Polymeric Sand for Pavers - Power Wash, Replace and Seal.

Polymeric Sand for Pavers - Power Wash, Replace and Seal.
As most of you know who follow A&A Masonry, you have seen that A&A is not a company that stands still. Being innovative and constantly researching and adding cutting edge solutions that provide long lasting performance of work and materials is the formula A&A adheres to.
In this case, using polymeric sand to to bond to pavers is a great industry standard solution. Here though, A&A is taking that solution and adding to it an even longer lasting bond that will make the stone paver solution last even longer and beautifying it even more in the process.
Polymeric sand is the most popular and useful filler used with brick pavers. It is a mixture of fine sand, adhesive and is most widely used in paver joints.
Polymeric sand is mixed with water, activating the adhesives and forming a strong bond that tightens upon hardening. It also bonds the pavers in the surrounding, making polymeric sand a sound solution for brick pavers.
The dried and hardened sand keeps all the pavers in place without twisting or skidding away. The bonding lasts for years to come. Proper application of polymeric sand / is important for making it last longer. When the sand starts to loose it’s bonding and integrity even slightly, that is the time to remove existing polymeric sand and replace it with new polymeric sand.
The first thing you need to do is remove ALL of the existing sand down to the bottom of the paver stones. Polymeric sand works best when used at full depth. A pressure washer works well to dislodge the sand. To clean polymeric sand off the pavers, it is recommended to use 1600-2000 PSI for cleaning the surface of the pavers only. However in this instance the crew need to use a much higher PSI to get the polymeric out of the joints in order to replace it.
Here you can see the crew spend the time that it takes to spray on the joints of the stones to dislodge the existing polymeric. As it dislodges they continue to spray until all of the polymeric is out of the joints. As this is a larger driveway, you can see that it took a crew of 3 people to get the polymeric out. Once the polymeric is out of the joints you can see that it accumulates at the bottom of the driveway. The crew are very careful to dispose the old polymeric and make sure that the property is left immaculate from the work being done.
This next step taken by the crew is to put the new polymeric sand down on the paver stones on the driveway. In order to do this the crew needs to spread out the sand on the driveway and then use brooms to brush in the sand into the joints between the pavers. It’s very important to make sure that enough of the polymeric gets into the joints so that a proper bond is secured. The crew take the time to ensure this happens so that the polymeric and pavers are fused together properly for a maximum bond.
A driveway of this size takes time to get the sand in the joints thoroughly. Working from the top of the driveway and gradually going lower and lower toward the street the crew continues to brush the polymeric sand into the joints of the pavers to create a uniform level of sand in the joints.
The crew then go through the tamping process to shake the sand deep into the joints. This is very important to help in the bonding process. Again the crew start at the top of the driveway and slowly work their way down toward the street tamping the sand and pavers while brushing the stones continues. This process takes the time that it takes to make sure each joint is fully filled up with the polymeric sand. With the joints fully filled with sand and the surface of the pavers fully brushed and clean of sand, the next step is ready to occur.
At this point the driveway is now sprayed with a light even flow of water to sink into the polymeric sand and cause it to bond with the stone paver to make a solid surface. The water is sprayed to make a light misting over the stones and sand. You don’t want to spray too hard at this point. The crew start at the bottom of the driveway and work upward. Once the light misting is sprayed once, the crew then do a second spray to finish off the this part of the work.
The first part that the crew address’s is the matte finish for the steps and porch section. Here you can see / the crew spraying the light matte finish on the area.
After this the crew start with the actual driveway sealant. First they start to roll the sealant on the edges of the driveway and making a fine cut where the stones meet retaining walls and the like. Once the edges are cut the crew can now start to roll the sealant onto the body of the driveway safely.
Again the crew start from the top of the driveway and work their way down rolling the sealant onto the driveway. After they have finished rolling they go over the driveway spraying the sealant with a second coat to make it even.

[@joeytortorici405]

Dyna polymer sand is the best sand! Great job guys.

[@Keramagic1]

Great video! We just had our old poly sand replaced 2 weeks ago. The seal wasn’t placed yet and we thought it was safe to give the pavers a wash, before setting down the seal. Unfortunately the sand washed out some of the paver joints and we’re going to have redo them. Will we have to take out all that sand again or will new poly work with what’s already there?

[@ryanreid1688]

Thanks! What kind nozzle?

[@rajeshkumar27rk]

Hi
A question, how much area did you guys covered and how much extra you guys charge for polymeric sand and sealing

[@michaeljuers574]

Nice job but if you put it in 5 or 6 years ago it doesn’t seem to last a decade or more. 🤔

[@CesarMartinez-tp4bx]

What’s sealant brand did you guys use ??

[@rand49er]

After power washing our brick patio to remove weeds and moss between the pavers, I followed that up with a cleaning using a Zep cleaning product and a thorough power washing again. Yesterday, I broomed polymeric sand into all the cracks, used a leaf blower to lightly rid the surface of any remaining surface dust, then applied a nice misting of water over the entire surface. It's been dry overnight with no rain, and I have a great window of time this afternoon. Ques: Can I apply a sealer after only 24 hours of dry time?

[@AamasonryCa]

Yes, you can apply your sealer 24 hours after.

[@domenickmedia7871]

Is it worth trying to color match existing polymeric sand if you don't know which product was used? (5-10% got blown out when we cleaned our pavers with a pressure washer). Have you had any luck doing this, or should we completely replace the sand like you have done here?

[@AamasonryCa]

No, new product won't adhere to the old. You have to remove the old polymeric sand completely by power washing, and make sure the cracks are fully dry before adding new sand and you need to tamp it again and again during the new sand application process so it makes its way down. You then brush off the excess, with a push broom so there’s no polymeric sand sitting on the stone, and then a light sprinkling of water (you can use a watering can or a light sprayer hose pointed upward, sprinkling down on the polymeric sand until saturated) for the best results.

[@domenickmedia7871]

What PSI do you recommend for pressure washer to remove the old polymeric sand?@@AamasonryCa

[@shirleycarter465]

Hi! I replaced my polymeric sand 4 days ago and immediately it looked like it was peeling and it never set up. I used polymeric sand that I had saved from initial job 3yrs ago so I don't know if I added too much water or if the sand was too old. Can you tell your thoughts

[@AamasonryCa]

Hi Shirley,
Your result may be due to not removing enough of the polymeric sand by power washing or over saturated as you noted in your comment. A light sprinkling with a watering can is sufficient.
If you are in the GTA region and require assistance with cleaning out the polymeric sand, this is a service we offer.
Best,
Corrine
A&A Masonry
416-236-8721

[@shirleycarter465]

@@AamasonryCa unfortunately I am not but your response has helped me figure out what happened. Thank you

[@cpringle365]

@@shirleycarter465 that’s good to hear! Good luck, Shirley!😀

[@ryanreid1688]

What PSI pressure washer did you use to remove poly sand from between the pavers? Was it cold or hot water system? Any concerns with damage to top of pavers from the pressure washer? Thanks!

[@AamasonryCa]

The pressure washer is 3600 but the nozel depends on the pavers. cold water.

[@AamasonryCa]

The pressure washer is 3600 but the nozel depends on the pavers. Cold tap water is what we use.

[@UnderPressurePressureWashing]

@@AamasonryCadid you use any stripper? If so what brand?

[@JoshuaSkibinski]

What type of product is best for sealing? I assume the same as you’d use for stamped concrete?

[@AamasonryCa]

There are many products with different qualities. Contractors usually have access to the best products through trade suppliers.

[@CesarMartinez-tp4bx]

Can u please mention a few ? Thanks

[@AamasonryCa]

@@CesarMartinez-tp4bx We get a commercially only available sealer but I believe Home Depot has many sealers to choose from. Not having experience with them I can’t really recommend one over the other.

[@CesarMartinez-tp4bx]

@@AamasonryCa here in Ct some of us have access to commercial companies that sell to homeowners which is why I asked about sealers/brands you would recommend.. I will be avoiding the local box stores by all means ..

[@AamasonryCa]

@@CesarMartinez-tp4bx our supplier is a local manufacturer here in Ontario who creates
products for our environment. Perhaps you can find someone similar in your local area.

[@doomslayerforever2858]

Man that job must have cost 4k atleast way more then $2 sq foot

[@cuarto5748]

if so, you can't powerwashing the bricks anymore. powerwashing will remove plymeric sands