What is pavers sand

France FR. Benelux FR. Benelux NL. Warning: you have left the store you had selected originally. Return to selected store Set as default. What is Polymeric Sand? Why choose polymeric sand for paver jointing? Increased durability As stated above, the mixture of sand grains and additive particles forms a powerful binding agent that securely holds together concrete pavers and other hardscape installation materials.

No more weeds or ant infestations! Free of any parasite agent, paver joints are less likely to age or erode prematurely. Rich and varied colors Once considered as purely structural, paver joints have nowadays become an important part of landscaping plans, with added interest being put on the aesthetic value they can bring to hardscape installations.

Know that with Techniseal jointing sands, you will always get the best results, we guarantee it! The biggest challenge you will face is how to avoid staining. Every polymeric sand that I know of will stain under the right conditions. There are two keys to success here. The first is to make sure the pavers are dry. Not just the surface but most of the way through. The water will wick up through the pavers and cause stains. The same applies if you need to use a pressure washer to remove the sand that is left from the original installation.

They will stain no matter what you do. The second thing that is important is 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 degree angle will gently remove excess dust.

This dust is what causes the stains once it is wet. The process of placing the sand also requires attention to detail. Pour the sand onto the pavers and sweep it into the joints. Using a broom handle or some other blunt object, tap on the pavers.

This will cause the sand to consolidate. If the paver is beveled the sand should be even with the bottom of the bevel. Using a small broom or brush carefully sweep all sand off the pavers. If you have access to a leaf blower, adjust to the lowest setting, hold the blower about waist high and blow excess dust from the pavers. Be careful that no one is standing immediately downwind. Once ALL dust has been removed, you are ready to spray water.

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. Additionally, closer observation is necessary when watering, as the false joints will become saturated faster than the full depth joints. Thus, it may be necessary for you to apply more water to the full depth joints versus the false joints see section below on watering. You need to add enough water to saturate the sand but not so much that you float the polymers out of the sand.

If this happens, you will see a white milky substance. Floating polymers will also cause staining. Spray for a few seconds, then stop and observe. If the joints continue to take water, keep spraying. The polymer will begin to set and no more water will penetrate. The danger in not watering thoroughly is that the top will harden and the bottom will not. If this happens, it is only a matter of time before the sand at the bottom of the paver gives way and the top falls in. A non-polymeric joint sand may have to be re-applied every year if some gets washed out.

Tip: When using polymeric joint sand should be swept into the joints and the dust blown off the surface before spraying the surface with water. This will prevent a shiny layer or haze from forming over the top of the patio. Follow label instructions carefully. Selecting the right type and amount of sand is critical to constructing a long-lasting patio.

Mason sand is processed to a much finer consistency than paver sand. This gives a smooth, aesthetically pleasing finish for applications like brick mortar. Applying a layer of sealant will ensure your pavers look their best. It will also act as a glue to hold the sand particles together. Even if your patio or walkway is protected from rain, sealing the joints will keep your pavers from shifting over time.

In other words, you have no way of knowing if the sand contains any harmful chemicals or is unhygienic. Play sand is quite fine, especially when compared to masonry and paver sands.

It will quickly wash away after installation, leaving you with empty joints and uneven pavers. Some popular alternatives to sand include pea gravel, rubber sand, styrofoam, and even uncooked rice.

Remember that each of these materials comes with a unique list of pros and cons. Do your research before swapping out your current play sand for one of these alternatives, and always supervise children when playing in a sandbox. Silvia is a mom of three pre-teen kids and is passionate about living a more sustainable family life. She feels she has only just begun her journey towards environmentally friendly living, and hopes that EnviroMom can be a resource to help other families on their own journeys!

Skip to content. Is all sand the same? The short answer is no!