Polymeric sand is a mix of different fine sands and other additives. When it is combined with water it creates a strong bond that is ideal for filling in joints in pavers. The ICPI endorses the use of polymeric sand.
Polymeric sand is a material used to fill paver joints, the empty spaces found between each paver, tile or natural stone. It is sometimes called jointing sand, paver sand or hardscape sand. Jointing sand is made up of fine grains, to which manufacturers add a mixture of specific additive particles.
Polymeric Sand has many benefits, however, the biggest drawback is that it can be easy to mess up, especially if you don't follow the manufacturer's instructions.
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.
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.
Wet polymeric sand is the best answer to what is the best to put in between pavers. Being water-activated, it hardens easily after being applied and it won't get washed away with rain or water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The primary difference between polymeric sand and regular sand is that the binder additives allow the material to form a solid seal when exposed to water. Regular building sand, or kiln dried sand, is swept into the space between the pavers with a push broom while the surface and sand are completely dry.
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.
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.
Dish Soap: A great way to clean patio pavers without removing any sand or decorative texture is by simply cleaning with a gentle soap or degreaser like Dawn. Add the dish soap to a container of water, then start lightly scrubbing the dirty spots with a rag, sponge or a stiff-bristled brush.
Pressure Washing
Since you don't want to remove the sand between the joints, keep a low pressure. The recommended pressure for removing polymeric sand from pavers is 1600-2000 PSI. In pressure washing, if you use hot water, it will also help you remove polymeric sand from pavers.
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. So getting one initial complete drying "set" is very important to the long-term performance and lifespan of the product.
They ask us if the polymeric sand we use is “weed proof”. Unfortunately the answer is no. There's is no miracle product that will eliminate all weeds, ants and washouts. The good news is Polymeric sand is the best product available to resist the nuisances that come along with the beauty of a paver patio.
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.
Cracking is incredibly rare in polymeric sand. If joints do experience cracking, it's most likely due to movement of the pavers. Sand is only flexible to a certain degree. If the pavers aren't properly installed and secured, the sand within the joints will not be able to withstand the constant movement.
Laying the pavers too tightly can actually cause some issues in the future. The recommended space between the pavers is 3 mm (⅛”).
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.