Some pointers on polymeric sand
With DIYers feeling increasingly confident enough to tackle polymeric sand applications to existing patios or walkways, Sakrete has pulled through with some handy tips for tackling this project.
Polymeric sand is an effective alternative to a quick-fix mason sand solution, which tends to be little more than a temporary fix for concealing weeds and refreshing the appearance of one’s patio.
With a polymeric sand product such as Sakrete Paver Set or Sakrete PermaSand – which are designed to resist weed growth and to harden and stay in place for a long time – the task can be completed with the addition of just a garden hose, adjustable nozzle, and broom. You may choose to add a pressure washer, leaf blower, non-selective herbicide, additional pavers, paver sealer, and/or a small sturdy brush.
Product-knowledge tips include the following:
• Polymeric sand won’t be enough to fix your walkway if the pavers are so crooked that you can’t walk across them without tripping. More involved projects might require you to pick up the stones, level the ground beneath them, and reposition them.
• 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. Wider joints take longer to harden and would need more time to set before exposing them to pedestrian traffic (especially high heels).
• Some pavers are made with notches on the side. If your pavers are installed in a such a way that the notches touch the next paver, polymeric sand will not work well. There simply isn’t enough space between them to allow the sand to fill the entire void.
• Some pavers are made with a false joint. This joint is usually about 3/8 inch deep and 3/8 inch wide and zigzags its way across the surface of the paver. These false joints can successfully be filled with sand and hold up well when done properly. However, special care must be taken while cleaning off excess dust from pavers, especially if a leaf blower is used. It is very easy to blow the sand out of the joints if the blower is not angled properly.
• Red clay bricks are a candidate for staining under any conditions, so it’s best to avoid them.
• Before you apply the sand, you’ll want to make sure the pavers are completely dry most of the way through if you want to avoid staining. This means waiting if you’ve just used a pressure washer, or if it’s rained recently.
• It’s important to remove all of the dust created when you put the sand down. After you have swept everything that you can into the joints, a leaf blower set on low and held at about a 30-degree angle will gently remove excess dust. This dust is what causes the stains once it is wet.
• When watering, it’s important to add enough water to saturate the sand but not so much that you float the polymers out of the sand. The most effective way to do this is to adjust the nozzle to “shower” and water the pavers until no more water will soak in. Spray for a few seconds, then stop and observe. If the joints continue to take water, keep spraying. When they won’t take any more water, and before you float the polymer out of the sand and onto the pavers, stop spraying.
• To protect your finished patio while it’s setting, cover with a plastic or tarp. Make sure to redirect pedestrian traffic for 24 hours and vehicular traffic for 72 hours.