Polymeric sand is a terrific solution for keeping your walkways and patios locked in place and free of weeds and bugs for years to come. A few things to keep in mind: Polymeric sand can absorb moisture, so you don't have to worry too much about driveway drainage unless you live in an area prone to flooding.
However, polymeric sand is unique because it will allow the joints to expand and contract with the elements like hot sun during the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter. It will also bond your pavers together so weeds and insects don't make their home between each slab or stone.
Since weeds will grow through concrete in time, there is very little chance that a polymeric sand will stop them in an area with a high infestation. Under normal weed conditions, one here and there, the process of removing the old sand will eliminate most of the weeds and deter them from returning.
Weeds don't grow from beneath the stones. They grow between the stones when the jointing sand washes away leaving space for the seedlings to fall in. Here in a moist, dark setting, the conditions are right for weeds to germinate and grow. Even a couple seedlings can quickly spread across your patio floor.
Prevent Weeds with Polymeric Sand
If you're wondering how to stop weeds growing between slabs, look no further than polymeric sand. This joint filler, for use with patios and block paving, provides a solid seal between the pavers that helps stop weeds from growing and damaging your whole patio.
Polymeric sand is the most popular and useful filler used under brick pavers. It is a mixture of fine sand, adhesive and is most widely used in paver joints. Typically, polymeric sand lasts for up to 10 years. But if you use high-quality polymeric sand, it can last for approximately 15 years.
Simply boil the kettle, or heat up some water in a pan, and then pour the boiling water into the gaps between the paving slabs to prevent weeds from growing. Pouring boiling water onto weeds can also make pulling them out easier. The soil and roots soften up and do not cling as stubbornly to the earth.
Specially designed narrow-bladed weeding tools – sometimes called 'dandelion weeders' – for tackling such weeds are the most effective. More generally, a 'block paving knife' can be run along between pavers to sever most weeds. A wire-bristled 'block paving brush' is good at removing moss and the smaller weeds.
Polymeric sand is appreciated by paver installers because joints you get from it are durable and even . This eliminates any risk of weed growth and ant infestation that could affect the overall aesthetics and durability of paver projects.
When looking for alternatives to polymeric sand, you will also want to find high quality materials. There are other products, such as EnviroSAND, EnviroSTONE and EnviroPATH on the market that are able to stop water erosion from occurring.
The Problem With Polymeric Sands & Water Mitigation
Most polymeric sands don't drain water which meant small stones were used to fill the joints between the interlock. For driveways, this solution isn't a big issue but near a pool or patio, people prefer the smooth uniformity of polymeric sand.
Installing polymeric sand on a damp or wet surface could cause the sand and polymers to stick to the surface and become difficult to remove. After installation, a hard rain on polymeric sand that has not fully set up could result in polymeric sand all over the top of the pavers.
If installed improperly, the polymeric sand may crack or begin to peel which leaves exposed sand for weeds to begin to grow or insects to begin making a home. To prevent this from happening, ensure that your polymeric sand is installed properly and that your space is maintained.
You can choose to fill the cracks between pavers with a polymer sand. This filler, once wet with a hose, turns hard, almost like mortar. It will make it tougher for weeds to take root. Or, plan to seal the patio once it's complete.
Epic Fail #1: Too much or too little watering.
Using too much water can cause the sand to wash out of the joints. On the contrary, using too little can result in the product not setting up properly. Hazing can also occur if sand residue isn't fully washed off the surface of the pavers.
To kill weeds, some amateur gardeners recommend combining Epsom salt and Dawn dish soap. Together, these household items create a potent mixture, so only use it in places you wish to eliminate weeds, such as a patio or sidewalk permanently.
Rock salt is actually a super-effective and totally natural weed killer that is ace at clearing a gravel driveway. Simply sprinkle some rock salt on the ground surrounding any weeds you can see and then sit back and watch as the salt kills the weeds in just a matter of days. It's almost unbelievable.
Power or pressure washing will clear out the weeds from a Cobblelock block paving driveway or path, so they are gone ... but only for for a short time. But although the surface looks good when we leave a customer's property, neither softwashing nor power or pressure washing actually kills the weeds.
We recommend applying polymeric sand for brick pavers and paving stone projects if you want low maintenance and a durable finish. There are many different colours available to suit any project and the slightly higher expense is often worth the easy maintenance.
Using too much water can cause the joint to over-saturate and result in polymer washout, mushy sand, and a weak bond. It can also result in excess sand spreading onto the surface of the pavers, which is both hard to remove and an eye sore.
Can you apply polymeric sand twice? No, new product won't adhere to the old. You have to remove the old polymeric sand and then apply fresh product for the best result.
Polymeric sand cures by drying. And in order to fully set, it needs to dry out completely. If your polymeric sand didn't harden up, it's pretty much guaranteed there's a moisture issue. If the joints remain wet after the installation, they will remain soft until they dry.
Mulch is one of the most important tools in a weed free garden. It doesn't matter if you're growing trees and shrubs, perennials, annual flowers, or vegetables, a layer of mulch will be your best friend. Mulch blocks light from reaching the soil, reducing weed seed germination.