How to lay Pebbles
This is simple yet complicated unless you follow the instructions religiously
So many things can go wrong which are easily avoided so PLEASE take it easy and read with intelligence, this may be new to you and as with all tutoring a lot can go over your head and you may attempt to proceed and regret it later!
Pebbles fit into different sizes and have evolved from the bigger pebble to a much smaller pebble because of a few reasons i will explain here.
Bigger pebbles (3.2mm to 4.8mm) are fine if used on driveways but around pools and walkways they tend to be uncomfortable under bare feet and thus the market is coming to appreciate the advantages of a smaller pebble (1mm to 1.5mm approximately)
The other advantage of smaller pebbles is spread rate and economy of binder.
When using 1mm pebbles/sand you will use 7kg of aggregate to 1kg/lt of binder to cover 1m2 at 3mm thickness. It is easier to simply order PathKote as a premix to lay onto your surfaces.
You can download the PebbleKote brochure here
Assume that laying pebbles will cost about R1000/m2, are you willing to gamble with that type of money and do the work incorrectly? I would not and I am sure you would not, so please READ these instructions carefully and be honest, if you feel this is best left to teams who know what they are doing, then save yourself a lot of money and misery and call our contractors.
This is not a test of your ego, many a DIY enthusiast lives with regret for mucking up their job. Joins, verticals, weather, timing, tools, surface, thickness, pebble sizing and shape etc. all play into a professionally done job. It may cost you more to get the professionals but the job will be done correctly.
However, should you wish to proceed on your own because you live in a very remote part of the country, then please proceed as follows...
First it is good to know what binders we produce and which ones do what...
- Bindkote - this is our spray on binder which can be used in a garden sprayer to spray over sand or pebbles which are in place such as between paving stones and the dog keeps dislodging. Please click here to learn about Bindkote
- Polykote - Is our most popular binder for most pebble sizes and is perfect for mixing with your sand or pebbles and then spread with a trowel. You can click on this link to get more details on this product...
- Stickote - this binder is thick like vaseline and is formulated for vertical wall applications - click here to know more...
Start like this...
Substrate means the ground upon which you intend to lay pebbles, this could be tiles, concrete, brick, slate, tarmac, wood, or compacted rubble.
Falls refer to the direction water will travel in rain. All substrates should have a fall to a decent drainage point. Pebble paving is not waterproof, it will allow water to pass through it and onto the substrate below. So, if waterproofing is needed, do it before you lay the pebbles. visit our waterproofing page to know what to do.
Armed with the above knowledge, proceed to prepare the substrate before you start to lay pebbles.
If your surface is uneven or has holes and cracks or joins as in brick paving you will want to smooth out this surface and pay attention to where the water will go in a rainy downpour. Use MortaKote as a cement slurry to smooth the subrate. You can download the brochure from the linked page.
ALWAYS remember to degrease, rinse THOROUGHLY and allow to dry before you coat anything on a substrate.
Use this tool
The proper tool will result in the best finish if used correctly!
We sell the ROX stainless steel flooring trowel because it works best and is a highly durable good quality tool. Cost is R420 each.
When down on your knees and using this tool it pays to practice a bit before you start the job in all seriousness. You will need to keep this tool wet at all times whilst flattening the pebbles down onto your substrate. Have a bucket of water with a rag nearby to wet and keep the trowel clean. DO NOT let the trowel dry with binder on it, it will be a HUGE job to clean afterwards. You will need to use MEK and loads of rubbing to get it clean and maybe even polishing the blade with water-paper 400grit.
The pointed front allows for precise finish in right angle corners.
Pebble choices
There are hundreds of pebble choices some a lot cheaper than others.
Colours are important.
From single colours to multi blends makes it rather difficult to choose.
Sizes are critical.
1.0mm is the most popular and a wide range of colours are available. This size offers the most comfortable under bare foot and is ideal for around pools or on balconies etc where kids will be playing.
3 to 4mm is used in driveways but a lot more binder and thicker layers are required to achieve optimum results.
Plan your pebble job
There are a few things to have around you and ready for use when laying pebbles. This presumes all preparations have been done completely!
- A person who will do the mixing of binder to pebbles in the correct ratio.
- A trained person to use the correct trowel on his knees.
- Knee guards
- Bucket of water and a smallish rag to keep the trowel wet and clean
- Straight edge to ensure a level finish 2mt is a good size.
- Good, warm, not blazingly hot, weather with no rain for at least 4 days.
- Where, if any, you will use aluminium strip to join pebble paving.
- Decide on the thickness you will lay and have your edging/join strips at that.
- Anchor these strips mechanically to the substrate using proper fixings.
- Ensure all levels are perfect and that water will flow to drainage points.
- Do a practice run so as to be familiar with the process and to ascertain how many m2 you are fully capable of laying in 5 hours.
- Start early in the warm day, around 8am is good, then finish about 2pm
- It is imperative to not have pets or people walk on your newly laid flooring for at least 2 days of sunny weather.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG
This is so important, please do not pass over this section lightly!
We have already mentioned in a few places above what to do and not to do and it is in your best interest to follow these warnings.
After many years and many tears we can report that failure to do the job correctly will most definitely cost you dearly.
- Weather and sprinklers will cause failure. Do not gamble with the rain. You need at least 3 good warm days for the 3mm thickness pebble lay to dry before rain or the gardener, in his wisdom, decides to turn on the sprinklers. Or the dog has a poo on your new pebbles and again someone hoses it off and spoils the binder.
- Our binders are the best in the world, but they cure via atmospheric evaporation because they are water based. So knowing this you want to give it time to cure.
- Guard your new floor from other people and pets from leaving foot prints!
- Know how long it takes to "dry" while working with your wet mixed pebbles so as not to take on more than you are capable of laying down as you work
- Keep your ROX flooring trowel wet and clean ALL THE TIME as you lay your pebble mix and use firm pressure downward onto surface so as to compress the pebbles into a smooth finish.
