Table of Contents
What is polymer sand used for?
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. Jointing sand is made up of fine grains, to which manufacturers add a mixture of specific additive particles.
Why I dont use polymeric sand?
Polymeric sand will only become vulnerable to these weed seeds and burrowing insects like ants if cracks are allowed to form in the joints. All-purpose sand will slow down weed growth and insect burrowing for a short time after installation. However, it’s not a long-term solution.
Will water drain through polymeric sand?
Installing polymeric sand involves more than just sweeping and watering. 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.
How does polymer sand work?
Polymeric sand is swept into the gaps between pavers. The pavers are then compacted to ensure that the sand spreads thoroughly into every crack. Once the surface has been cleared of any excess polymeric sand, a light mist of water is sprayed over it to activate the binding agent.
Can you use polymeric sand as a base?
The correct sand for laying a base under concrete pavers is concrete sand. Concrete sand is extremely course so it can be compacted uniformly and allows for adequate water drainage. Polymeric sand is also acceptable as is any sand that has angular edges and a particle size of 1/8 inch in diameter.
Do you really need polymeric sand?
Polymeric Sand is as ubiquitous to interlocking pavers as garden soil to gardening. You need good garden soil to grow your vegetables and plans. You need good polymeric sand to maintain the look and appearance of your landscape.
Do you need polymeric sand?
Polymeric Sand is great for stabilizing your pavers because it bonds so well. Use a pushing motion to ensure that you aren’t leaving any sand on top of the pavers, while pushing it back into the adjacent joints. Any excess polymers and sand should be rinsed off of the project surface.
What can I use instead of polymeric sand?
Builder’s sand is the most common replacement for polymeric sand, as it is easy to access and not expensive. It is used heavily in construction projects, hence its name. Because this sand is very coarse, you will need to use it regularly. You’ll have to reapply it for years as it settles.
Can you use polymeric sand for expansion joints?
Silica is such an additive and is often used to help lock the fine sand particles together.” However, polymeric sand is unique because it will allow the joints to expand and contract with the elements like hot sun during the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter.
Does polymeric sand harden like concrete?
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 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.
What happens if polymeric sand gets rained on?
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. However, once water is applied, any remaining polymeric sand particles will harden and remain on the surface resulting in an unhappy customer.
Is paver sand good for drainage?
Soil amendments repair the soil by adding paver sand, which is much more porous than clay and, when mixed with clay soils, can improve the soil’s drainage. Amending soil is a big project to take on, since it requires a finished soil that is at least 50 percent paver sand.
Does water drain through pavers?
Pavers are permeable and are laid with small spaces in between them. These features allow water to run through them and back into the ground below instead of sitting on top, like it would with asphalt or concrete.
Does polymeric sand get soft when wet?
Polymeric jointing sand is a high-tech mix of graded, colored sand and a binder, specially formulated for the filling of joints between pavers, slabs or natural stones. Unlike conventional sand it stays in place and remains stable. It softens when wet and firms up when dry to better resist soil movements.
How big a gap can Polymeric sand fill?
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.
Does polymeric sand stop weeds?
Many owners will opt for merely topping up the low joints with new polymeric sand. Not only will this keep weeds out indefinitely, but it will also bring back the interlocking structural strength that polymeric sand provides to the paver system.
What kind of sand do you use for paver base?
The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute recommends washed concrete sand as the best base sand for pavers. Concrete sand, also known as bedding sand, is coarse and doesn’t trap excess moisture beneath the paver surface.
Can you use paver sand under a pool?
In many instances, this type of sand is utilized for purposes including the development of cement or hot mix asphalt, but it’s also useful for holding paving stones in place, and can make a good solution for establishing a level surface for above-ground swimming pools.
Can you lay pavers on sand only?
The vast majority of sand you see is just small pieces of rock. On some beaches it can be tiny pieces of sea shells or broken coral. In other words, compacted sand can provide a sufficient base for a paver patio that’s just going to have you walking across it.
