Sweeping the Sand
Installing the polymeric sand starts with sweeping the sand into all paver joints until the joints are full. There should be bits of sand all across the patio to aid in the compaction process later. Alliance makes a quality polymeric sand. Click here to explore their different varieties depending on your specific joint size. One 50 lb bag will cover between 60 and 80 square feet of pavers.
Compacting the Pavers
Using a plate compactor, thoroughly compact all the pavers. What happens is two-fold. First, the pavers are forced down into the c-33 bedding sand. Just a bit of c-33 sand comes up into the paver joint from the bottom. Second, the vibration of the pavers forces the polymeric sand all the way down into the paver joints. The polymeric sand and the c-33 sand become snug next to each other. After compaction, you’ll notice that the paver joints look empty again. They’re not, of course; the polymeric sand just moved toward the bottom. Sweep out more polymeric sand until the paver joints are full again. Repeat the compaction. Are the paver joints full of polymeric sand? “Full” is achieved when the poly sand is about 1/8″ down from the top of the paver. Repeat again if necessary.
Final Steps for Installing Polymeric Sand
Using a blower on low power and blowing as much horizontally as possible, blow excess sand off the patio. Try to get as much sand off the top of the pavers as possible. If the paver joints as full to the top of the paver, blow sand out until 1/8″ below the top.
When the pavers are clean and the excess sand has been removed, it’s time to activate the polymers. Use a water hose with a gentle shower attachment. Work in 50 square foot sections. Gently shower each small paver section for about a minute. Move on to the next section. Continue until pavers have all been watered. This 1 minute of gentle watering provides all the moisture it needs for the polymeric sand to bind.
Polymeric sand just installed and watered.
Finished!
Congratulations! You’ve finished the 7 steps for installing a paver patio! After installing the polymeric sand, your patio is now complete. Please refrain from walking on the patio or placing furniture on top for about 24 hours. The polymeric sand should be hardened by then. Be proud of yourself for your accomplishment!