6. Application. Next come the pavers themselves, followed by polymeric sand applied in the joints (empty spaces between the pavers). Weatherproof – Unlike regular jointing sand, which can be washed away by rain or. Adding good drainage behind block or stone walls is crucial for long-lasting, bulge-free walls. Step 5: Apply a layer of sand. The estimated coverage power is: For joints less than ½" wide: up to 120 sq. 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,Check Price on Amazon. To ensure that the dry Paver Set fills the entire joint it is necessary to compact the material before wetting. 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. 5-cu ft Brown Leveling Paver Sand. Anchor the Edging. By adding the right amount of water to the soil, the pores are filled, allowing the soil to settle and compact more easily. It is recommended to use a vibratory plate compactor to help settle the sand. Check the weather, you will need two days of sun and dry weather. STEP 6 INSTALL BROCK PAVERBASE PANELS Starting against a straight edge of the patio, lay the Brock panels, ensuring that the side flanges overlap. Some people place a mat of sorts between the compactor and pavers, presumably to prevent scratching. Paver sand is typically composed of coarse bleached white sand, which is washed and screened to remove impurities. A rubber pad is recommended. Pass the plate compactor over the entire surface to compact the sand. Polymeric sand is a fine sand that is combined with additives that form a binding agent when exposed to water. Install over a drainage base and bed (sand-set). I tried to look. Do not use sand or other material to partially fill the joint. Stone dust traps and retains moisture which causes polymeric sand to fail. Exactly. Screed over the entire base of the patio and fill in any low spots and shave down high spots until the base is even. Activating the sand: Pretty every single manufacturer of polymeric sand in the marketplace has three main ingredients: Quartz silica. Tampers are ideal for leveling dirt and mulch after planting shrubs and small trees, leveling and packing paver base before installing a. Step 6: clean the vibrating plate. EDUse a polymeric sand or polymeric dust (for joints over 1”) (25 mm). 86 to 2. Use a broom to fill gaps. ) Yes, you can lay a patio without a compactor. Then spread a light layer of sand over the paving. 5 cm) Check Price on Amazon. Lay landscape fabric over the gravel; this suppresses weeds and separates the gravel from the sand layer. . For the joints, use a high quality polymeric sand designed to be used with porcelain pavers. It took me a while to understand the importance of following the instructions that are included on your bags of sand. Now, on permeable paver installation, things works quite different. . Don’t use too little water. The binding agents in polymeric sand help lock pavers together and keep them together for a longer stretch of time. 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. Seal the paving surface to preserve its color and luster. Step 6: clean the vibrating plate. 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. Hardscaping Jointing CompoundsThis post may contain affiliate links. Polymeric sand is an effective solution for compacting pavers without the need for a compactor. Can I lay a patio without compactor? Yes, you can lay a patio without a compactor. Once this has been done, the sealer can be applied in 2 thin coats with a soft brush. Not every pressure washing company offers th. 35 to $2 per square foot, depending on the size. If you only have a crust, you don't have a proper bond in the joints. Cleaners – Any cleaner specifically designed for pavers may be used for color restoration or general cleaning. Gator Maxx G2 helps prevent weeds and damage caused by ants. It is a type of sand that is created by mixing fine sand, binders and additives that help lock pavers together in place. Instead use a rubber/PVC mallet. Sweep the sand into the joints. If you fail to compact, you’ll experience sunken or raised pavers. The pavers are placed in the desired pattern and the space between pavers is then filled with a polymeric sand. Put down 3/4" of sand. Minimize the machine’s production as much as possible. 5-inch layer of bedding sand needs to be applied. Incorrect application of polymeric sand ruins the pavers. You may need to cut the PVC pipes to fit curves in your layout. Planning on a 4" base of compacted crusher run, and a 1" bedding layer of granite sand (pretty typical walkway installation). Handles light duty applications of sand and gravel into crevices to lock in pavers, bricks and blocks using a 14" plate. This helps the sand settle into the gaps and ensures a better bond; Once the pavers are compacted, lightly mist the polymeric sand with water. ft per 50 lb bag. Remove the sand base sand that's there now (compact also) 2. 5) 4. This sand is made of polymers, which are small molecules that are bonded together to form a larger molecule. This doesn’t eliminate all the heavy moving, but it’s a practical way to get an affordable patio without ruining your back or the neighbors’ lawns. How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor. Remove excess residue with a leaf blower. If you continue with wet pavers the sand will bond to the tops of the pavers. You’ll want to repeat sweeping and compacting until the joints are filled and consolidated. Damaged pavements and driveways are more than just an eyesore- they can compromise the safety of your landscape. BEST OVERALL: Black Diamond Coatings Dominator Polymeric Sand. Compress the border’s encircling thirty to forty cm to provide an edge. 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. Once all of the pavers are in place, fill in the gaps between them with polymer sand. (1) Should I use polymeric sand or just mason sand for the joints. To activate the polymeric sand, begin by quickly showering the surface with a water hose nozzle. 10. Skill Level: Beginner. Sand the surface. Step 4: Build the base course. The pavers were high quality Cambridge with faux bluestone clefts. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor . Once you've set the pavers in place, add sand to fill in between the pavers. Bend the “wings” of the workpiece and install the bar in the “shoe”. One of the most important steps in a polymeric sand installation is proper compaction of the sand into the joints. But doing a quick Alliance website review makes me wonder why you packed the pavers in so tightly (1/16"), when the installation instructions suggest joints up to an inch wide to enable proper compaction--plenty wide to manually tamp and compact with the end of a 1 x 4. Power wash the pavers at the end prior to installing the polymeric sand. Run the compactor over the pavers in overlapping passes. Bend the “wings” of the workpiece and install the bar in the “shoe”. Walk on them again trying to move or scuff them. Typically our guys only do this for vehicular applications, not pedestrian. It is too rough, and it requires more strength than a. 4. Inspect the pavers to make sure the sand in the crevices is at least 1/8″ below the top of the pavers. (sand-set). If us- ing polymeric sand, you can install it after the sealer application has properly cured for 24 – 48 hours. Now pour the sand. Possible Reasons For Polymeric Sand Not Hardening Properly. To avoid damaging pavers, make sure to utilize a wet joint sand installation method. I used this little multi-tool to scrape out the old stuff and then sucked it up with the shop vac. 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. You should not pour it over a low spot on the base if there is any because this will cause your pavers to shift. First, use the utility knife to open the sandbag. 2. It is used heavily in construction projects, hence its name. 22. It is a type of sand that is created by mixing fine sand, binders and additives that help lock pavers together in place. This may be to save time or to cut costs, sometimes both. 6. 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 this is not practical use a broom handle to tap on. Polymeric sand is a great way to fill the gaps between pavers to prevent weed growth and to help keep the pavers in place. and on the width of joints. Improper Compaction. Polymeric sand is a specialized construction material typically used for landscaping projects like sealing pavers and driveways. Don’t ever install porcelain pavers without the required 4mm spacing between them. Plastic 4mm spacers should. Pro Tip: Installing cement sand uses the same method as installing polymeric sand. Model # 497410. • Temperature must be above 32°F (0°C) for 48 hours following installation. Obviously it'd be much quicker to do the latter. You need to lightly compact the pavers during the sand application so the polymeric sand settles all the way through. See moreThe vibration of a compactor is vital to settling sand or polymeric sand into the joints between pavers. Sealing. e. When installing polymeric sand, it needs to be completely dry before it can be exposed to rain. New jobs will. So as. 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. 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. This type of sand often comes into play at the end of a landscape paving. 9. This is a DIY patio paver restoration pr. Repeat until the entire area is done. BEST BANG. 1. Especially in a climate with winters like ours in Pennsylvania. Concrete pavers, slabs and natural stone should have ¾” modified stone base and concrete sand setting bed that conforms to ASTM-C33. If you put a thin layer over regular sand, it will peel off. In some areas, the #9 stone was installed in the gaps to serve as drains to the #57 drainage stone below. 7. Lay Base Material. 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. Pass over the paving surface twice using your plate compactor. Vibrate the GATOR MAXX G2 into the paver joints using a vibratory plate compactor. Compact the pavers using a plate compactor and a protective pad or a paver roller compactor. Step 1: protective clothing. Place the flagstones on top of the sand in the desired pattern. Polymeric sand is repeatedly utilised in construction or landscaping projects to fill the splices between loose-set pavers on footpaths and terraces. (Keep in mind, narrow joints require more care to completely fill. Wait 24 hours after rain. Draw the chisel across the paver in the same way you might cut cardboard with a utility knife. First, the properties impacting the effectiveness of widely used polymer classes, including geopolymers, biopolymers, and synthetic organic polymers are discussed. How can I use polymeric sand without a compactor? How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor . 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. 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. 5. Run the compactor over the patio area to compact the sand onto the base. The application of polymeric sand marks the final stage of any paving project. 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". Sealing is not required. STEP 2. Spread it Correctly. However, you should make sure that the foundation is correctly laid and level, then use sand and gravel or grout to. makes the pavers move less under your feet. With the wheelbarrow and shovel, transfer the base material to the patio area. We just spent 2 weeks laying pavers ourselves and used sand (non polymeric) to set them. 1. Do not use sand or other material to partially fill the joint. You’ll want to repeat sweeping and compacting until the joints are filled and consolidated. 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. 9. For joints from 1/4" to 4" wide. Do not hammer the stones to straighten the face, it is better to space them out. 3 REPEAT X2* 4 5 Remove excess sand from surface with a fine-bristle broom. When used correctly, paver sand will help to extend the lifespan of your pavers and prevent cracking or sinking. Stone dust will only get hard "under" the pavers and actually hold water, which is another issue. For Concrete Pavers: Run vibratory compactor over Rthe pavement to allow the vibrations to shift sand particles into the joints and. 79. Sweep the paving surface to remove any obstruction to the compacting machine. This helps set the sand and makes it easier to work with. How can I use polymeric sand without a compactor? How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor . Builder’s sand is the most common replacement for polymeric sand, and it is easy to access and affordable. You accomplish this kind of precision by properly. The sand will help hold the pavers in place. Polymeric sand is a semi-permeable sand that contains additives and binding agents to lock paver joints into place. 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. Install over a drainage base and bed (sand-set). (1. I'm hoping a shop vac can remove the dry polymeric sand. Brush the polymeric sand into the gaps between the pavers, tamp it down with the compactor, and then lightly water to activate the polymer. 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. When the joints are filled, sweep off any excess sand from the surface. First, the polymeric sand must be firmly activated into the joints between the stones. Place the drill bit in the screw holes and drill the wood with a slight slope. All-purpose sand is the go-to product for sealing paver joints. Techniseal Polymeric Sand for Paver Joints Installation Procedure Yield: 10 x 10 surface. For existing jobs, you’ll want to use 3,500 lbs. A manual compaction will never replace the use of a plate compactor 3. Installing polymeric sand the right way ensures that it lasts for a decade. Cement sand solidifies rapidly, making. 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. of polymeric sand you will end up with a mess. Bad Weather Conditions. . If this is not practical use a broom handle to tap on. We recommend that you do that in small sections, and always be careful not to step on your previous work. If the pavers are damp the polymer will leave a stain on the pavers. 6. Wait 24 hours after rain. Not every pressure washing company offers th. Don’t skip the step of compacting. Lightly rap with the hammer down the length of the groove until the paver breaks apart. Pavers must be completely dry before installing polymeric sand. The paver panels need a thin layer of leveling sand as a base. And although it is not completely waterproof, it can hold its structure by firming up when completely dry. How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor. A paver installation should be performed to ICPI specifications, i. It has exceptional joint stabilizing properties, making it suitable for high-traffic areas such as patios, pool decks, pavements, parking lots, and driveways. Step 1: protective clothing. BEST BANG. Check Price. 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. One of the most critical steps in a polymeric sand installation is properly compacting the sand into the joints. You should be able to apply your sealer over the sanded joints, though it may not prevent this issue from happening again. Share. Plate compactors work best on granular soils such as gravel, sand or light asphalt. Polymeric sand is used to fill in the joints in between brick pavers. For red pavers, the best choice of polymeric sand color would typically be a brown or tan shade. which may result in and low volumes of the soil and HPB and can be put in place without compaction, but may settle slightly. to remove all the sand from the paver or slab surface prior to using the plate or roller compacter. Over time, the sand will also become brittle and start flaking off. distribute polymeric sand evenly across surface. How can I use polymeric sand without a compactor? Spread the polymeric sand over the entire surface until a. 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. The joints should be filled up to 1/8 inch (3mm) below the paver’s edge or chamfer. 5. A polymeric sand installation requires the use of a controlled and methodical watering technique. Even the slightest mistake can throw your efforts off because polymeric sand repels water once it hardens, but is also re- activated with water. I’ve read the use of a plate compactor when putting in the polymeric sand into the paver joints is just to get vibration to help it settle. So if you are doing research. Cutting corners and not following the manufacturer’s instructions tops the list. Polymeric sand was installed in most of the pavers. 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. The pavers I'm using have a normal. 2C. Yes, polymeric sand can be activated with sealer. Put down restraint edging (some people move this step to 6. Gibson, Shutterstock. Afterwards, you can spread the polymeric sand on your installation, making sure to sweep the sand around to fill every joint between the pavers. If possible, try to walk back and forth in the same area multiple times in different directions to ensure the natural compaction process occurs. Determine the thickness of the sand layer (usually around 1 inch) and calculate the volume in cubic feet. 100 Diy Homemade Vibratory Plate CompactorI build this project Sand Compactor for home use, due to our renovation of our new home. Sweep the jointing material over the surface following the manufacturer’s guidelines and filling the joints of the pavers. The second layer should be applied in the same manner as the first layer. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: Disperse product evenly over a small area. With this, you can make sure that your polymeric sand installation will go as smoothly as possible. Curves will require more spikes. Use a stiff bristle brush to push the sand into the joints. This method of installing the polymeric sand can be applied to almost any paver a. This sand is also known as joint sand or leveling sand. Alliance Gator Polymeric"Super" Sand, 50 lb. Bag, (Slate Gray) Advanced Haze Free Technology Can be used for joints up to a maximum of 1 inch (2. 2. Polymeric sand is used to fill the joints between paving stones, enhancing both aesthetics and durability of the overall structure. 0. 1How to portable sand without a compactor . Check the underground in the pit carefully. Take a look at how easy NOCO from Techniseal is to install and activate. 100 Diy Homemade Vibratory Plate CompactorI build this project Sand Compactor for home use, due to our renovation of our new home. The vibration of a compactor is vital to settling sand or polymeric sand into the joints between pavers. Spread more product to fill joints again. How deep should polymeric sand be?Polymeric Sand needs a minimum depth of 4 cm (1 ½”) to be effective. Drive spikes at the ends of each length of edging, and about every 18 inches in between. This step is critical to obtain solid, durable joints. The difference being the function of them. 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. It is best toPolymeric sand usually lasts three to five years but can last up to 10 years if appropriately applied. 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. Make sure there isn’t any dampness prior to diving right in and dumping those. I am installing concrete pavers on a 6" base of compacted gravel with 1-2inch sand on top. This is critical. 3. Ideal for flagstones and natural stones. This typically means that the sand needs to be dry for a minimum of 24 hours. Consider this my official mulch glue. Poly sand needs to go the full depth of the paver, or close to it. The pavers are then compacted again until the joints are full. Two types of paver. Determine the thickness of the sand layer (usually around 1 inch) and calculate the volume in cubic feet. 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. Don’t ever compact porcelain pavers with a plate compactor. Step 2: prepare the substrate. Keep the. Add the Sand Layer. Watch on. Updated on March 1, 2023. 14. 22. 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. Po. A roller compactor is best for slab installation. How to Compact Pavers without a Plate Compactor . Don’t use the wrong base material. 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. Polymeric sand is used to fill in the joints in between brick pavers. Gator Maxx G2 helps prevent weeds and damage caused by ants. First, the polymeric sand must be firmly activated into the joints between the stones. . Sweep the polymeric sand into the crack between the pavers. Water tank allows for easy operator use on hot and cold. section at a time. The advantage of using this type of sand is that it can be used without a compactor. After sweeping and consolidation, ensure that the sand is approximately ⅛” below the level of the chamfer of the paver or the surface of the paver if there is no chamfer. Wait 24 hours after rain. 5-cu ft Brown Leveling Paver Sand. makes it more difficult for weeds to grow. If compactor is not rubber-plated, cover pavers with a woven fabric while compacting to help protect paver surface from damage. I hand tamped the paver base and don’t have easy access to a plate compactor. Once you are positive that there is. makes the pavers move less under your feet. Each bag will cover approximately 85 square feet, although the coverage can vary depending on the size of the paver or joints. After every two or three loads, spread out the material with the shovel and with a rake. Another mistake people make is they don’t use a plate compactor. Sweep in the sand. Polymeric sand cannot be installed in pavers placed on stone dust. Check the weather, you will need two days of sun and dry weather. 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. The video I'm watching suggested to use polymeric sand between the bricks. Once the joints have been filled, they will not be affected by erosion, making them impermeable. 2 Run plate compactor over surface to com-pact the sand. Good to Know. The sand - "concrete sand" is where the interlock takes place - it comes up and fills the joints causing them to lock up. Edging is important, because it keeps the pavers from shifting. Don’t overfill the paver joints. Clear the Residue. Installation Instructions: • Distribute PolySweep evenly across surface. This product is ideal for filling joints between pavers and natural stones up to 4 inches. Remove all sand residue with the leaf blower. 25” min depth when using X-Treme). I don’t expect you to measure the gap but just set them beside one another. In order to properly set polymeric sand, you will need to wet it down two times. Polymeric joint sand will essentially harden like concrete between your paving stones so it is permanent. Follow. Step 3: create a layer of frost protection. Scroll down to the heading that says “How to install stone dust in between your flagstones”. Leiden Cambridge Blend. 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”). 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. Following the layout, start digging out the soil. STEP 4: SATURATE THE LOCKING SAND WITH WATER. Step 1: protective clothing. Ideally this is done using a vibratory plate compactor . . 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. Planning on a 4" base of compacted crusher run, and a 1" bedding layer of granite sand (pretty typical walkway installation). Manage expectations. To prevent this, simply run a plate compactor with a protective pad over the surface of the pavement after sweeping the polymeric sand into the joints and sweeping any excess off. compactor or cover the paver surface with SRW SS5 or EC8 fabric to help protect paver surface from damage and minimize dust. of centrifugal force. 5-cu ft Tan/Brown Leveling Paver Sand. Using a broom handle or some other blunt object, tap on the pavers. Easier Paver Patios. ProGrass 50-lb Green (8-Bag) Artificial Grass Infill. 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. 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. Perfect for joints from ¼ to 4 inches wide, NOCO is the ideal jointing solution for pool decks, patios, and walkways. The sand provides height and support for the pavers while promoting drainage. For the best result, it is much better to wait at least 1-3 days for polymeric sand to set before allowing foot traffic or any movements on its surface. .