Polymeric sand is the more reliable and durable option for filling in the paver gaps. It outperforms regular sand when a homeowner is looking to lock the paver joints properly and wants a steady and stable path. It also provides a better appearance with its cleaner look and availability in varied colors.
As we mentioned before, polymeric sand is a different product than the sand you would get from your backyard sandbox or the sand from the beach. Polymeric sand adheres to itself better than regular sand does, which is important from the varying elements a patio or hardscape will see over it's long life.
Don't install any polymeric sand if your project has areas that tend to hold water for prolonged periods of time. This helps prevent problems with standing water on your pavers; a subtle slope lets water easily drain off of your pavers each time it rains.
Even though we use poly sand on our projects, we have found that there are some disadvantages to using it. A disadvantage that clients may see to using polysand is that, poly sand is an added cost to your driveway project, and sometimes clients do not see the benefit in spending any additional money on sand.
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.
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.
Polymeric infill is ideal for filling gaps in cobbled paving. The hardened joints will provide a robust and water-permeable seal that helps prevent the cobbles from progressively loosening.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When properly installed polymeric sand is very weed resistant. There are many factors that can lead to early failure of the sand such as not getting sand deep enough into joints, applying too much OR to little water to activate, paver systems that hold too much moisture, hills, and a lot more.
A minimum of 24 hours drying time is required prior to allowing foot traffic and 48 hours for vehicular traffic on the paver surface. Dampening: Apply a gentle fine mist to the filled joints, flooding the faces of the pavers and allowing the water to run into the joints. Do not flood the sand onto paver surfaces.
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 Benefits
By sealing off the paver joints when it bonds it also prevents weed growth up through and burrowing insects from the top. It even helps prevent water damage from heavy rains as much of the rain water will not be able to seep under the pavers, therefore damaging the foundation underneath.
THERE IS ALREADY SAND BETWEEN THE PAVERS. CAN I SIMPLY ADD TECHNISEAL® POLYMERIC SAND ON TOP? No. It is important to empty the joints before filling them up with Techniseal® Polymeric Sand.
Polymeric Sand works best when it is used to fill the entire depth of the paver. In addition, it works best on joints that are between ¼ inch and 1.5 inches wide.
Polymeric sand is usually good for about ten years, so re-sanding costs are saved when using this type of sand. However, this is a very basic estimate, and it actually depends on the conditions faced by your paver, such as weather. You should regularly inspect your paver to see if there are any issues with the sanding.
Prevents Weed Growth, Manage Drainage and Keeps Patio from Shifting. Applying any sand to your patio will grant you benefits such as preventing weed growth, managing drainage, and keeping the patio or path from shifting. However, polymeric sand beats normal sand in each of these benefits due to its setting qualities.
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.
Concrete curbing design
This paver edge is what it sounds like—a curb-style concrete border that will provide a sturdy and neat finish to the edge of your pavers. A concrete curb is the best solution for commercial applications and driveways as it holds the stones in place no matter what.
Should you re-sand brick paver joints? Brick pavers absolutely, 100% need to be re-sanded prior to sealing. The sand in the brick paver joints serves MANY integral purposes. Keeps joints stable, pavers level,and fills the void between pavers to keep them from becoming loose and wobbly.
A danger of using too much water too quick creates the possibility of washing away the polymers. Too little water used in the installation process could leave you with a fragile joint. If the joint is not properly watered to at least 2/3's depth, a hardened crust may form at the top of the joint.