Paving with sand in a sloppy area will significantly lose sand through rain and wind action. However, if the paved area is as flat as possible, the sand is less likely to be washed away. Unregulated cleaning using heavy-duty pressure machines can also result in loss of paving sand.
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. You want to make sure your surface is dry prior to installation and no rain is in the forecast after completing the job for the specified period of time.
Most polymeric sand varieties can only be activated once and are waterproof thereafter. However, there are varieties available that have the ability to be softened by water to facilitate the correction of minor imperfections. Twenty-four hours are required for the pavers to lock completely.
Remove the tarp as soon as the rain is done so the air can assist in the curing process since PolySweep needs to dry fully to be cured. A hard rain on polymeric sand that has not set up properly could result in sand all over the tops of the pavers.
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.
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.
DISASTER #1:
Water needs to drain from a paver application in order for the polymeric sand to perform like it's supposed to. Polymeric sand becomes quite stiff after it has cured and doesn't really bend once it's completely dry. Remember, however, it's designed to soften up and become flexible when wet.
Epic Fail #1: Too much or too little watering.
A polymeric sand installation requires the use of a controlled and methodical watering technique. 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.
Unsealed interlocking pavers & brick are subject to staining, fading, sand loss, and can sometimes develop weeds and mildew growth. With proper sealing and maintenance your pavers will be more likely to have a long lasting, beautiful and durable life and appearance.
Regular sand for paving is prone to erosion, damage from weeds and can make your pavers hard to wash without risking the loss of any jointing sand between the stones. Using polymeric sand, however, prevents weeds from taking root and holds pavers firmly in place thanks to the durability of its seal.
What is 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.
Table 1 indicates that sands take in water faster than loams and clays, i.e., 2.0-6.0 vs 0.6-2.0 vs 0.2-0.6 inches per hour. This means that if the rainfall rate is 2 inches per hour, the sands will take in quite a bit of water whereas the loam and clay will not.
Keep away from walks and patios for at least 24 hours. If the pavers are for your driveway, wait 48 hours before driving over them, It's also best to wait a full 30 days before you try to clean or seal your pavers. They need weeks to fully cure.
If it rains while you are installing your pavers, you will need to stop and allow the area to dry out entirely before continuing as surface water can cause many problems. If the pavers are already laid and it rains, then you will need to cover the area with tarpaulins or plastic sheeting to protect them from the rain.
The sand and paver area must be dry to complete this step. First, clean and sweep the newly paved area, in order to remove all materials and debris. Seal the area with a sand binding sealant, this will ensure that the joint sand will not disappear. This will also prevent the growth of vegetation between the joints.
A sand layer that is too thick can create waves in your patio during the installation. Pressing pavers into a thick sand bed may result in misalignment and a messy look. Too much sand will make the joints of the pavers look uneven.
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.
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.
Under favorable conditions with ample sunlight and wind, beach sand can dry within a few hours to a day after rainfall. The sun helps evaporate the moisture on the surface, and wind aids in the evaporation process by increasing the surface area exposed to the air.
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. Avoid the common mistakes by following the manufacturer's instructions and educating yourself on the best process to use.
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.
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.
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.