polymeric sand problems

When should you not use polymeric sand?

#6 - Too Narrow or Too Wide Joints The sand is simply pushed out of the joints. This is why we don't recommend using polymeric sand on extremely narrow joints. Similarly, too-wide joints can lead to washout, because they allow too much water flow during the activation process.

Does water drain through polymeric sand?

Polymeric sand, if installed properly, will harden to lock you pavers in place and create a more effective weed and insect deterent while still allowing water to drain freely.

What happens if you overwater polymeric sand?

A danger of using too much water too quick creates the possibility of washing away the polymers. Too little water used in the installation process could leave you with a fragile joint. If the joint is not properly watered to at least 2/3's depth, a hardened crust may form at the top of the joint.

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.

Can polymeric sand be removed?

Removing polymeric sand from pavers is not a fun process. You can try to use a hot pressure washer to remove the sand, but you may be left with some sand remaining in the joint. Regardless, you are going to have to scrape out the sand of the joints and use a shop vac or blower to remove this scraped out sand.

Does polymeric sand need to be sealed?

Without any kind of sealer, the sand in your joints will blow and wash away. Fortunately, if you use one of Seal \'n Lock's paver sealers, you won't have to worry one bit about purchasing or installing polymer sand.

Can you put new polymeric sand over old polymeric sand?

CAN I USE POLYMERIC JOINTING SAND? 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.

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.

How often should you apply polymeric sand?

If you chose polymeric sand, even if exposed to the same circumstances as regular sand, it may last up to ten years (or more). Note that to increase durability, you can apply a sealer over pavers in both cases (polymeric and regular sand). This substance acts by creating a protective layer on the flooring surface.

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.

Can you touch up polymeric sand?

0:021:00How to repair the Polymeric Sand - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it can happen where the polymeric sand can break away however it's really easy to fix take someMoreSo it can happen where the polymeric sand can break away however it's really easy to fix take some sand and a little cup. Sprinkle it into the joint. And then just brush away any excess.

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.

What does it mean when sand is polymeric?

If there is a crust forming on the surface of the sand, typically this means that the sand was filled too high or the sand was not watered enough. If the sand was filled too high in the initial installation, the sand will continuously be worn and eroded away.

What is polymeric sand?

Polymeric sand is a sand formula that is swept into the joints of pavers and natural stone to lock in the product, prevent weed growth and insects, and to provide the final touches of any hardscaping job.

Why is it important to familiarize yourself with polymeric sand?

There are universal steps to the process of installing polymeric sand, failure signs, and ways in which you can ensure that your polymeric sand installation will run smoothly.

Why is my sand not setting?

Typically this occurs because there was a rainfall shortly after the installation which caused the sand not to set, the sand was watered for too long, or there is not proper drainage in the base. If the problem is caused by the base, then there is a bigger problem at hand.

How far should you sweep polymeric sand?

Most manufacturers recommend not to sweep the sand more than 10 feet in any direction to avoid separating the delicate formula.

What should not be installed on pavers?

What should not be installed is stone dust or chip dust. That is because this will harden and not allow water to drain through, keeping the water below the pavers and saturating the joints, not allowing the polymeric sand to properly dry and never set.

Why do we put sand in joints?

The reason why we do this step is to ensure that the sand has made its way to the bottom of the joint. The large grains of the sand will lodge themselves part of the way down the joint and will trap the smaller particles near the top making it look like the joint is filled .

Does polymeric sand harden?

Polymeric sand hardens strong enough to bind pavers together, making it the best choice of sand to interlock pavers. But this requires favorable weather conditions and following the manufacturer’s instructions on installing the sand on pavers.

Polymeric sand problems

Apart from failing to harden up, you may experience other challenges after installing polymeric sands for pavers joints. You can prevent these challenges, and one sure method is to read and follow instructions in the manufacture’s manual before installing them.

How deep should polymeric sand be?

A polymeric sand joint should have a minimum depth of 1 inch, while the width should extend between 1/8- 4inches.

Can you seal over polymeric sand?

You can seal over polymeric sand or apply the sealer after installing polymeric sand, either way.

Why does sand crack when under-wating?

Eventually, the crust will break away, eroding the joint. It also causes cracks and gaps, because the sand hasn't fully bonded the entire depth of the joint.

What is dominator sand?

DOMINATOR Polymeric Sand is one of the easiest polymeric sands on the market to install, but sometimes folks still make time-consuming and costly mistakes. So we've collected some of the most common mistakes to help YOU avoid them.

How to get the best bonding performance from the top of the joint to the very bottom?

In order to get the best bonding performance from the top of the joint to the very bottom, it is important to make sure you water your joints the correct amount of time using the "shower" setting on your hose attachment.

How far should I leave sand on pavers?

In fact, it is important to make sure you leave about 1/8" from the top of your pavers. This is critical to help you avoid spill-over once you start watering your joints to activate the sand. Further, overfilled joints will break down over time with traffic on the surface. This will not look good on your project.

Can you use polymeric sand on pavers?

Polymeric Sand is great for stabilizing your pavers because it bonds so well. This becomes a problem though, if it is activated and then allowed to dry ON TOP OF instead of between pavers. This problem can be made even worse and harder to fix if you then apply sealer on top of the sand-crusted pavers, enhancing the rough texture and haze. Of course, when applied properly though, sealer can create a beautiful finish to your polymeric sand project.

2. Cement

If you want something that will stay stuck, cement may be a reliable option. Cement doesn’t erode or anything of that sort. Once it’s there, it is there. It’s a trendy choice for keeping just about anything in place, including pavers.

3. Stone Dust

Stone dust is a by-product of crushed stone like gravel. It is all the very tiny pieces that don’t make it into the completed product. This by-product can be beneficial when you’re doing paver projects, as it is a rougher version of sand.

4. Plain Sand

Polymeric sand is a type of sand. For this reason, many people may opt for plain sand as an alternative. While this can work, sand is not as suitable for filling the area between pavers as regular sand is for a few different reasons.

Can you make your polymeric sand?

Not from scratch. Some companies do sell polymeric sand concentrated, which you mix with regular sand or some other product. However, you do have to purchase the concentrate. You can’t make polymeric sand easily from stuff that is accessible to most homeowners.

Does polymeric sand wash away?

This sand includes chemical binders that harden when water is added. When you use this sort of sand, you add water to it to harden it. This prevents the sand from washing away and also keeps the weeds and ants away.

Is polymeric sand necessary?

When you’re putting down pavers, polymeric sand is the go-to option for filling the joints. However, that doesn’t make it the only option out there. There are quite a few alternatives that you may find helpful if you can’t find polymeric sand. These alternatives include things like cement and even regular sand.

Can I use cement instead of polymeric sand?

Yes. Cement is just a bit harder to apply and may not hold up as long, depending on your location and environment. Cement is one of the better alternatives to polymeric sand.