GENERALINFORMATIONINSTRUCTION FOR PEBBLECRETE
I. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PEBBLECRETE INTRODUCTION PebbleCrete is a quartz-based aggregate designed especially for swimming pools that is imported from overseas and goes through a rigorous sizing and cleaning process prior to bagging. PebbleCrete is applied using several different methods that have been developed after many years and hundreds of swimming pools throughout the world. COMPANY PROFILE SCB NONGKHAI LTD is the parent company of Pebble Pools and also owns the names and product formulas for PebbleCrete and PebbleGlass in Thailand. Originally, Pebble Pools was our application company and applied Pebble Tec and PebbleCrete throughout Thailand. But, due to the rising cost of transportation and our work permits not being able to be used at multiple locations, we now offer management services in the Phuket area and other provinces where it is cost effective for the customer. In the last several years, using Pebble finishes throughout Thailand has gained popularity, so to meet demand we are now selling PebbleCrete throughout Thailand using local labor that we have trained for this application; this has significantly reduced the cost for the Homeowner, Hotels, Builders and Developers. In the case where you have purchased PebbleCrete directly from us and need a company to apply PebbleCrete, we can recommend someone in your area or we will offer training and support to you and your builder, providing they are already experienced in applying sand wash. In most cases this can be done over the phone, but one of our staff can travel to your location, and if need be, we also we have a full service management option available that covers all aspects of the job. THE PRODUCT PebbleCrete, as mentioned above, is a quartz-based aggregate that is of the highest quality. It is graded into specific sizes and once installed makes for an extremely hard surface. This allows it to resist harsh chemicals and acidic water, which is very common here in Thailand. HOW LONG WILL PEBBLECRETE LAST COMPARED TO OTHER PRODUCTS? Provided you maintain the pool properly, generally you can expect the following results: Epoxy-painted pool 6 months to 2 years; Plaster (using sandstone as the aggregate) 1 to 2 years; 1
Traditional sand wash 1 to 3 years; Plaster (using quartz sand as the aggregate) 2 to 5 years; PebbleCrete 10+ years. WARRANTY We offer a 5-year material warranty on PebbleCrete aggregate. If you choose our full management option, then the warranty is for 5 years and covers both material and labor II. SIMILAR PRODUCTS There are a number of similar products available throughout the world: Beadcrete, and Diamond Bright, to name two. But of all these products, PebbleCrete from SCB NONGKHAI LTD is the only product that is formulated to withstand Thailand s harsh climate and the effects it has on swimming pool water. When comparing products, it is important to look at the samples that are available from the different manufacturers; you will notice that PebbleCrete and Pebble Tec use a pebble aggregate, whereas some other companies use small grains of sand, which is basically a plaster and achieves a compression strength of only around 2,000 PSI where as PebbleCrete is a structural product that can achieve more the 6,000 psi of compression strength when cured for 30-plus days under water, which is about twice the strength of normal concrete. USING SAI LANG (SAND WASH) AND OTHER THAI MATERIALS One question that we often get is, What is the difference between PebbleCrete and sand wash? The short answer is, A great deal The longer answer is that most material that is used for sand wash and terrazzo floor in Thailand is local material similar to sandstone. It is very soft, so when mixed with cement the strength is about the same as plaster and even less is some cases. There is one area in Thailand that produces a low-quality quartz product. While stronger then sandstone material, it is very dirty and has lots of iron and other impurities that make it unusable for swimming unless thoroughly cleaned and resized. Even then, it is still very sharp and makes for a low-quality finish with few color options. All PebbleCrete goes thru an extensive cleaning process to remove iron and other contaminates as shown below 2
III. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PEBBLECRETE AND PEBBLEGLASS? As previously mentioned, PebbleCrete is a natural, high-quality quartz aggregate. PebbleGlass, Beadcrete, and other similar products are made of glass beads and have been developed over the years to replace the quartz aggregate that is mixed into the cement mix. Originally, the idea was to use 100% glass and this is still done, but the recent trend in the swimming pool industry has been to instead use only10% to 50% glass mixed in with the quartz aggregate giving a similar look but is stronger and less expensive than using all glass. Our favorite is 50/50 half PebbleGlass and half PebbleCrete. TILE VS PEBBLECRETE In Thailand, tile has been pretty much the only choice for many years. There are some people that like the look of a tile pool and to each their own it is a personal choice but when the grout gets eaten away and the tiles starts falling off the wall the monolithic aspect of a PebbleCrete swimming pool becomes clear. In most cases we recommend tile for certain areas of a swimming pool, especially for the waterline area, where the glaze on the tile permits the scum line to be cleaned with very aggressive methods without affecting the PebbleCrete below. Normally, we recommend one row of 4 4 tile directly under the coping so that the waterline sits at around the center of the tile. There are many different ways to incorporate tile into the PebbleCrete finish: some examples are using tile to create swim lanes, mosaics, hotel logos, triangular sections, markers for steps and in larger pools where there are cold joints in the floor 3
really the list goes on and on, though generally speaking, a little tile goes a long way. And by using single pieces, such as stair markers, there is no need for grout, which is always the first thing that disappears in unbalanced acidic water. COPINGS In Thailand, many older pools are built without coping. Often, there is a sand wash deck that rolls over a 90 edge and goes straight into the pool. In cases such as this, if you are going to renovate the pool and install a new deck, then you should install a coping material such as granite or sandstone. If you are not going to install a new deck, it is best to leave the top row of tile between the old sand wash and start the PebbleCrete below the lower edge of the old tile. IS PEBBLECRETE A FIX FOR LEAKING POOLS? No is the short answer. Although that is not to say it will not help in some cases. If your Pool is leaking we can help you with some steps to take prior to applying the PebbleCrete that will in most cases help. But it is important to remember that a properly built swimming pool will hold water on its own without the help of tile or plaster. That said, if you do have a leaking pool and you have decided to install PebbleCrete, now is definitely the time to remedy the problem. Penetrations are a likely cause of leaks. Therefore, we suggest that you epoxy all penetrations. Also, if you cannot find the leak, you can ground out the lower edge between the wall and floor and fill it with epoxy. If you have steps, you should remove them so you can do so. Repair the seam behind the steps in the same way and then rebuild the steps. At SCB Nongkhai/Pebblepools, we offer email, phone and onsite support in both Thai and English to both the customer and the contractor throughout the entire process. So don t hesitate to contact us if you have questions. USING PEBBLECRETE IN SALTWATER POOLS There is no problem with using PebbleCrete in a saltwater pool, though you need to use chlorine for the first 30 plus days after application and then switch to salt. It is better to add the salt to the surge tank if you have one. If not, make sure you use salt designed for a swimming pool and mix it thoroughly with a long pool brush. Do NOT allow it to lie on the bottom of the pool for extended periods, especially if the PebbleCrete is dyed. ADDING CHLORINE AND OTHER CHEMICALS We will supply you with start-up instructions once you have purchased the PebbleCrete. The first 30 days generally require more maintenance than a tile pool. But after that you are home free for many years with regular maintenance. 4
IV. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM PAST CUSTOMERS (Question) Can we install the coping after the PebbleCrete is installed? (Answer) No, all tile work and copings must be installed prior to the installation of PebblCrete, In short, the pool needs to be completed with all pumps in and working so the pool can be immediately filled once the PebbleCrete is completed. (Question) Why does that all need to be completed first? (Answer) Because once the Pebblecrete is completed you need to fill the pool so the PebbleCrete can cure underwater; this helps in bonding, strength and it is how Pebblecrete is formulated. (Question) Can I create my own color? (Answer) Yes, but we always recommend that you order about 10% more than what we figure you will need and any surplus within that 10% can be returned for all full credit providing the bags are clean and unopened, but we will not accept returns for special colors. (Question) Does SCB Nongkhai guarantee the work of the applicator? (Answer) No, but we only recommend companies that have applied PebbleCrete for us in the past, and thus far we have not had any complaints, though if the budget warrants, then our full management option will offer you piece of mind. (Question) Can PebbleCrete be ground into a smooth Terrazzo finish? (Answer) Yes, but as PebbleCrete is very hard, there will be an extra cost depending on the applicator. (Question) Should I buy PebbleCrete thru SCB Nongkhai or direct through the applicator? (Answer) It is up to the customer but generally we would prefer that you buy through us so that we can establish a relationship and also determine the correct amount of material, though we have had many customers that buy direct from the Applicator. (Question) Are there samples available? (Answer) Yes, samples are free but we limit quantities, and we ask that you narrow down your color choices prior to asking for samples. (Question) If I have a problem with the applicator or a question about what he says, can I contact SCB Nongkhai direct? (Answer) Yes, sometimes there may be a miscommunication so better get it clarified before-hand. (Question) How do I choose the right color? (Answer) It is a personal choice but keep in mind that the darker the color of the PebbleCrete the darker the color of water. PebbleCrete is like the ocean floor when standing on a cliff looking out to sea, White Sand makes the water appear light blue 5
where as dark rocky bottoms give the water a dark deep blue effect; whereas browns give the water a green effect. PebbleCrete, unlike tile, uses the sun and depth of the water to change the appearance of the water that is why no two Pebble Pools look the same. We can guide you by email or by phone when the time comes. We are highly focused on customer service and will always help in any way we can. 6