How To Use Polymeric Sand: 10 Easy Steps Explained By Expert

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Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Heenan

Whether you want to give your paver a new look for the first time or you want to reapply your previously polymerized paver, we’re here for you!

In this article, we’ll show you how to use polymeric sand to achieve your desired look. If you’re interested, read along!

How to Use Polymeric Sand in 10 Easy Steps

The steps below will provide a clearer understanding of this sand-applying technique.

Step 1: Check the Weather

Before or briefly after completing your sand application, a heavy downpour could potentially cause you to restart anew.

Applying them when the surface is soaked will induce the polymers unnecessarily, making removal rather challenging. And if it starts raining before the sand has sufficient time to settle, it will wash away from its position, causing you to reinstall a significant part of it.

For the sand to settle ultimately, it usually requires two days of sun and dry conditions. So, ensure that you have two days of sunshine ahead of you.

Step 2: Get the Right Polymeric Sand

To minimize their costs, several sand producers use cheap-quality polymeric materials in the sand. Even though this will save you cash in the short run, you will eventually have to reapply sand sooner than you’d like.

So, decide on your polymeric sand based on its quality, not its price.

Step 3: Go through the Instructions

Sandbags from all sorts of manufacturers include user manuals. Check yours to understand the process correctly.

Step 4: Get the Required Tools

After you understand the process better, you can get the tools necessary for applying the sand.

Besides the bag of polymeric sand, here are the tools you will require:

A knife
A broom
A 35,000 or 45,000 lbs plate compactor (the one with the smaller centrifugal force for an already existing paver and the other one for a newly added paver)
A leaf blower
A water sprayer &
A hose

Step 5: Clean the Surface

Before pouring the sand, you must dry out the area and clear any dirt or debris. Otherwise, the sand will not settle on the surface properly.

Step 6: Pour the Sand

It is finally time to apply the sand to the paver. Start by opening the bag of sand with a knife you accumulated earlier.

Then, pour the sand into your desired area. But remember to pour slowly and in little amounts. But don’t forget to pour slowly and in small quantities. It will be very challenging to separate the residual sand if you pour too much.

That said, if needed later, you can still add more sand.

In this step, you apply the sand to the paver.

Step 7: Cover the Holes with a Broom and a Plate Compactor

Now that you are done pouring the sand, you have to cover the holes in the paver joints adequately to conclude the procedure effectively.

For this part, you will use the broom and push the sand effectively into place. This part is easy. You must move the broom back and forth to cover the holes.

This step is mainly about filling the wholes to the core. You can add more if you think you need more sand to do that.

If you want the sand application to be perfect, you will have to fill in the tiny air bubbles with a plate compactor.

If this is your first polymeric sand application, use one with 40,000 to 50,000 lbs of centrifugal force. And if this is the reapplication of sand, you can now use 35,000 lbs.

Although most people avoid this part of the step, it is highly recommended to cover the cracks evenly. And if you want an even better finish, you can do this part twice.

Step 8: Remove Excess Polymeric Sand Residue with a Leaf Blower

Take the leaf blower and blow away the residual sand from the surface. You must blow at a 30-degree angle in a relatively low setting to ensure the rest of the area is not affected.

Step 9: Activate the Sand with a Water Sprayer

You can now activate the surface with the sand as you have prepared it. This is the easiest part, where you take the water sprayer from earlier and use it to spray on the surface by applying light pressure. Just ensure you apply the right amount of water at the right pace; follow the user manual.

Step 10: Give it Time to Dry.

Don’t walk or drive over it for about two days. Let it dry. Within a couple of days, you will be all done.

What Is Polymeric Sand?

Polymeric sand is a special kind covering the gaps between the pavers, whether made of stone or tile. It consists of tiny sand particles and a combination of different polymer particles added in factories.

Other names, like paver sand and jointing sand also recognize it.

This sand works like an incredibly powerful reinforcing material when placed in water, which tightly joins concrete.

What Is Polymeric Sand Used for?

Polymeric sand, a special kind of sand, combines fine sand particles and a few other specific additive particles. Homemakers and professionals use it to fill the gaps within pavers.

After applying this on paver tiles or stone surfaces, you will get a smooth, plain path.

With this, you can remove any substantial threats that may impact pavers’ overall appearance and longevity from different situations like pest infestation and weed overgrowth.

Ultimate Guide to Using Polymeric Sand

Even if this is the first time you’re attempting something like this, this article will guide you through the process. It will help you understand the basics of how to use polymeric sand.

With the ten easy steps explained in detail, this article will help you reach your desired look.