Exposed Aggregate and Pebblecrete

Exposed aggregate or commonly known as pebblecrete comes in a variety of colours and is used on multiple surfaces such as swimming pools, driveways and patios. The name exposed aggregate comes from the process of exposing the pebbles in the concrete mix. This is done by washing off the top layer of concrete to leave the top surface of the pebbles exposed while still being embedded in the concrete base.

Timing and method is critical when trying to create exposed aggregate or pebblecrete. If you wash off too early the pebbles will come dislodged and fall away from the concrete base or too late and you will not be able to expose the pebbles.

The best way to perform this process is to touch the pebblecrete / exposed aggregate lightly with your finger tips approximately 30 minutes after laying depending on the temperature of the day. If you get a slight amount of concrete slurry on your finger tips then you are good to wash out. A specialised pebblecrete sprayer is critical in the washout process. It needs to have just the right amount of pressure so you don't blow out the exposed aggregate mix. All our pebblecrete repair kits come supplied with a specialised pebblecrete sprayer.

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It is a good idea to apply exposed aggregate or pebblecrete in the morning when the temperatures are usually cooler giving you more time to work the mix and reduce cracking. See 7 Reasons why pebblecrete cracks

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Exposed aggregate is usually no more than 10mm thick and is purely decorative and does nothing for the structural integrity of the project it has been applied to.

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As mentioned exposed aggregate comes is a variety of colours depending on what you mix into the concrete base. See below some popular colours in our pebblecrete repair kits.

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