Use a leaf blower, held levelly to prevent it from blowing sand out of the gaps, to blow the excess sand from the surface of the stones. Then, sweep over the pavers with a broom to remove any sand that may have found its way into crevices in the stone.
Knowing how to remove polymeric sand from pavers is not difficult, just time consuming and tedious. Warm to hot water actually reactivates the polymers within the sand and allows you to scrub or wash away the sand that is stuck to the surface of the pavers.
Removing Polymeric Sand. For the removal of polymeric sand, you will need: Pressure Washer (hot water preferred for polymeric sand removal) with a minimum PSI of around 2,000 or greater. Optional Surface Cleaner Attachment.
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. How to replace polymeric sand between pavers? Inspect the pavers to make sure the sand in the crevices is at least 1/8″ below the top of the pavers.
Any excess polymers and sand should be rinsed off of the project surface. Go over your pavers again with a leaf blower to blow any excess water and sand off of the surface of your pavers. Work in small areas to be sure you remove as much standing water and/or sand as possible.
If remov- ing polymeric sand, a hot water pressure washer will help to soften up the binders in the sand. Any tough to remove hardened areas, may require mechanical means to clean the joint. Take caution with natural stone or thin style pavers and be sure to avoid disturb- ance of the bedding sand underneath.
Remove excess residue with a leaf blower
Use a leaf blower at its lowest setting to blow away any excess polymeric sand residue. Angle the blower at roughly 30 degrees to ensure you're not blowing sand out of the cracks.
Well topping is an example of this and is considered a big no-no when it comes to polymeric sand installation. Topping basically refers to filling the joints with regular sand and then topping them off with polymeric sand.
To add to the cons of using polymeric sand, the bond it forms between each paver is incredibly rigid. This is ideal in a rigid paving system, but if your paver project has been set in a flexible system, using this sand can cause cracks and holes to form within the joints when the surface experiences heavy weights.
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.
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.
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.
1. Polymeric sand hardens quickly. This can be a benefit—you don't have to worry about it creating a mess that you can't get rid of, and it makes the finishing process simple. However, you should NEVER install polymeric sand when it is raining!
A minimum of 24 hours drying time is required prior to allowing significant foot traffic and 48 hours for vehicular traffic on the paver surface.
It is important to empty the joints before filling them up with Techniseal® Polymeric Sand. Polymeric Sand needs a minimum depth of 4 cm (1 ½”) to be effective.
When you install polymeric sand in the joints of pavers, the manufacturers suggest that you spray the paved area with water and leave time to dry. If you overwater the area their binders will leach out of the polymeric sand. It's this leaching causes that white haze, or polyhaze, on paving stones.
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.
To replace sand that has been washed out, simply pour joint sand over the pavers. Next, sweep it into and across the joints using a stiff push broom. Keep the depth of the sand at ¼ inch from the surface of the paver. Afterwards, you can sweep the excess joint sand between pavers and store it again for future use.
sweep polymeric sand into a joint, there are pockets of air and spacing throughout the sand matrix. Proper compaction of the surface will tighten up the sand particles eliminating pockets of air and voids.
To compact the pavers themselves without a plate compactor, you're going to use a rubber mallet. You will not use a hand tamper at this part. It is too rough, and it requires more strength than a paver requires.
If poly sand haze has transpired on the surface, it must be cleaned with an acid-based cleaner. Sometimes vinegar can be used unless the poly sand haze is severe.
Moss. CasaScapes polymeric sand will not cause nor prevent moss, mold or mildew. Moss, mold and mildew are caused by certain on-site conditions including excess moisture, shade, absence of ventilation, inadequate cleaning or maintenance, presence of soil or other organic debris left on the product.
Traditionally, concrete paver manufacturers have recommended waiting at least 90 days after polymeric sand installation to apply a protective sealant to a paver surface. Nowadays, a 30 day delay is sufficient to allow the evaporation of any remaining natural efflorescence contained in the pavers.