Repeat these steps until the joints are full to 1/8″ below the top of the paver or bottom of the chamfer of. To ensure that the dry Paver Set fills the entire joint it is necessary to compact the material before wetting. is recommended to plan for at least 24 hours without rain in order to obtain optimal performances. If the workpiece turned out to be a little wider, it is necessary to knock out the “wings” with a hammer. Make sure there isn’t any dampness prior to diving right in and dumping those. Once that level is compacted, add more material and repeat the process. Vibrate the GATOR MAXX G2 into the paver joints using a vibratory plate compactor. Compact following industry guidelines. Sweep more sand into the joints until the sand is within 1/8” of the top of the paver. Polymeric sand cannot be installed in pavers placed on stone dust. Then install the pavers, followed by plastic edging. 5-Cu Ft Brown Paver Base - Establish Strong Foundation for Patios, Walkways, and Pool Decks - Easy to Use - Cover with Leveling Sand. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor. After our first 4″ lift, we will install a biaxial geogrid to add extra support to our open-graded base. Remove the straight edge and use the chisel and hammer to deepen the groove to about 1/8-inch. Polymeric sand is a great way to fill the gaps between pavers to prevent weed growth and to help keep the pavers in place. After all the pavers are laid out, carefully sweep polymeric sand into the 1/4-inch wide joints. -deep layer of compacted gravel. This will both protect your pavers and prevent erosion. Use a powerAt Home Depot, one of the best-selling plate compactors is the Wen 7 JP 4500-Pound Plate Compactor, which will set you back around $600. If us- ing polymeric sand, you can install it after the sealer application has properly cured for 24 – 48 hours. 1. 1. Remove excess residue with a leaf blower. You can portable any type of kind of dirt by adding the ideal amount of water to make sure that it changes the pores inside the dirt. And don’t forget a protective pad for under the plate compactor! 4. Drive spikes at the ends of each length of edging, and about every 18 inches in between. I'm wrapping up a patio installation. Stone dust traps and retains moisture which causes polymeric sand to fail. Paver Set must be placed in the full depth of the joint. To remove polymeric sand haze from pavers, use a pressure washer with a fan tip nozzle. Polymeric sand is a type of sand that is used in construction. ) Spread and sweep the sand. The cost of a full power wash and installation of polymeric sand and a wet-look sealer for an average-sized patio ranges from $1. Additionally, polymeric sand helps to keep pavers from becoming loose or wobbling in areas susceptible to erosion or weathering. Do your best to saturate to the level of the sand. Share. Installation Conditions: Bedding must be made of dense graded sand. Polymer Sand should be wetted in three (3) steps. Building a pathway from the driveway to the front porch over the long weekend. Over-Watering And Under-Watering. without ever contracting. All-purpose sand is the go-to product for sealing paver joints. Step 4: Build the base course. The sand - "concrete sand" is where the interlock takes place - it comes up and fills the joints causing them to lock up. Handles light duty applications of sand and gravel into crevices to lock in pavers, bricks and blocks using a 14" plate. You’ll want to repeat sweeping and compacting until the joints are filled and consolidated. Step 3: create a layer of frost protection. 1. Minimize the machine’s production as much as possible. Spread it Correctly. It also helps to ensure that pavers are firmly set and secure on the surface. After joints are filled, sweep excess product from the surface. It has exceptional joint stabilizing properties, making it suitable for high-traffic areas such as patios, pool decks, pavements, parking lots, and driveways. If the pavers are damp the polymer will leave a stain on the pavers. Lay Base Material. Pavers must be completely dry before installing polymeric sand. Remove all sand residue with the leaf blower. It's ideal for leveling gravel, smoothing and flattening dirt, repairing asphalt, and tamping loose soil. By increasing the interlock of the pavers and helping to form a solid base, polymeric sand makes it difficult for the pavers to move or shift. 22. Remove the straight edge and use the chisel and hammer to deepen the groove to about 1/8-inch. Ivory. The sand gets swept around the pavers and a rubber mallet is used rather than a plate compactor with a pad or a roller compactor to consolidate the sand to the bottom of the joint. Let plastic panels take the place of the gravel base. The pavers were high quality Cambridge with faux bluestone clefts. Polymer sand will help seal the gaps and keep the weeds growing. An alternative is to use a rubber-roller compactor for the final compaction. . In laying the bedding sand you should always remember to pour in an even 1/2" thick across the area and not to go over 1". Then see how quickly it sets up and hardens. 7 kg | 50 lbs (bag) 56. Start by laying perforated plastic drainage tubing along the base of the wall slightly above ground level so it can drain to daylight. However, Gator Base has their own system where instead of using nails, they have screws that adhere the edge. One of the most important steps in a polymeric sand installation is proper compaction of the sand into the joints. 3. Place the flagstones on top of the sand in the desired pattern. Do this at a time when it won;t rain for at least 2 or 3 days Buy an appropriate amount of Polymeric Sand (get a bit more than you think you need) and rent a. Polymeric sand cannot be installed in pavers placed on stone dust. Cement sand solidifies rapidly, making. . Compaction shakes the sand deeper into the joints, which helps with making the sand more permanent and getting good sand density in the joints. The first time you should just sprinkle regular water on the sand, and the second time you should lightly mist or sprinkle only enough water to make the. Don’t install the sand until the pavers are secure. This will prepare you for the next step. of centrifugal force. Polymeric sand needs to be installed on a dry surface. Two types of paver. Sweep the paving surface to remove any obstruction to the compacting machine. Sweep a broom across the pavers at a 45 degree angle to fill joints. Multiply the length by the width to get the square footage. Sealing. of polymeric sand you will end up with a mess. Now the fun really begins! Lay the pavers directly on the Brock PaverBase panels. Polymeric sand is fortified with polymer to prevent washout between pavers. 3 REPEAT X2* 4 5 Remove excess sand from surface with a fine-bristle broom. Keep the stones close together to avoid large gaps. com. 35 to $2 per square foot, depending on the size. I hand tamped the paver base and don’t have easy access to a plate compactor. You’ll have to use the compactor one more time. 08 cm) wide and the. Polymer sand takes 12 hours to cure and 24 hours to dry. 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. Use a broom to fill gaps. Inspect for moisture. Determine the thickness of the sand layer (usually around 1 inch) and calculate the volume in cubic feet. How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor . 22. Improper Compaction. The most common method is dry-laying, which basically involves arranging the patio stones in a desired pattern, without using any mortar. Plus, it’s available in different colors to match any paver color. How to use polymeric sand: Don’t cheap out on sand. If you're in a freeze/thaw cycle climate that can also cause that. Can you use mason sand between pavers? This is the recommended sand for use under pavers. 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. This may not be as effective as using a compactor to ensure a proper bond, but it is the best way to make sure the joint is secure without the proper equipment. The smaller the gap can make installation more difficult. Sprinkle a uniform layer of Gator Maxx g2 polymeric sand evenly over the surface of the project area. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is vital to ensure that the weather isn’t going to count against you when you use polymeric sand for any project. The sand provides height and support for the pavers while promoting drainage. • Surface and joints must be dry. Re: polymeric sand vs regular sand for paver patio There is absolutely NO EXCUSE to use anything but polymeric sand in 2012. Anchor the Edging. Use a vibrating plate compactor to compact joint sand/polymeric sand prior to activation/stabilizing. These include cleaning the surface, sweeping the sand, consolidating the sand with a vibratory plate compactor and a protective layer between the compactor and pavers, repeating these steps until the joints are at. 1. It is important if you do this step that you use the biaxial geogrid instead of the uniaxial. In the past, a typical polymeric sand installation looked something like this: 1. To calculate the amount of sand needed for pavers, measure the length and width of the area to be paved. The application of polymeric sand marks the final stage of any paving project. 5. Sometimes referred to as a compactor, a tamper is a tool with a handle similar to a shovel's and a heavy, square base that is used for packing and leveling materials like dirt, sand, and rock. 7% 0lvwdnhvwr$yrlgwr(qvxuhd 6xffhvvixo3rophulf6dqg,qvwdoodwlrq $vhulhvriwhfkqlfdoexoohwlqviurp6(. EnviroSAND and white-washed sand are the two best alternatives to polymeric sand. Builder’s Sand. Estimated Cost: $40 to $60 Polymeric sand is a mixture of fine sand combined with other additives. Planning on a 4" base of compacted crusher run, and a 1" bedding layer of granite sand (pretty typical walkway installation). Use a low-pressure spray nozzle on. Add Sand Between the Cracks Sweep polymeric sand into the cracks between the pavers to help bond the pavers. What can be done if polymeric sand does not harden? If polymeric sand does not harden, the best solution is to remove the existing sand, apply a new layer, and ensure that the sand is dampened before and during application. 2. Building a pathway from the driveway to the front porch over the long weekend. Step 6: clean the vibrating plate. Most sands require enough water to saturate the sand just until the water stops soaking into the joint. Installation Instructions: • Distribute PolySweep evenly across surface. Sweep polymeric sand over the pavers and ground it into the joints with a broom. However, not everyone wants to use polymeric sand, and many homeowners opt for an alternative. . Photo courtesy of Unilock. for pricing and availability. This is why it’s important to sweep in more sand to ensure the joints get filled up to 1/8 inch (3mm) below the paver’s edge or chamfer. Without mechanical compaction, joints will remain weak and fail quickly. Use concrete sand and only 3/4" under the pavers. Pour two inches of sand over the landscape fabric. Slope the tubing about 1/4 in. Specifically developed the installation of flagstones and other surfaces not suited for mechanical compaction, NOCO is the first true alternative to mortar and stone dust. Step 6: Filling up the air pocket is vital in installing polymeric sand, and many people tend to skip this step, but you shouldn’t. Let me show you how we install polymeric sand to complete this pave patio. Try this next time you doubt compacting as a proven method: 1. Moreover, polymeric sand gives the best result when used in full depth. Continue to move the jointing compound around the surface filling the joints to 1/8″ below the top of paver or bottom of chamfer. Inspect the pavers to make sure the sand in the crevices is at least 1/8″ below the top of the pavers. The sand should sit around 1/10th inch below the top of the paver or even with the lower edge of the bevel. After water activation,. 2C. Polymeric sand should come to the BOTTOM of the bevel. Gibson, Shutterstock. 5. Spread polymeric sand in sections. Considering this,how many square feet does a 50 lb bag of polymeric sand cover? One bag of 50 lbs (22. Each bag will cover approximately 85 square feet, although the coverage can vary depending on the size of the paver or joints. Position the chisel in the groove. The vibration of a compactor is vital to settling sand or polymeric sand into the joints between pavers. The gravel base is flexible and will move ever so slightly during freeze-thaw. 3. One of the most important steps in a polymeric sand installation is proper compaction of the sand into the joints. Once the joints have been filled, they will not be affected by erosion, making them impermeable. A roller compactor is best for slab installation. If the workpiece turned out to be a little wider, it is necessary to knock out the “wings” with a hammer. Builder’s sand is the most common replacement for polymeric sand, and it is easy to access and affordable. A traditional base for a paver or stone patio is a 6-in. Apply a uniform coating of polymer sand over the. Po. The vibration also compacts the sand grains together with fine dust between which further locks them. If using paver sand, maintain a gap of about 2 to 3 inches between the stones. e. Don’t use the wrong base material. With the sand exactly where I wanted it, I grabbed the hose and set it to the “shower” mode. Consider this my official mulch glue. 11. I laid 12" square, 1-5/8" thick concrete pavers. I'm reading mixed reviews online. 8 m2) if the joints are about 1″ to 2″ (2. How Polymeric Sand Works. Is hand tamping effective?Also, make sure to sweep the polymeric sand into the gap and tap the pavers together after the installation in order to ensure that the polymeric sand settles into the joint. We just spent 2 weeks laying pavers ourselves and used sand (non polymeric) to set them. Convert the volume to cubic yards if needed. Techniseal Polymeric Sand for Paver Joints Installation Procedure Yield: 10 x 10 surface. makes the pavers move less under your feet. They’ll withstand the rain. 7. 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. Spread more product to fill joints again. Try not to over or under-saturated, as is demonstrated by the image. You should not use this sand if there is unevenness in the gravel base. 6. However, once water is applied, any remaining polymeric sand particles will harden and remain on the surface resulting in an unhappy customer. The difference being the function of them. After the initial compaction, you'll notice that the height of the sand will drop dramatically about 30-50%!Oct 10, 20183. UNDER-WATERING causes the polymeric sand to simply form a "crust" on the top. To ensure that the dry Paver Set fills the entire joint it is necessary to compact the material before wetting. 4. Please note that coverage power largely depends on the type of material being laid down, as well as on actual joint width and height. It’s best to compact in several directions to ensure there are no air gaps or voids in the joints. Steps for installation: Spread product evenly on a small surface. Afterwards, you can spread the polymeric sand on your installation, making sure to sweep the sand around to fill every joint between the pavers. On the contrary, using too little can result in the product not setting up properly. Perfect for joints from ¼ to 4 inches wide, NOCO is the ideal jointing solution for pool decks, patios, and walkways. Polymeric sand was invented by Techniseal in 1999, and it has improved the. Can I Use a Hand Tamper for Polymeric Sand? In the use of polymeric sand, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) recommends compacting the pavers. Polymeric sand is used to fill the joints between paving stones, enhancing both aesthetics and durability of the overall structure. This will vibrate the sand to the bottom of the joint. First, clear the area of any debris, weeds, etc. BEST OVERALL: Black Diamond Coatings Dominator Polymeric Sand. Proprietary polymer/organic. Easier Paver Patios. 9. The rest of the ingredients are some type of filler and the proprietary glue. The compactor scuffed every single raised cleft, chipped 2 pavers and broke 3. Lastly, fill the area evenly with sand and compact the area. 1. Superior Bonding: Polymeric sand contains additives that activate. You can go without compaction, but the polysand can come up after a few years. Step 2: prepare the substrate. Use the vibrating plate compactor to shake it down. For wide joints: 20 to 40 sq. My bad for not realizing it's polymeric sand. The second layer should be applied in the same manner as the first layer. One of the most important steps in a polymeric sand installation is proper compaction of the sand into the joints. 2. 4. Put down paver base (compactible gravels) and DO compact for every 2" of subbase. Step 7: Visually inspect the tops of the brick pavers to ensure that there is no sand remaining on them. -6xuherqg« ³$fklhylqj,qvwdoodwlrq3huihfwlrq´Step 1: Add Sand Between the Pavers. Polymeric sand is a mixture of fine sand combined with other additives. At this stage, the goal is to saturate your patio area with enough water to reach and activate ALL the sand between pavers. You should not use polymeric sand if the area you are trying to fill with it is prone to high levels of rain and water runoff, as the sand can be easily washed away. ) Sweep and blow residue off the surface. Perfect for joints from ¼ to 4 inches wide, NOCO is the ideal jointing solution for pool decks, patios, and walkways. When mixed with water, it forms a strong binding agent. Polymeric sand is a special blend of fine sand and polymer additives that stops the growth of weeds, resists erosion, and helps protect pavers and other hardscaping projects. New jobs will. Cutting corners and not following the manufacturer’s instructions tops the list. Credit: Charles F. Sand the surface. This product is ideal for paver joints of up to a maximum of 2". Step 1: Plan and Prepare the. . Rain means that we cannot install. A roller compactor is best for slab installation. It's normal for it to loosen a bit the first season or two as things finish settling. Step 1: protective clothing. A final layer is gently swept into the gaps, without the aid of any compaction. How to Use Polymeric Sand. Pour the sand onto the pavers and sweep it into the joints. The result is a longer-lasting paver installation. After the initial compaction, you'll notice that the height of the sand will drop dramatically about 30-50%!Oct 10, 2018 3. Paver sand is typically composed of coarse bleached white sand, which is washed and screened to remove impurities. . Polymeric sand is a sand formula that is swept into the joints of pavers and natura. Clear the Residue. Polymeric sand also helps to protect and maintain the stability of the pavers. If you still have the compactor, use it on top of the brick (with the light layer of sand still present). Plate compactors work best on granular soils such as gravel, sand or light asphalt. Pavers Contain Moisture At The Time Of Installation; 2. The stones are laid on top of the sand and almost ready to sweep polymeric sand on top. This product is ideal for filling joints between pavers and natural stones up to 4 inches. I am setting the pavers over uncompacted sand about 1/2 inch above the sidewalk and will use a plate compactor to settle them (i hope) down to the. Eventually, the crust will break away, eroding the joint. All sand. Below, find picks for the best polymeric sand in a range of categories. e. B. If the area is large enough,6. Good to Know. This is critical. Tamp the antiqued pavers with a four horsepower vibratory plate compactor, using a rubber mat, not a polyurethane mat or use a vibratory roller. Minimize the machine’s production as much as possible. 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. Activate the sand by lightly showering the pavers with water according to the manufacturer’s directions. The polymeric sand that I used recommends showering 30 square feet for 30 seconds, until the water starts to pool and the sand repels it. This is why it’s important to sweep in more sand to ensure the joints get filled up to 1/8 inch (3mm) below the paver’s edge or chamfer. My Mulch Glue & Polymeric Sand Review (One Year Later) August 28, 2023. A polymeric sand installation requires the use of a controlled and methodical watering technique. Next come the pavers themselves, followed by polymeric sand applied in the joints (empty spaces between the pavers). This polymeric sand however, seems to preclude me using water as a tool to help it settle. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: Disperse product evenly over a small area. I tried to look. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor . Techniseal NOCO Polymeric Joint No Compaction Desert Tan 50 lb. Step 2: prepare the substrate. One of the most important steps in a polymeric sand installation is proper compaction of the sand into the joints. Some people place a mat of sorts between the compactor and pavers, presumably to prevent scratching. Step 1. Don’t ever install porcelain pavers without the required 4mm spacing between them. Do not use a plate compactor on the pavers. In retrospect, this was a dumb thing to do. How Polymeric Sand Works. 7 kg | 50 lbs (bag) 56. The best polymeric sand is made of binding materials such as quartz, silica and. For a typical 10 x 12-ft. You’ll need to dig down far enough to accommodate 3-4″ of packed gravel base, 1″ of leveling material, plus the thickness of the pavers. The first time you should just sprinkle regular water on the sand, and the second time you should lightly mist or sprinkle only enough water to make the. Next, pour the sand on top of the pavers. Don’t use the wrong base material. Ivory. Joint compounds, on the other hand, can last as long as 20 years if correctly installed. Polymeric sand is a blend of properly graded fine sand and a binder compound (polymer) that is specially formulated for filling in the joints between bricks, pavers and natural stones for hardscapes such as patios, driveways and walkways. Applying polymeric sand involves pouring it into paver joints, watering it, and allowing it to set for a few days. Draw the chisel across the paver in the same way you might cut cardboard with a utility knife. Pour The Sand 2. Start by testing the pressure washer in an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t damage the pavers. . It also causes cracks and gaps, because the sand hasn't fully bonded the entire depth of the joint. Discover compactor machines for your next project at Lowes. makes it more difficult for weeds to grow. ft per 50 lb bag. Let me show you how we install polymeric sand to complete this pave patio. polysand) Ideal for filling gaps between pavers, stones or bricks in patios, walkways, driveways or any hardscaping project. Using Quikrete polymeric jointing sand is relatively easy. Blow across the pavers, not down, otherwise you can blow too much sand out of the cracks. It is too rough, and it requires more strength than a. You always want to work in small sections. The sand remains hard when dry and flexible when wet. Pro Tip: Installing cement sand uses the same method as installing polymeric sand. As mentioned above, with the plate compactor it should take you 2-3 passes for a mixture of fine and rough gravel. Stone dust traps and retains moisture which causes polymeric sand to fail. 180 posts · Joined 2012. The pavers are placed in the desired pattern and the space between pavers is then filled with a polymeric sand. 5. Again, failing. It has several advantages: It is stable, so the sand won’t end up on the top of your pavers; it allows you to power wash your patio without displacing the joint sand; it gives the patio a cleaner,BUY ON AMAZON | $59. Convert the volume to cubic yards if needed. When you install polymeric sand in the joints of pavers, the manufacturers suggest that you spray the paved area with water and leave time to dry. 5. Draw the chisel across the paver in the same way you might cut cardboard with a utility knife. Once the pavers have been installed, the polymeric sand should be swept between each of your pavers to level with the top of the unit. You would also need crushed limestone (also called crushed gravel), polymeric sand, rope, sand, and safety equipment. This special type of sand comprises pulverized materials. The entire installation is built to take advantage of it. We once did this before removing the pavers, but then stacked the pavers and the old dirty jointing material just made the pavers dirty again. (Keep in mind, narrow joints require more care to completely fill. If possible, use a heavy roller, such as a paint roller, to roll over the area to help even. After the base of crushed stone, a 1. Installation Conditions: Bedding must be made of dense graded sand. This is usually done after the polymeric sand has been properly installed between paving stones. Perform The First Sweep 3. Rent one at a tool rental outlet. Use a quality plate compactor (I recommend WEN 56035T) to run over the surface and let it help put the sand down. Plastic 4mm spacers should. White-washed sand and EnviroSAND provide a similar solution without the need for polymeric sand. 7. It may not even be the most popular option. A manual compaction will never replace the use of a plate compactor 3. Determine the thickness of the sand layer (usually around 1 inch) and calculate the volume in cubic feet. Don’t use too little water. This step is critical to obtain solid, durable joints. 1How to portable sand without a compactor .