How deep should polymeric sand be?

Polymeric Sand needs a minimum depth of 4 cm (1 ½”) to be effective. Use a power washer to empty the joints. If there is already polymeric sand between the pavers, soak the sand to soften it up before emptying the joints.

How thick should polymeric sand be?

Polymeric Sand can be used in pavers with false joints that are at least ¼” deep and ¼” wide.

How large of a gap can you fill with polymeric sand?

How Big a Gap Can Polymeric Sand Fill? Polymeric sand works best to fill gaps between 1/4 inch and 1.5 inches wide. Wider joints will require more time to harden.

Can you apply polymeric sand twice?

First, you run the danger of disturbing your base/shifting your pavers. Secondly, you will have to wait a day while the surface dries before you can reapply your new sand. Remember polymeric sand and moisture don't mix until after it's in the joints!

How thick should sand be under pavers?

Paver sand holds the pavers in place and allows you to adjust them. The final paver sand depth needs to be 1 inch and you need to account for sand filtering into the paver base and into the joints between the pavers. Make your calculations using a sand depth of 2 inches or 0.1667 feet.

How To Use Polymeric Sand for Pavers

Can I put 2 inches of sand under pavers?

Sinking pavers

The sand should be 1 inch thick when laid. This is just the right amount of sand for the pavers to nestle in once they have been compacted. When too much sand is used, the pavers can sink further than they should as the support from the subbase is too low down.

What happens if you put too much sand under pavers?

Excess sand slowly fills the joints and spills out of the edges and across paver surfaces. As a result, your pavers lose their locked positions and float haphazardly on the sand's surface.

Why does polymeric sand fail?

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.

Why is my polymeric sand not hardening?

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.

Do you have to compact polymeric sand?

A tightly compacted joint has the best opportunity for long term success. of polymeric sand you will end up with a mess. Installing polymeric sand on a damp or wet surface could cause the sand and polymers to stick to the surface and become difficult to remove.

How much does a 50 lb bag of polymeric sand cover?

When filling small gaps, a 50lb bag of polymeric sand will usually cover 75-100 ft². When filling wide gaps of 1/4″ to 3/8″ a 50lb bag will usually cover 30-60 ft². Wider gaps, for example with a flagstone patio, will require even more sand to fill.

Will polymeric sand stop pavers from moving?

If you're looking for a way to improve the stability of your paver patio or walkway, polymer sand is a great option. Polymeric sand helps to hold the pavers in place and prevents them from shifting or moving.

How long does it take for polymeric sand to harden?

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. Polymeric sands are designed to soften and re-heal.

How long should polymeric sand be rained on?

While each brand of sand will vary, Alliance Gator G2 Polymeric Sand with Rapid Set Technology is considered rainproof after 15 minutes at temperatures over 32° F degrees.

How long does polymeric sand last?

Polymeric sand can last up to 10 years before replacement is necessary. However, certain manufacturers claim some products can last up to 15 years.

Should you seal pavers before 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.

Does polymeric sand let water through?

It also allows water to permeate through, whereas polymeric sand only lets a small percentage of water to pass through. Since this product allows such a large amount of water to pass through, it is best used in applications where an open graded base is installed that allows water to pass through.

How do you remove hardened polymeric sand?

For even better performance, use a hot water pressure washer at 180 ° F. The heat will reactivate the polymers in the product and allow you to strip away the sand. If it's a smaller paver area, use boiling water.

Can I put new polymeric sand over old?

Yes. If you are tired of sand erosion, weeds and ants on your pavers, Techniseal Polymeric Jointing Sand can be used to replace old sand in your joints. Simply remove the old sand completely and apply Techniseal Jointing Sand.

What can I use instead of polymeric sand?

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.

Do you tamp pavers after installation?

After all the pavers are laid, use a mechanical plate compactor to help set the pavers into the sand bedding. This step involves sweeping sand over the surface which fills up the joints locks the pavers into place. It is important to use fine- grained sand rather than a coarse one.

Is 2 inches of paver base enough?

Accurately Measure Required Base Material

The guidelines are 4 to 6 inches for pedestrian walkways and 8 to 12 inches for driveways. Local soil conditions also impact depth needs. Generally, clay bases need to be dug deeper to facilitate drainage.