Regular dry sand in your paver joints will not prevent pests like weeds and bugs. In the PNW, it's common to see weeds or ant hills popping up in areas through paver joints. Polymeric sand, on the other hand, is known for controlling weeds and insects. It dries hard, and pests cannot get through without a crack.
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.
Problems with Polymeric Sand
Polymeric sand can trap moisture in the joints between pavers. When water gets stuck in these areas, it creates a perfect environment for mold and algae to grow. Over time, this can lead to dark, slimy spots on your pavers that are difficult to clean.
Typically, polymeric sand lasts for up to 10 years. But if you use high-quality polymeric sand, it can last for approximately 15 years. With proper care, you can easily increase the life of polymeric sand without the need for replacement.
Prior to the installation of new polymeric sand, you will need to remove any old joint sand or polymeric sand from the joints with a pressure washer. If remov- ing polymeric sand, a hot water pressure washer will help to soften up the binders in the sand.
To pressure wash with polymeric sand can help restore the original beauty of your pavers and make them look like new again.
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.
Instead of simply using regular sand to fill in the missing spots between the pavers, build long-lasting beauty into the surface with polymeric sand. If you don't, much of the sand you put in will wash out after a few heavy rains, and you may see weeds pop through before you finish packing up at the end of the job.
When using PolySweep it is important to apply a fine spray of water to moisten the sand until the water just starts to slightly sit on top of the joint. Wait about 5 to 10 minutes allowing the water to soak in. It may take 3-4 proper waterings in order to fully activate the polymeric sand.
The most widely recommended solution in today's market is polymeric sand. This product is a mixture of sand with polymer (plastic) particles that will harden when activated with water. When properly installed, this product creates a superior bond that stays in place and resists erosion and weeds for many years.
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.
If polymeric sand is used in areas without proper drainage, then the water will expose the sand to prolonged periods of wetness and moisture, making it vulnerable to washout. In order for the polymers to harden, the water has to be able to escape.
TIP: QUIKRETE PowerLoc Jointing Sand is recommended for paver joints of up to ½ inch wide. HardScapes Polymeric Sand is recommended for larger joints up to 2 inches wide and for use with natural stone.
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. Ideally, the temperature should be around 180 °F.
Sweep the polymeric joint sand into the cracks between the pavers as you would with other materials. It is recommended that you do this three times to ensure that all of the joints are properly topped off. This will increase weed, insect and water protection.
Joint compounds, on the other hand, can last as long as 20 years if correctly installed. Unlike polymeric sand, joint compound is permeable and excess water can go through the joints. Joint compounds also can handle winds, higher temperatures, and other more extreme weather conditions.
Protect from rain for at least 12 hours. No sealer is required. Sand remaining on paver faces can create a slight haze after wetting. 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.
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.
Sand and soil hardeners, such as NanoPave JSS, or Tamarron's Joint Hardener. are two such chemicals that can be sprayed over the sand before and after troweling it smooth. It bonds with the sand to create a hard surface to prevent dents and also resist roots, termites, rodents, nutgrass and weeds.
Why is using the right amount of water important in successful polymeric sand installation? A danger of using too much water, too quick is the possibility of washing away the polymers. This could cause the poly- mer to float out of the joint or force the polymer down into the joint, neither is good.
Polymeric sand does a good job of keeping pavers in place and stopping weeds, but it's not porous. That means water can't soak through it, which goes against the eighth Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principle: Reduce Stormwater Runoff.
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.
Making your own polymeric sand is simple when using ConSANDtrate. Just mix with sand! Mixing can be done onsite at construction projects in concrete mixers, or at home in 5 gallon buckets. Mix, fill joints, mist with water, and allow to dry.
Over time, you'll need to continue replacing the washed-away sand. Additionally, paver sand tends to hold a great deal of moisture in which mold and mildew love to grow. Nothing's worse than when you are trying to enjoy your space and the joint sand has turned green or black from growth.