Polymeric sand, paver sand, or neither on pavers?

[hal1]

I don't remember what my driveway looked like new, but I was thinking of refreshing the sand in between pavers. I don't know if polymeric is even an option as the joint spaces are maybe 1/8 inch wide and average about 3/8 deep, and the instructions, along with what I read. requires more width and more depth. You guys probably know better than I, but I expect they are butted against each other and I do realize that the usual install only has the perimeter cemented in.

I don't have too much problems with weeds, and maybe one ant hill a month.

So, Polymeric, regular paver sand, or just leave it? And I'm guessing if I reapply I should power wash the joint space first?

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Nice tight fit
I’d use the Polymeric and sweep it in. Don’t see having to power wash.
You could use a small plate tamper to shake it into place and pack it somewhat. Might want to use some scrap plywood if scared of scrapping up the bricks.

 

[glentre]

Gaps of 1/8" are normal with pavers and the fine polymeric sand will fill the cracks nicely. And yes, they are butted together. With cracks only 3/8" deep, a vibratory plate probably isn't needed and I agree that power washing isn't necessary unless you have stains or surface mold you want to remove. Look to buy the sand without any organic matter in it to help reduce the weeds.

Personally, I think your installation looks great with the open cracks and am surprised they have not filled with ambient dirt over the years. Polymeric sand is normally used to keep the pavers in place since it solidifies somewhat after first getting wet. With your gaps only 3/8" deep, you have plenty of existing sand beyond that to keep them from moving. Some paver patterns are more prone to movement than others but yours is a good interlocking style that would be stable even without the sand. If it were me, I'd leave it alone and not worry about refreshing it with new sand unless you prefer the filled look better. Also, if you fill the cracks up to the surface, you will not be able to power wash in the future without blasting the sand out of the cracks.

Glen

 

[Showkey]

If you go with polymeric sand.........go with the good stuff usually $20-$25 per bag.

The cheap stuff leaves white marks, haze or streaks on the bricks. It can be a real mess.

Google...... “polymeric sand stains” .........for images and the issue in general.

 

[Kaizen]

Hal is their concrete under those? Not a permeable driveway?

I have almost the same setup with beveled edge pavers and that pattern. But I’m in New Hampshire. With our frost the poly sand lasted about ten years. I pressure washed it out making sure not to wash the base material. Then reapplied poly. Problem I had is the bevel makes more sand there and eventually comes up. I swept it for a long time and it was tougher then on normal square edge bricks.
If you don’t get weeds not sure I’d do anything.



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[hal1]

Yeah, it's permeable under it. When I said power washing I only meant to get dirt out of the seams first. Oh, and nothing is moving, it was just an idea pure for aesthetics

 

[Kaizen]

Yeah, it's permeable under it. When I said power washing I only meant to get dirt out of the seams first. Oh, and nothing is moving, it was just an idea pure for aesthetics

Sorry I have no idea if washing it will affect the permeable layer. I do know poly sand will stop water negating the drain ability of the permeable layer. Not a lot of that up here.


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