4. I'm currently working on a brick garden edging project. Updated on March 1, 2023. I show you the entire process for interlocking, but the same process can be used. Plan A – Shop Vac I started with a shop vac to suck up all of the sand. 8. After that, rinse the pavement with a garden hose to remove the polymeric sand haze and the vinegar solution from the pavement. makes the pavers move less under your feet. How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor Step 1: protective clothing. Ideal for flagstones, pool decks, patios and walkways • The first polymeric jointing product made specifically for surfaces that are not suited for mechanical compaction. com. Considering this,how many square feet does a 50 lb bag of polymeric sand cover? One bag of 50 lbs (22. Shower your pavers to seal and harden the sand. Pass over the paving surface twice using your plate compactor. And although it is not completely waterproof, it can hold its structure by firming up when completely dry. Keep this guide of what NOT to do in mind on every job and you’ll be set up for success! Don’t overlook the need for drainage. • Compact again to minimize voids in sand joints. Can I lay a patio without compactor? Yes, you can lay a patio without a compactor. 6. 11. Apply a uniform coating of polymer sand over the. Keep the. For Concrete Pavers: Run vibratory compactor over Rthe pavement to allow the vibrations to shift sand particles into the joints and. Late last summer, I tackled a couple of outdoor DIY projects using some new-to-me products – mulch glue and polymeric sand. Step 1. Repeat this dampening 3 times, in 15-20. Make sure to fill every grout line, moving the pavers slightly to compact the sand between them. 1 Sweep with a push broom in all directions so joints are filled. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor. You may need to cut the PVC pipes to fit curves in your layout. Is it just a polymeric sand that is hyped up and put in a bag?. It took me a while to understand the importance of following the instructions that are included on your bags of sand. Polymeric sand is used to fill in the joints in between brick pavers. A compactor is a machine that is used to reduce the size of objects by compressing them. Fasten screws on all sides. One of the most important steps in a polymeric sand installation is proper compaction of the sand into the joints. Using too much water can cause the sand to wash out of the joints. Ad. The difference being the function of them. Sand the surface. This method of installing the polymeric sand can be applied to almost any paver application. How can I use polymeric sand without a compactor? Spread the polymeric sand over the entire surface until a uniform layer is obtained. In a Gator Base installation, both the native soil and the bedding sand needs to be prepared and compacted the same way you’d prepare and compact a traditional base installation. If this is not practical use a broom handle to tap on. Without mechanical compaction, joints will remain weak and fail quickly. which may result in and low volumes of the soil and HPB and can be put in place without compaction, but may settle slightly. -deep layer of compacted gravel. It also causes cracks and gaps, because the sand hasn't fully bonded the entire depth of the joint. Author: Mrs. It is used heavily in construction projects, hence its name. It might be necessary to use a hand tamp like the one above if you’re working within a limited area. In this blog post, we will explore the functionality and benefits of the Polymeric Sand. The most obvious inherent problems of polymeric sand relate to when and how it is used. Selecting the right plate compactor is key to getting your polymeric sand installation done right. Step 2: prepare the substrate. 3. You can use a stiff brush to scrub the solution into the surface of the pavers and loosen any remaining haze. Do not use a plate compactor to compact the sand. Find My Store. tamp the sand and recheck to make sure you do not have any high or low spots. Credit: Charles F. How do you compact polymeric sand without a compactor? How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor . Step 2: Dig. Edging is important, because it keeps the pavers from shifting. In short: sweep the stone dust into the joints, hose down. Use a stiff bristle brush to push the sand into the joints. To calculate the amount of sand needed for pavers, measure the length and width of the area to be paved. 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. Before laying bedding sand or pavers, your gravel base needs to be flat and firm, without any bellies or rises of more than 1/8″. Step 2: prepare the substrate. Spray water over the gravel to wet it down so the stones compact better. Installation Conditions: Bedding must be made of dense graded sand. • Temperature must be above 32 °F (0 °C) for 48 hours following installation. The sand should sit around 1/10th inch below the top of the paver or even with the lower edge of the bevel. Polymeric sand improves the overall durability of the hardscape you install. If existing project, properly clean out joints before applying polymeric sand and skip to step C. It also helps to ensure that pavers are firmly set and secure on the surface. Polymeric sands have really come along way since their inception in 1999 by Techni Seal. Step 3: create a layer of frost protection. This process also helps to secure the pavers into place. R. Remove excess residue with a leaf blower. Polymer Sand should be wetted in three (3) steps. Go over the installation at least once before applying the polymeric sand. Polymeric sand is repeatedly utilised in construction or landscaping projects to fill the splices between loose-set pavers on footpaths and terraces. Once all of the pavers are in place, fill in the gaps between them with polymer sand. With a push broom sweep it into all seams of your paver surface. The stirrer should now be placed over the pit. If polymeric sand is installed prior to sealing, be sure surface is dry for 24 hours before applying sealer. By doing so make sure that you are excavating the right depth of the substrate. Power wash the pavers at the end prior to installing the polymeric sand. Be careful not to overwater, as excessive water can wash away the sand; Allow the polymeric sand to dry and cure. 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. This will both protect your pavers and prevent erosion. Over-Watering And Under-WateringTo use vinegar to remove polymeric sand haze, mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a bucket. Like your bare feet, Then polymeric sand again, and a padded compactor, to set it all solid, then a bit more polymeric, to refill the voids, then gently sprinkle water to activate the polymeric, let dry and seal if you want, but not necessary. A roller compactor is best for slab installation. Plastic 4mm spacers should. Get a leaf blower and blow it at an acute (shallow) angle to blow any sand and dust off the top of the pavers/bricks. This sand is also known as joint sand or leveling sand. Draw the chisel across the paver in the same way you might cut cardboard with a utility knife. Use a soft bristle broom and fill the gaps to their full depth. To ensure that the dry Paver Set fills the entire joint it is necessary to compact the material before wetting. Epic Fail #1: Too much or too little watering. Polymeric sand helps to hold the pavers in place and prevents them from shifting or moving. Scroll down to the heading that says “How to install stone dust in between your flagstones”. (bag. The vibration of a compactor is vital to settling sand or polymeric sand into the joints between pavers. Polymeric sand is powerful stuff. Blow across the pavers, not down, otherwise you can blow too much sand out of the cracks. Easy step by step application of polymeric sand for your pavers so you end up with a beautiful professional looking finish on your pavers! (Product used spe. Wait 24 hours after rain. 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. You should stop every 4 feet and pull a string line along the laying face, with a screwdriver, adjust that face to the string line. With small gaps simply brushing the polymeric around on the surface doesn't work well. To apply the polymeric sand, make sure that the area is free from dirt and debris. 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. First, use the utility knife to open the sandbag. 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. Polymeric Sand Installation Step 3 IMPORTANT 30-30 WATER ACTIVATION NOTES. of polymeric sand you will end up with a mess. It was raining on our project today and we were in the final wrap up stage of installing the jointing compound on this one. A paver installation should be performed to ICPI specifications, i. The material will settle when you hose it down, so. This will generate a vibration and pack down the product. Typically our guys only do this for vehicular applications, not pedestrian. If you continue with wet pavers the sand will bond to the tops of the pavers. To compact the pavers themselves without a plate compactor, you're going to use a rubber mallet. Again, failing. How long does polymeric sand last? Polymeric sand can last up to 10 years before replacement is necessary. When mixed with water, it forms a strong binding agent. 8 m2) if the joints are about 1″ to 2″ (2. Can you use mason sand between pavers? This is the recommended sand for use under pavers. It’s best to compact in several directions to ensure there are no air gaps or voids in the joints. When mixed with water, it forms a strong binding agent that can be used to fill spaces between pavers, tiles, and more. Don’t overfill the paver joints. (1. It is a type of sand that is created by mixing fine sand, binders and additives that help lock pavers together in place. Step 6: clean. Step 3: create a layer of frost protection. Possible Reasons For Polymeric Sand Not Hardening Properly. 5-inch layer of bedding sand needs to be applied. The joints should be filled up to 1/8 inch (3mm) below the paver’s edge or chamfer. 140 Reviews. Perform The First Sweep 3. Polymeric sand is a great way to fill the gaps between pavers to prevent weed growth and to help keep the pavers in place. Step 2: prepare the substrate. Tampers are ideal for leveling dirt and mulch after planting shrubs and small trees, leveling and packing paver base before installing a. Check Price. Installation Instructions: • Distribute PolySweep evenly across surface. section at a time. G2 polymeric sands feature a special NO DUST / NO HAZE formula and only requires a single watering to activate. Your best bet is to remove all the old polymeric down to the depth of your stones and then reapply new sand but I've had decent experience without removing all the material when the gap is at least 2" deep. Compact the sand into the joints of the pavers. 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. If the workpiece turned out to be a little wider, it is necessary to knock out the “wings” with a hammer. Before starting work, you should put on the correct protective clothing. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor . A rubber pad is recommended. It’s ok to surpass it a little. Use a broom to fill gaps. Polymeric sand is essentially a sand that when combined with water and something such as silica forms a tight bond. Each bag will cover approximately 85 square feet, although the coverage can vary depending on the size of the paver or joints. If you are trying to do a straight line, and the line gets crooked, hammer the row back in place using a rubber mallet. 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. One simple method for compacting sand without a compactor is walking over moist soil. Plate compactors work best on granular soils such as gravel, sand or light asphalt. It's normal for it to loosen a bit the first season or two as things finish settling. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor. Run a plate compactor and reapply. I hand tamped the paver base and don’t have easy access to a plate compactor. Problems during the curing process can decrease its lifespan. It takes about a minimum of 24 hours for polymeric sand to completely set. I'm reading mixed reviews online. 1. Brush sand into joints at a 45-degree angle. It can also be a long-term solution for repairing cracks on these surfaces. Without that vibration sand/polymeric can bridge making it look like the cracks are full even though it is empty/hollow below the bridge. Step 1: protective clothing. 5) 4. Updated on March 1, 2023 by Anton Giuroiu. A worse way to go about it would be to lay the flagstone upon a bed of gravel and then cement the joints between stones. • On an existing installation, when replacing the sand, always use HP NextGelMC jointing sand. Regular sand can wash away after a heavy rainstorm. 1. Check the underground in the pit carefully. . The sand - "concrete sand" is where the interlock takes place - it comes up and fills the joints causing them to lock up. Once the area is damp, you will spread the polymeric sand across the entire surface of your project. 7 kg | 50 lbs (bag) 56. Compress the border’s encircling thirty to forty cm to provide an edge. 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. This may however not be necessary. Superior Bonding: Polymeric sand contains additives that activate. Not every pressure washing company offers th. Step 2 Vibrate the SUPERSAND G2into the paver joints using a vibratory plate compactor. Multiply the length by the width to get the square footage. Pavers must be completely dry before installing polymeric sand. These are four of the most common mistakes users of polymeric sand tend to make. After filling the joints between the pavers with polymeric sand, compact the whole thing one more time and wet the area to activate the sand. ft per 50 lb bag. The gravel base is flexible and will move ever so slightly during freeze-thaw. This formula also works for joints as wide as 1½ inches, which is rare for a polymeric sand. To activate the polymeric sand, begin by quickly showering the surface with a water hose nozzle. Walkway will be built using Belgard concrete pavers (2-3/8" thick). Do your best to saturate to the level of the sand. Water the sand according to the directions. How to use polymeric sand: Don’t cheap out on sand. -6xuherqg« ³$fklhylqj,qvwdoodwlrq3huihfwlrq´Step 1: Add Sand Between the Pavers. 2. )The joints should be 1/4" wide and as deep as the pavers. 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. For example, if your patio is 20 feet by 10 feet and you are installing 6 inches of granular material as a base, then you must excavate an area 11 feet (10’ + 6” + 6”) by 21 feet (20’ + 6” + 6”). This allows for it to prevent washout, but inevitably it will washout over time and will be subject to weed growth more so than polymeric sand. When all joints are filled, remove excess sand on surface. If you choose to install polymeric sand without a compactor, it is important to ensure that the sand is firmly packed into any cracks or joints in order to prevent the sand from spreading and to ensure that the sand is secure. The advantage of using this type of sand is that it can be used without a compactor. 7 kg | 50 lbs (bag) 56. • Temperature should remain above 0°C during the 48-hour drying period. These include types and ratios of the. The best polymeric sand is made of binding materials such as quartz, silica and. • Pavers must be completely dry before installing polymeric sand. Others just run the compactor directly over top with a layer of paver sand between. If you don't own a compactor, you may be able to rent one at a local home improvement store. Sunniland. If you only have a crust, you don't have a proper bond in the joints. , installed over 1 inch (25 mm) of bedding sand, which will allow proper drainage and a successful polymeric sand installation. For more tips on laying pavers, check out our guide — How to Design and Build a Paver Patio. 1. and a layer of landscape fabric. Polymeric sand is used to fill the joints between paving stones, enhancing both aesthetics and durability of the overall structure. After all the pavers are laid out, carefully sweep polymeric sand into the 1/4-inch wide joints. 5-HP Honda 20-in x 28-in Plate Compactor. Use a broom to fill gaps. Remove the sand base sand that's there now (compact also) 2. Don’t use too little water. An alternative is to use a rubber-roller compactor for the final compaction. With an average price of $30 in most areas. Manage expectations. . Good to Know. (Keep in mind, narrow joints require more care to completely fill. Pavers must have a strong base, a flat bedding, an edge restraint, and a sealing. Draw the chisel across the paver in the same way you might cut cardboard with a utility knife. • Temperature must be above 32°F (0°C) for 48 hours following installation. CheckEspecially grade level cement. makes it more difficult for weeds to grow. Joints sand level, must be at least 1/8″ (3 mm) below top of paver’s surface or 1/8″ (3. 86 to 2. Properly com-pacted joint sand eliminates air pockets and provides optimal stabilization conditions. Polymeric sand has several advantages: It is stable, so the sand won’t end up on the top of your pavers; it allows you to power wash your patio without displacing the joint sand; it gives the patio a cleaner, more finished look. red92s Discussion starter. Over-Watering And Under-Watering. Joints sand level, must be at least 1/8″ (3 mm) below top of paver’s surface or 1/8″ (3 mm) below the chamfer. After our first 4″ lift, we will install a biaxial geogrid to add extra support to our open-graded base. How To Compact Sand Without A Compactor You can compact any type of soil by adding the right amount of water so that it replaces the pores inside the soil. On the contrary, using too little can result in the product not setting up properly. Sweep a broom across the pavers at a 45 degree angle to fill joints. To ensure that the dry Paver Set fills the entire joint it is necessary to compact the material before wetting. 2C. 7% 0lvwdnhvwr$yrlgwr(qvxuhd 6xffhvvixo3rophulf6dqg,qvwdoodwlrq $vhulhvriwhfkqlfdoexoohwlqviurp6(. Check the underground in the pit carefully. Its gas engine produces 4,496 pounds of force, slamming the. Techniseal EZSand 40-lb Brown Paver Polymeric Sand. Alliance Gator Polymeric"Super" Sand, 50 lb. Step 4: Build the base course. Pour a 4 to 6 inch layer of gravel into the patio trench and compact it using the ground compactor, also called a plate compactor. Good to Know. 9. Polymeric sand. Activate the sand by lightly showering the pavers with water according to the manufacturer’s directions. The sand remains hard when dry and flexible when wet. 2. After applying the jointing sand, compacting is advised and then adding more sand. . Ivory. Using a hose on a gentle spray ('mist', or maybe 'flat' if you're adventurous), wet the sand in the gaps. Log in to see your price. Gently tumble bag, then cut the bottom and apply Pavermate Polymeric Sand evenly over the surface. I'm wrapping up a patio installation. Use the vibrating plate compactor to shake it down. NOCO is a "No Compaction" polymeric joint specially developed for the installation of flagstones and other paving materials for which mechanical compaction is not possible or difficult. Designed to work with the WEN Plate Compactor, this pad can be easily installed and lasts job after job without needing a new replacement. of centrifugal force. If possible, use a heavy roller, such as a paint roller, to roll over the area to help even. If water is applied with too much pressure or allowed to pond before the polymeric sand is fully cured, the reactive ingredients will be washed through the sand and produce a weak joint. intervals. Use a plate compactor to vibrate the sand down into the joints. I did this over our entire patio until it was all wet. Polymeric sand is a semi-permeable sand that contains additives and binding agents to lock paver joints into place. Proper use of polymeric sand is an important component to installing a paving stone patio, driveway, walkway, entrance, or any other paving stone project. Curves will require more spikes. Add a gravel base to the area. Go over the installation at least once before applying the polymeric sand. The vibration also compacts the sand grains together with fine dust between which further locks them. Step 1: protective clothing. Eventually, the crust will break away, eroding the joint. Plus, it’s available in different colors to match any paver color. Then add outlets at about 16-ft. Step 4: Build the base course. In addition, pavers themselves can be tamped with a hand tamper. Spraying water on the sand will activate the polymers, causing it to harden, so. Builder’s sand is the most common replacement for polymeric sand, and it is easy to access and affordable. A roller compactor is best for slab installation. . However, once water is applied, any remaining polymeric sand particles will harden and remain on the surface resulting in an unhappy customer. Because they easily follow soil movement. It is different than regular sand, because regular sand not only is it missing the additives that help lock pavers in place, but it can also easily be. It is crucial to remove any traces of cement sand after spraying it with water as it will solidify on the surface of the tiles. Polymeric sand 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, more finished look. Anchor the Edging. Here are the top 4 benefits of polymeric sand: Stronger Bond – Polymeric sand provides a stronger bond between pavers than regular jointing sand, helping to prevent weed growth, shifting, cracking, and other issues associated with the poor paver installation. If you put a thin layer over regular sand, it will peel off. One of the most important steps in a polymeric sand installation is proper compaction of the sand into the joints. Next come the pavers themselves, followed by polymeric sand applied in the joints (empty spaces between the pavers). Polymeric sand should come to the BOTTOM of the bevel. Use a squeegee or soft bristle push broom to move the jointing compound around the surface and water to move the compound to the bottom of the paver joint. Sweep the jointing material over the surface following the manufacturer’s guidelines and filling the joints of the pavers. The joints are tight, largest about 3/8", smallest nearly 0. 5-cu ft Brown Leveling Paver Sand. This Buddingco polymeric sand in beige is a unique blend of calibrated sand and polymer binders and comes in an 18lb pack. You should consider using a plate compactor when the patio or driveway. Install over a drainage base and bed (sand-set). Immediately afterward, wet the same section for an additional 30 seconds until the joints are saturated. Easy Install Procedure. After it is installed, the sand needs to be dampened and thoroughly tamped or compacted with a plate compactor or hand tamp to fill any voids. Where a plate compactor cannot be used, proceed with a manual compaction: hammer vigorously each corner as well as the contour of each slab with a rubber mallet. The application of polymeric sand marks the final stage of any paving project. Installation of Edge Restraint and Polymeric Sand; Edge restraint in base panels follows the same as a typical install with a plastic edge restraint with a 10″ nail driven through every 1′ on straight runs and 6″ on curved runs. If the compactor is not rubber-plated, cover pavers with a woven fabric while compacting to help protect the paver surface from damage. How can I use polymeric sand without a compactor? Spread the polymeric sand over the entire surface until a. Model # 497410. Put down restraint edging (some people move this step to 6. Lastly, fill the area evenly with sand and compact the area. It is different than regular sand, because regular sand not only is it missing the additives that help lock pavers in place, but it can also easily be. The pavers are then compacted again until the joints are full. Polymeric jointing sand has additives that'll hold pavers better than sand alone, but the pavers must be completely dry before application. You may need to cut the PVC pipes to fit curves in your layout. The vibration also compacts the sand grains together with fine dust between which further locks them. Sealing. Many installers cut corners to speed up paving processes. May 16, 2022 A paver installation requires many steps. Bend the “wings” of the workpiece and install the bar in the “shoe”. Using a plate compactor with a protective rubber mat, vibrate the pavers and polymeric sand down into the bedding sand. Sweep sand into joints until full. 5. Do not use a plate compactor to compact the sand. Pour two inches of sand over the landscape fabric. 2. #1 · Sep 3, 2015. Sweep off any excess material cleaning the surface of any granules of the material to avoid scuffing the pavers in the next step. You should not pour it over a low spot on the base if there is any because this will cause your pavers to shift. Yes, polymeric sand can be activated with sealer. When installing polymeric sand for your concrete porch overlay, you will want to ensure that you are using a polymeric sand that is specified for overlays. 5 in. Gibson, Shutterstock. How deep should polymeric sand be?Polymeric Sand needs a minimum depth of 4 cm (1 ½”) to be effective. You can also use cement as an alternative, but it is. If the workpiece turned out to be a little wider, it is necessary to knock out the “wings” with a hammer. With the soft bristle broom,. Planning on a 4" base of compacted crusher run, and a 1" bedding layer of granite sand (pretty typical walkway installation). Ottawa. This product is ideal for filling joints between pavers and natural stones up to 4 inches. Walk on them again trying to move or scuff them. Don’t skip the step of compacting. Joint Sand/Polymeric SandI'm getting mixed advice on the final compaction steps for concrete pavers. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor. Vibratory Plate Compactor 14". • Surface and joints must be dry. Your polymeric sand should have a minimum of 1″ in depth in the joint to be able to create a strong bond. Bend the “wings” of the workpiece and install the bar in the “shoe”. Polymeric sand needs to be installed on a dry surface. Lightly rap with the hammer down the length of the groove until the paver breaks apart. The stones are laid on top of the sand and almost ready to sweep polymeric sand on top. 3. Walking over Moist Soil for Soil Compaction. Easier Paver Patios. . Then install the pavers, followed by plastic edging. Please note that coverage power largely depends on the type of material being laid down, as well as on actual joint width and height. This paper provides a review of the research on use of polymers for soil stabilization in pavement and geotechnical engineering. The paver panels need a thin layer of leveling sand as a base. Afterwards, you can spread the polymeric sand on your installation, making sure to sweep the sand around to fill every joint between the pavers. Joint compounds, on the other hand, can last as long as 20 years if correctly installed. A lift and re-lay will make the project look better. Any sand left on top will stain. These rammers, forward plate compactors, reversible plate compactors, and slab roller compactors speed up soil and paver work for hardscaping projects. For a typical 10 x 12-ft. Now is finally time to add the sand to your patio. Drive spikes at the ends of each length of edging, and about every 18 inches in between. Polymeric sand does not merge with old sand but given its newness, it might work to fill the gaps - it really depends. If you’re not careful, there are many. If possible, try to walk back and forth in the same area multiple times in different directions to ensure the natural compaction process occurs. Polymeric sand 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, more finished look.