no doubt already know that you need a matching Pebble Tec patch mix for most repairs. Pool technicians can cost a fortune, and an effective patch or repair can often be done with the right materials (easily purchased on the web) and without the additional cost. Here are some guidelines to get you 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 on is clean and dry (lower the water level in your pool if necessary).
3. Study the purchase instructions for your product. If the product you got is not a ready-to-use variety, be sure to follow its directions carefully to get the right consistency.
4. Hitting the area surrounding the crack with a hammer will expose the hollow cells and let you know how much of the preexisting pebble material needs to be removed around the crack to make a lasting repair.
5. Tap the area to expose the underlying substrate using a hammer and large chisel (find one designed for this type of work) and continue tapping around the area to find any more hollow areas until you find no more.
6. Use a 4″ masonry blade on a 4″ grinder to saw edges down so they don’t chamfer or bow (always wear proper protective gear: goggles, gloves, etc.) You can also continue using your hammer and chisel to do this, however, is not as fast and accurate. Ideally you should have worked at least 1/4″ to get a good patch.
7. Leaving the work area smooth does not always allow for the most effective bonding. To remedy this problem, cut criss-cross grooves into the underlying substrate with the grinder or gouge 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 mix with a trowel or with your hands to fill in the area that needs repair and smooth it so that it is flush with the surrounding area. Use a round edge trowel to level the area, removing excess repair material from the repair area. Holding the trowel against the existing pebble surface acts as a guide as you remove excess pebble material to level the edges.
10. Fluff 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 gentle spray or bug spray to remove excess cement and expose the stone. Use a sponge to clean up any excess repair material surrounding the repair area.

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