I read online that before using polymeric sand you have to remove the existing sand? Is that so? I also read that if you don’t use it correctly you run the risk of discoloring the pavers? If that’s the case it perhaps I need to use regular fine sand since I’ve never done this application before. With regular sand do you need to remove the existing joint sand? Thanks in advance for your advice
Both of those bits of advice about poly sand are correct. No, you don’t need to remove all of the existing sand if you are using regular sweeping sand.
Although this video gives a good general idea of how polymer sand works, more detail is needed on how to apply it. One thing that needs to be clarified in your video is how you remove the sand from the surface of the pavers. Are you hosing it off, blowing it off, or what? Also, the wetting technique needs to be addressed more clearly.
We don’t specifically address those items because each sand manufacturer may have slightly different requirements. We recommend following the instructions on the bag.
How permeable is the narrow-joint polymer sand option? I live in the CO mountains and get LOTS of snow (over 300")... when it melts I don't want it pooling on top of the pavers, especially during freeze/thaw cycles which invite ice build up. Also, do all of the polymer sand options require that the pavers be "leaf blower-ed" prior to watering down the polymer sand?
Polymeric sand isn’t considered permeable at all and yes, we always recommend blowing off all the polymeric sand dust before activating the sand to prevent hazing.
It looks like a previous owner laid the brick patio stones with a wide gap directly on top of the dirt ground. I’ve power washed out the dirt between the bricks. Can I use polymeric sand on top of dirt or would it need a proper sand base first?
