Best Maintenance Products for Pebble Tec Pools

Best Maintenance Products for Pebble Tec Pools

Pebble Tec pools are beautiful, durable, and offer a more natural look compared to traditional plaster finishes. But while they’re known for lasting decades, they still need the right care. If you want to keep your Pebble Tec pool looking smooth and vibrant for years, choosing the right maintenance products is key.

Here’s a breakdown of the best pool chemicals, tools, and equipment specifically suited for Pebble Tec surfaces and why you shouldn’t treat them the same way as a regular plaster pool.

Why Pebble Tec Needs Specialized Care

Pebble Tec is a premium interior pool finish made from cement and natural stone pebbles. Its textured surface is more durable than plaster but can still stain, scale, or wear out prematurely if poorly maintained.

Pebble finishes are slightly porous, which means:

  • Calcium buildup is more noticeable
  • Acid levels need closer monitoring
  • You’ll want to avoid products that are too harsh or abrasive

1. pH and Alkalinity Balancers

Maintaining proper water chemistry is critical with any pool, but especially with exposed aggregate finishes. Keep your pH between 7.4 and 7.6 and total alkalinity between 80–120 ppm.

Recommended Products:

2. Calcium Hardness Increaser

Pebble surfaces rely on balanced calcium levels to maintain their strength and prevent leaching. Low calcium can cause the cement in your surface to deteriorate. Aim for a calcium hardness level of 200–400 ppm.

Recommended:

3. Stain and Scale Control

Pebble Tec is vulnerable to calcium scale, metal stains, and mineral buildup due to its textured finish. Use a scale inhibitor or stain preventer weekly, especially if your water is high in minerals or metals.

Recommended:

4. Non-Abrasive Pool Brushes

Avoid stiff wire brushes that can damage the pebbled surface. Instead, use a soft nylon bristle brush made specifically for aggregate or Pebble Tec pools. Brush your pool at least once a week to prevent algae growth and reduce calcium buildup.

Recommended:

  • Curved nylon pool brush for better wall coverage
  • Telescoping pole attachment for reach

5. Pool Vacuum Heads and Cleaners

Stick to manual vacuum heads with smooth, non-abrasive edges or robotic cleaners that are safe for textured finishes. Stay away from harsh wheeled vacuums with metal or sharp plastic edges.

Recommended:

6. Shock Treatments

Use non-chlorine shock when possible or carefully measured doses of chlorine-based shock. The key is to avoid overuse, which can lead to surface bleaching or increase pH instability.

Recommended:

7. Pebble Tec-Safe Algaecide

Algaecides help control growth in textured surfaces where algae can cling more easily than in smooth plaster. Choose a non-copper, non-staining algaecide.

Recommended:

  • Polyquat 60 (non-foaming algaecide)
  • Avoid copper-based algaecides, which may discolor your surface over time

8. Water Clarifier

Pebble finishes can sometimes trap tiny debris in crevices. A clarifier helps clump small particles together so your filter can remove them more effectively.

Recommended:

Bonus Tip: Test Often and Adjust Gently

The secret to a long-lasting Pebble Tec finish isn’t flashy products. It’s consistency. Test your water weekly and make adjustments slowly. When in doubt, go with products specifically labeled safe for exposed aggregate or Pebble Tec pools.

To all my Pebblers...

Pebble Tec pools are an investment worth protecting, and the right maintenance routine can extend the life and beauty of your surface for decades. Whether it’s balancing water chemistry, using the right brush, or avoiding harsh cleaners, these small decisions add up to a big difference.

If you’re looking for trusted, high-quality maintenance products, AquaDoc carries everything you need and we’ve already vetted it for Pebble Tec safety.

Ready to take care of your Pebble Tec pool the right way?
Shop AquaDoc Pool Maintenance Products

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