Poly Sand ISSUES! We Tested - HERE'S THE RESULTS

If you are a hardscape contractor, it's likely you've had issues with poly sand over the last year or so. We certainly have. So we tested 5 brands of polymeric joint sand, and here is what we found.
The test plots actually performed a bit better than what we've seen happen in the real world with the Alliance G2 product. In the real world, we've had thousands of sq ft from dozens of our projects that had issues with not curing or setting up, eroding, crusting on top and not curing the entire joint, staying gummy, bubbling on the surface, etc. It was awful. The frustrating part is we've had to replace and re-do all these jobs on our own dime. Support from G2 has been weak and not helpful in finding a solution so far. Mostly they suggest we are doing an incorrect installation. 🤷‍♂️ Yeah... we've only been doing this for 30 years, I guess we could be doing it wrong eh?
We have done our due diligence, going through all the motions their support has asked us to. But no better outcomes.
I am convinced it is their new formula. They keep telling us our problems are odd and strange, as they haven't heard anything from other contractors. But our suppliers and their connections have been telling us otherwise, MOST of their contractors are coming back with problems and looking for answers. Based on the social media engagement we've had with other contractors, they've also been having issues.
Why did we do this video? Well, we hope it
- helps others looking for answers
-gets Alliance's attention and motivate them to take responsibility so we can solve this issue (not on our own dime)
-hopefully convince them to take a good hard look at their formula and re-evaluate.
Back in 2017, 2018, their sand was great! It was remarkable how well it set up and how little haze it had. Now... well... in the video you can see.
***June 1, 2021 UPDATE***
Alliance has helped us remove the failed poly G2 joint sand on a large project we did, and they provided us with their new Nitro sand as a replacement. Their new Nitro sand is their competitor to EZ joint. We have installed it a few times by now, and up to now, we haven't seen any negative aspects to it. Time will tell whether EZ joint or Alliances' Nitro sand is better.
Alliance also gave us free Nitro product in form of reimbursement for our costs in this fiasco. Which we genuinely appreciate. It's just never cool when you have to resort to these measures to get their attention, I guess you could say this video has served it's purpose. One bright spot, the new Alliance rep that has been assigned to us here in western PA has been excellent, and we look forward to working with him in the future. He was much more ready and willing to help then our past Alliance contacts.
***END OF UPDATE***
In the meantime, we've found Easy Joint.
www.azpects.co...
You can talk to our rep Dale Weaver to find a place to buy it: 717-629-5471
It truly is an AMAZING sand, and to be honest, is a much more durable product then polysand ever will be. Regardless though, we'd still enjoy the option of having a solid poly sand available.
#polysandissues #polysandproblems #polysand #paversand #jointsand #polymericsand
******
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[@steveschaefer68]

Great info, thanks for all your hard work on this video. ONE Huge request. I watched it 4 times, I'm really busy working and PLZ instead of repeating what's wrong & right with products, SAY THE FULL NAME OF THE PRODUCT YOU FINALLY CONCLUDED IS THE BEST PRODUCT TO USE. I'm headed to buy a product Hoping it's the actual "Easy Joint" you said is so great! Since I'm not in the biz & doing may own home I still have NO idea of exactly what product you said is best! Just BE More Clear. Thanks for trying.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I apologize! Great feedback. It is called EASY Joint. Aztec makes it. You can get it from Tussey Mtn Mulch www.tusseymountainmulch.com/ or call them t 814-696-1920 for more info/details on it

[@Tusseylandscaping]

saudershardscape.com/product/easy-joint/

[@Nick-s5w]

Excellent video excellent hard work editing and uploading! I want to commend you on your transparency and your work ethic!

[@LizAlexy]

@@Tusseylandscapingare you still thinking the Aztec easy joint is the best product? I have some pool pavers that sank by my filters,, since I bought the place used I have no idea what they placed under the pavers which sunk down…I also was not clear about the color of these sands and if they sell various colors to match the rest of my patio at the pool (it is simple and grey, that’s as much as I know ;) thank you for the video I reached out to the company to see if I get a response as well! Thank you

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Almost 18 minutes of my life, learning about sand and the different properties of different brands, that I'll never need to know. That's how good you are. I watched the whole thing... twice. Nothing blew up. No gun fights. No pond builds. How do you do it? It's mystifying. 🤣 Good work on keeping it interesting. For the record, I didn't think it was "all over the place". It was just thorough and informative. It's hard to cut corners AND be thorough.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Ha ha ha. Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it 😉

[@jasonbeeman6754]

U hi Iiixoolboooiiiooo

[@StanKushman]

I had the SAME issue! I thought it was me or that I did something wrong. I really appreciate your testing and sharing your results.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks for watching and good luck!

[@hhtlandscaping8838]

We use g2 every week bag says 30 square feet and 30 sec watering. We don’t have any issue so far and our rep is pretty sharp. We did try the easy joint for the first time lasts week and works very well! You should try some edgecrete instead of the normal edge restraint definitely a game changer for us 👍🏻

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Shoot me a link to the edge crete 👍 Pleasantly surprised to hear that. Hopefully we can get the same experience soon

[@donaldso718]

Hey do you know of edgecrete can be used where my pavers meet the sidewalk? The end of my paver driveway is slightly raised above the sidewalk level with about .5" gap that was filled with cement/concrete. It's cracked within 2-3 months of driving in and out. Would edgecrete work and resist cracking? I have pictures if needed. Thank you so much.

[@geertslandwaterscapes7930]

Thanks Weston for putting this video out! We don't do much Hardscapes but had my 1st 'Top Peeeling' issue with G2 sand last month on a slightly sloped driveway. Been using G2 sand for close to 10 years with satisfactory results. I agree totally with the wetting problem at the top and the rest staying dry. Had already a few of my Ottawa, 🇨🇦 Hardscaper friends change to EZJoint sand with great results. And I'm about to start using it too! I agree with you about the new shorter watering sessions for G2 can't simply go down all the way.😉

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Absolutely! Thanks for commenting.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

And yeah, feel your pain. We're still struggling with it

[@jbbolts]

thank you for taking the time to do this much appreciated

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Most welcome! We have another one coming out on sands soon

[@jasonnolt7528]

Preach it! Although you didn't test the best poly sand - Evolution brand!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Hey thanks for commenting 😎 tell me more about evolution. Why is it the best?

[@Reza-S1340]

When testing, did you follow the way the the manufacturers asked to do that. IG2 clearly ask for setting the hose on “shower” not moist and asked to pour water till the joints start being over filled. I am not a precessional. I have used “G2 super sand” carefully following the instructions and am very happy with it.

[@dmassarone1955]

I've used the Alliance Super sand, both fine and with the aggregate. The very first time I used it (3 times now) I may not have gone as fast with the showering step. So yes, the membrane started to cure and the surface became "spongy". I called, left a message and the company out of Laval Canada immediately called me back. He told me just take a nail and puncture all the "questionable" areas and repeat the showering process. This actually worked out well and the following year I "touched up" a few spots (as the patio was not installed properly but is very sufficient) so the next bag I purchased from the distributor came in "wet" so I figured I would try and get some product use out of the non wet spots in the bag. Realizing it won't work due to moisture in the bag I used what I could and it did hold up pretty good. Not great, but this is what I was expecting. That was the first project which was done with flag stone and blue stone of different sizes and colors laid out in a very random layout and spacing. The base(s) were individually set for each stone as well as the sand to level and keep from rocking and tamped. Quick and dirty job looked pretty good and lasted as I had expected. This next "fix" I power washed the patio and removed most of the poly and will replace it with the "Easy Joint". The second job I used 12x24 blue stone with proper 8 inch base and 1 inch sand, blah blah and used the Alliance Super sand without the grit for spaces up to an inch. We'll have to see how this holds up and compared to the Easy Joint. Easy Joint's claim looks great however I'm just a "little" concerned on the smaller joints. No worries here, but just the thought. Can't wait to use it.

[@e79422]

Mine never set up even in extreme heat and no rain. Basically the same problem you folks were having. Great video! I am changing the product I use. Thanks!

[@tedtolentino4955]

Thanks for this video. It helped to see the comparison of the different products. Question: would the Alliance product cure better if the sand were laid down in thin or thinner layers, wetted, allowed to set for 3 days or so, then go back over with another layer of polymeric sand, repeating this process until the joint is fully filled? This lack of curing the deeper layers of the joint was also the problem with the initial installation of our flagstone patio. Just 3 years later we are now having to remove and re-install our flagstones because our polymeric sand joints have failed.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I can see your logic, but I don't think it'd help. The manufacturer certainly doesn't recommend that

[@chartmaster5440]

hey thanks for the video i got a huge patio done last year and the sand has gotten dirty and now i want to refill some joints and maybe re do all of it so the joints are clean im going to use ez thanks for the video

[@Tusseylandscaping]

You bet!

[@Ffuentes1975]

Great video. I have a blue stone patio and the last two years I have to go back and fix the G2. Wasted too much money with G2. Going to try easy sweep to replaced g2

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Good call 💪

[@tyharvey3413]

We’ve been having the same Issues with G2 here in Ontario this year. Never any problems until this season, it only solidifies the top 1/4” no matter the amount of water or drying temp

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Exactly

[@W333dm4n]

g2 is trash I need the stuff they use at gas stations.

[@Rocketyt]

You are absolutely correct sir!! This stuff gets Rock Hard in minutes. I've been including this in my diet for about 2 weeks now and haven't had the need for one of those little blue pills since!! Thanks Bro!!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

🫣🤔🤔🤔🤣

[@WeThePeople-gs7le]

I cant tell if you did it correctly or not but G2 is suppose to be sprayed down then wait 5 mins and then soak it good, its designed to flex because of freeze and thaw. If the sand is soft after the top layer you didnt apply the water correctly.

[@octavianhd]

I've seen these issue on other sites with the G2 a few years ago. I have just used it myself at a new site now. Will come back to check

[@mcampbell4914]

Good information. In the past I have just bought the cheapest poly sand available at one of the big box stores up here in Canada. However after finding that the products I used did not last long, I started to question if there were better products out there. Your video clearly answered that question. My next problem is whether the recommended poly sands are available up here. Non-the-less, good video. I will be referring back to the techniques used by your crew.

[@hisbeloved9154]

FYI mate, nonetheless is one word.

[@lh98]

Box store ez sand product? How has it held up?

[@lh98]

@mcampbell4914 is it the ez sand box store product? How has it held up. I said this twice because you weren’t tagged.

[@kathleenwright6349]

This was excellent. I'm in Northern NJ so we sort of share the same climate. I have a 3 year old brick patio and we need to redo the sand and I wanted to check out some video's using the G2. I was really interested in this and wondering if I should switch products. The joints in my patio are pretty tight though. Thank you for this.

[@JacanaProductions]

So I was about to use some of this polymeric sand from Home Depot and I came across your video the thing is I spent $2500 on the raw material another thousand dollars on the base and probably $10,000 of professional time and I’m gonna throw down some cheap crap between the joints! I’ll definitely look at the easy joint stuff and will be taking my Home Depot stuff back.

[@Greenmachine780]

Easy joint is good, but I can’t see it lasting more than 5 years as I’ve used it on several occasions and it has definitely deteriorated in some cases. Also after a year it will hold moss unless it’s regularly cleaned. That’s half the battle with patios, they need to be maintained otherwise no matter what you do they will deteriorate.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Really? What/how have you seen it detoriate? Interested in hearing more

[@greatnorthhardscape4118]

The only way EZ Joint can break apart is if there's "chatter" in the pavement system. It's so hard it does not flex so the pavers NEED to be seated in C33 bedding sand. If you've used #9 (or HPB in Canada) for you bedding layer and then your drive on EZ Joint you can expect the product to break apart. Check out PaveTool Innovators KZbin channel on Phil's review of EZ Joint after a 9 year install. Still rock hard in a commercial installation with regular powerwashing. It works as advertised...BUT READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE DO'S AND DONT'S BEFORE YOU INSTALL. HAPPY SANDING!!

[@krehbein]

I've done a few paver projects around my house over the years. The concrete pavers that I grouted with a 1" joint about 8 years ago have held up well. Every spring I pressure wash and no problem. The new pavers I put down last year where I used poly sand are a pain. The said comes loose with too much water pressure. So hesitant to pressure wash the patio. If I can avoid it, no more poly sand for me. Seems like project in europe tend to use grout between pavers more than here in the US, I can see why.

[@tedtolentino4955]

Grout sounds like a good alternative to polysand, but I wonder, since I have no experience using grout, if your joints have not cracked or split. Unlike the joints in a home, say the bathroom tile, where the joints are not exposed to sun, cold and heavy foot traffic, I would expect grout to crack in an outdoor installation as in patio pavers and the like. And gout tends to build up mold and stains after a time, too.

[@niallmartin9063]

Excellent clear video, no BS just problem solving. ☘️🇮🇪

[@petersvan7880]

Terrific video, very useful. Thank you!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks Peter!

[@cocotat8071]

Thank you for your information. I am currently looking to re do my paver. May be I will give it a try on Easy Joint.

[@patpolksimpson8605]

I have large flat stones, randomly cut. The space between the stones is 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Half of the sand is gone between the joints (leaf blowers) so we have a lot of space to fill. I like moss, weeds not so much. This is the walkway into our house so it is becoming a trip hazard. Thanks in advance....The presentation is profesional, I'm very impressed! The best DYI video ever!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thank you! Good luck

[@patpolksimpson8605]

@@Tusseylandscaping is the space between the stones too large a gap to use this product?

[@berinmind]

@@patpolksimpson8605 have a Mason to grout it with mortar.

[@2222dw]

Great video - I am in the process of resending my driveway border bricks and decided to do some research.

[@adamfonzarelli8318]

G2 Sand is terrible. I've been reapplying mine for years always the same cracking and peeling of the top coat. Good video

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Yep

[@Galaxylynx12]

Great video! Thank you! We have hired pros to install our stone patio in sept 2020. The material is Cambridge (partially fade out already!) The guys put G2 poli sand. Most of the joints are holding well but some spots exactly like you tested, plus the joints are turned mold and green - not cool at all. I will have to replace them with Easy Joint O don't care about the price.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Good call. Sorry for the trouble. Not fun

[@Galaxylynx12]

@@Tusseylandscaping thanks for thr response. Question about the Easy Joint: do you need to have a water brum to apply it, or also you Can you do it by spilling the easu joint into the gap then you can apply the water inside the gap? I am.plannig to replace my old joints little by little in Spring

[@ahassan3557]

Wtf, how does this not have more views?!?!? KZbin algorithm did you dirty bro.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Ha ha they don't even know what they're missing out!

[@danawd]

That’s a lot of work you’ve done for us!! Thanks for the hints. I was thinking exactly before seeing the video, is there a sand that you can mix with water to apply it😂 A lot more infos that i thought in this 👌

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks for watching! Hope it helps!

[@lesio333]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. I have tight joints and have been using Alliance G2. Would Easy Joint work for small joints (⅛ and up)?

[@rudycramer225]

Good video. Very thorough. Well done.

[@missreddog]

This was so helpful. I was nervous to DIY polymer sand due to it not hardening and hazing up my pavers. I will go with Easy Joint like you suggested. Can you do a video on sealers for pavers?

[@dawns.9389]

This was a really really good video on safety procedures, good technique and everything that goes along with it. Gave it a special tag to remember to watch it again for reference! Many thanks!

[@brianmoeller3539]

Oh I wish I had seen this before I installed SW. It sucks! 2 weeks after install (no rain and lots of heat), we finally got a rain storm. What was once solid turned into mush. Long strips of the top cured layer came off with a leaf blower and the product underneath was just loose sand. I will not use that product again.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

😖😢 sorry buddy. I feel your pain

[@chrissimonelli2484]

I have a question for you professionals. I live in Texas. If I have 4” of type II gravel base with 1” of DG on top of that finished off with 800 Sq Ft of 1 1/2” flagstone. Would Easy Joint Pro be a good solution to finish this project?

[@GreenPointTurfAndPaver]

Nice vid. The trial, however, uses permeable pavers for the polymeric sand test. I get it - extreme joints enables easier testing. But Belgard, Calstone, Basalite pavers (mostly) are tight joint pavers. What is the minimum paver gap that EasyJoint works with? Or for EasyJoint, must it be used w/ tumbled pavers or other larger gap pavers only?

[@karenarrieta3044]

I would like to know this information as well?

[@shawnbedard7651]

Thanks for an informative video. It's great! How has Easy Joint held up a few years later? What about the Nitro product? I notice that Alliance gives a 5 year warranty on Nitro compared to the 15 year on the G2 Max, or the 20 year on the Techniseal HP NextGel. I could not find any warranty for Easy Joint. So, I'm curios to know what your experience has been with weeds, ant holes, moss on the 3 products over the years. Given Easy Joint is permiable... I'm wondering if the spring freeze/thaw cycle does a number on it as moisture inside freezes and expand.

[@oil_can]

Great video! Very annoying that the polymeric sand does not properly cure all the way down through the joint. One solution might be to pour the dry sand on the pavers, sweep it into the joints, compact it so the sand works its way down to the bottom of the joints, then instead of adding more sand to top off the void, wet down the sand already installed and allow it to cure for a few days, then return and repeat the process with a second application of sand.

[@braveryandcompany473]

Is the easy joint product effective in cold weather where expansion and contraction is an issue.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

We get 4 months is freezing weather out of the year and works fine here

[@MasterThief117]

I wonder if the poor outcome from the polysand are due to water PH and potential mineral contaminants used to cure the sand. Locally sourced water is different everywhere and may explain the weirdness. Heck, water in the same municipality can vary drastically throughout the year. Perhaps the pavers themselves also play a role as well; Maybe they're made different or have some sort of factory coating on them which inhibits the ability for the polysand to do its thing...

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I don't believe so. It comes down to the formula and mixture in the different sands. G2 admitted to having quality control issues in theirs.

[@seanmckinleylandscaping6358]

You should try Gftk vdw 850+ it’s a two part resin product it’s been used in Europe for years and has great reputation. The problem with all the sands you showed including the easyjoint is once you come to power wash your patio you blow all of it out and need to re joint the patio witch is what homeowners don’t want to be doing the gftk is water permeable but you won’t power wash it out because of the hardener in it. Again like you say this only works with joints 5mm and bigger. It’s not cheap but it’s a great product

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Yes sir! Used it in my own backyard. We're doing a follow up video soon showing that stuff

[@seanmckinleylandscaping6358]

@@Tusseylandscaping brilliant be good to see what you think of that 👍

[@GForceFitness1]

Excellent video!

[@elaineharrison7612]

So I came to find out about poly sand because I have small joints, but you promoted a product for pavers with large joints.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks for watching, good luck with your project.

[@jatimmonsjr]

Great video! Very useful.

[@joshstaib41]

Have you installed polymeric sand around a pool while it was up and running. We just had our pavers finished and now our pool is foaming at the mouth. It wasn’t doing this before application of sand. Is this the chemical in the sand and is there something I can do to get rid of it? I’ve tried shocking and no luck

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Yep, that's the poly in the sand, it foams like crazy. Not much you can do other than just let it die out

[@hectorrodriguez455]

These kind of products relay on the polymer used and the % of addition in their formulation, the biggest issue is that that polymer called RDP (redispersable polymer) after some period of time, thats the reason why was getting soft and gummy

[@wesrobertslandscaping5922]

Great Video!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks Wes!

[@GardenGateLawn]

G2 sucks!!! We have been using easy joint. Talk about a strange process. Water water and more water. But hey it works. Thanks for the video.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

We feel your pain!

[@GT-bx1jp]

A few suggestions for future videos... Have a camera stabilizer. Direct your camera away from you to show what you are talking about.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks for the feedback. We're trying to get better

[@JacanaProductions]

so I have installed 2’ x 2’ porcelain pavers on gray breeze, a 4 inches base and then sand, 1 inch - the gaps are a quarter inch. Do you think this easy joint stuff will be OK, I’m here in Colorado where we can get blazing sunshine and freezing temperatures in the winter. The pavers are 3/4 inch thick.

[@tillmansr2002]

Great video@11:00 you mention “this product”. But not the name of it. What is the name of the product?

[@terrythomas790]

Im not a paver contractor, but those joints look too wide, which might cause your issues??

[@ikarus2671]

Not only that but I don't believe they used enough water. Also, they filled the chamfer of the joints even though it says not to on all the bags. 1/8" below the chamfer.

[@terrythomas790]

@@ikarus2671 Yep, with too little water, the top is crusting over before any more water can get through the rest of it., With joints that wide, 9:26 , you might as well use mortar

[@AlaPic3005]

Im adding a blue stone 1.5” patio in Alabama. What base and grout do you recommend? DG and smaller facet on top or concrete base? Old school here does sand but Im not going there. Yall are the best

[@svs5500]

We have also been having the same issues. We switch from Alliance to Polysweep about 2-3 years ago because its seemed to get hard and stay hard if installed correctly. Sealing the patio after sand installation goes a long way as well. My question with Easy Joint is that it is permeable. I believe that using ground stabilization fabric beneath any patio is essential and proven its case over the last 8-10 years I have been installed paver patios. Also using 2A modified as apposed to 2b limestone is the rout I prefer as well. Which is not a permeable application. What would be the alternative if you wanted to use easy joint? Using geo-grid as the stabilzation fabric with compacted 2b limestone and a layer of limestone chip for leveling?

[@ryanharriss7950]

Good video.

[@elfocker]

Looks ez joint saves time on labor = money for installation. excellent for business owner

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Exactly

[@buckwelljohnson3168]

I noticed you install on stone dust and not sand. Is this always the preferred method?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

It's actually not stone dust, it's washed 1/4" chip. And yes we definitely like it better than sand. More stable

[@dianedains7752]

I know it would be more work, but with the size of the joints, have you considered filling 1/2 way wetting down, and then filling the rest? That's for the added Easy Joint!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I hear you, but it wouldn't be practical. There's better solutions available

[@caseyharries2554]

what do you think about using this to lock and Flagstone around the pond that I’m doing? ( Techniseal EZSAND POLYMERIC SAND SABLE POLYMÈRE FOR PAVER JOINTS POUR JOINTS DE PAVÉS DURABLE INHIBITS WEED GROWTH ELIMINATES JOINT EROSION DETERS ANTS ) And then using this on top ( B.P PRO ISB INVISIBLE StainBLOCKER STAIN REPELLANT FOR INTERLOCKING PAVERS ) Im going to motar the Flagstone around the pond perimeter though

[@suzytsaab388]

Great vid and info thanks

[@Tusseylandscaping]

You bet! We have another video coming out soon on this joint sand options

[@ninjip3460]

@@Tusseylandscaping can you please share link of another video, unable to find it. Do you still recommend easy joint?

[@arielruiz5654]

Great video.can easy joint be used in porcelain pavers to keep firmly.?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I actually am not knowledgeable about the porcelain pavers. I would think they can, but old wanna double check with Aztec

[@jeromeclatot1769]

Hello, thanks you for this video, I just passed my pavers to pressure wash, and removed a lot of the joints. The thing is that these joints are really tight, I wonder which one of these product would you recommend? Would it help to seal afterward? Thank you

[@Bluecollarworker]

Can I use any polymeric sand for the 12" boulders going along my driveway acting like a mini retaining wall. i want to fill in the gaps as the rocks are 2-3 high with dirt gaps in between. can i use this sand to fill in the gaps and make the wall stronger.

[@pdjhh]

Good video. You'll be very succesful with this much care and attention! My pavers have pretty narrow gaps so prob stuck with polymer sand. I was wondering though couldn't I brush half the amount in, water it and let dry then some days later do the rest so that the sand underneath gets wet and cures?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thank you! I've never tried that ... Not sure what to tell you. In theory yes i guess it would work, but don't want to tell you to bank on it

[@mainemodelworks4153]

Only question on east joint. I’m in Maine. Having same issue with the yellow bag G2. For the easy joint, how is it holding up to freeze and thaws in PA? I want to try it but anxious it may not be flexible enough for some paver movement in Maine. I do open grade stone bases so I should have not much frost movement on my jobs…. But you never know.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

You may want to do a trail for yourself... Our winters aren't nearly as harsh as yours... And not sure how close to the ocean with the salt spray you are... If that would affect anything or not...

[@emg9272]

If Easy Joint is too course for EP Henry pavers, what sand do you recommend for EP Henry? Thanks.

[@jessedanielryder]

Can't you use a sand+cement mixture?

[@berinmind]

No it will make a mess and stain your pavers

[@jayrose9463]

I have pool pavers (the black tan red style) and have very tight joints What do you recommend

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I would look into GFTK sand (sold by SHS distributors) saudershardscape.com/shs-distributors-store

[@Przehuj]

Did you ever use evolution polymeric sand at your projects ?

[@biromsoft1]

Thanks for the video! I have larger gaps between pavers, maybe up to 10 inches, but they are filled with pea gravel. I want to fill all that with poly sand to fix them up (rain and blower get them away). How do you think will poly sand work with pea gravel in between pavers?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

It won't work. You'd be better off using Gravel Lok, an epoxy

[@frankflanagan4360]

Good stuff, new subscriber!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Jorova7]

Where did you get that or how did you make that broom?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

It's a hydro broom. SHS distributors sells them

[@darianbentley3125]

Subscribed! What’s your experience with Romex?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Don't know if I've used that one. Do you have a link?

[@CageyLeigh]

I’m considering using polymer jointing sand to fill my driveway expansion joints. I’d rather use the self-sealing silicone, but being elderly, I can’t spend that much time on my knees applying the silicone with a caulking gun. It would kill my hips. Do you think that the polymer jointing sand will remain flexible enough for Midwest winters? The overall goal is to stop snow from melting, getting under the driveway, and then refreshing, so permeable is not the ticket.

[@tedtolentino4955]

Kenn, I wonder the same as well. In Oklahoma I have expansion joints in my driveway that have cracked and pitted because of snow that gets into those joints, then freezes. I was thinking of using self-leveling cement to seal the bottom of the joint, then topping with polysand to further seal the joint but with the flexibility in mind of polysand to withstand the cycles of heat (Summer) and freezing (Winter) during the year. Any thoughts?

[@daveborchard2019]

How long do you have to wait for the Easy Joint to cure and harden? Don't you have to wash off the Easy Joint from the surface of the pavers before it cures in the joints? If not, doesn't the Easy Joint sticks to the surface of the pavers?

[@Antiluls]

Honestly love a lot of the stuff you guys post. But damn cross joints are hideous.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

You mean 4 corner joints?

[@Antiluls]

@Tussey Landscaping although i grew up in the states i have no clue what theyre called in English. Here in Germany theyre called Kreuzfugen. Yeah basically when the corners meet at the same point when the paving stones arent displaced. Although here i believe the 4 corners meeting and forming a "cross joint" is singular.

[@Gnba23]

My alliance G2 failed after two years, ants are coming up. I have unilock pavers. Do I just apply easy joint or alliance ultra on the cracks ?

[@joshoconnor6684]

It looks like it may be a combination of them changing the formula and going cheap with their product, and it looks like you possibly may not be compacting the sand enough. You should run a plate compactor over it twice, blow it, add more than compact and clean it again at least 2 to 3 times and each time running the compactor over it twice. So thats 4 to 6 times over the project JUST for the polymeric sand. Of course i dont know how you guys are doing it so maybe you are doing it that way

[@mwhogue9827]

Have you ever tried Joint-It? Very expensive but squeegees on gummy. I have a unique problem of building a fire pit patio on top of uneven rock. This stuff gets hard, (just be sure it is at least 1/4” deep). I need to taper the stone on the edges where it meets the stone. So I need something that will be a 3” wide edging too. Also I will try to use it to fill the many holes in my natural limestone bedrock. I’m interested to know if you have any experience with it.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I've never heard of that one no. Do you have a link?

[@tomokeefe69]

So which product is the best based from your test?

[@debrareed1473]

Can you use easy joint on closely spaced pavers?

[@jenkloter6160]

Great video, Weston. We (Bahler Brothers) have found that the EZJoint doesn’t work very well over a traditional base material. There is just too much water getting poured into the base when the sand is installed. It needs to be a permeable install. We’ve also found that it does not hold up completely on driveways. It’s been a puzzle for us. Let us know what you think after another 6 months to a year. I’d be curious. We use Techniseal NextGel on our traditional installs. Did you notice how much dust you got from that bag when you poured it out compared to the others? It was vastly different.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks for that insight! I hope we don't have any issues with EZ as well 🥺 your notes on permeable vs traditional are interesting. We are installing all our pavers with a bit of a hybrid approach: compacted dense aggregate, with clean washed 1/4" stone for setting bed, which is more permeable than sand. I wonder if that difference is enough to improve performance as opposed to what you experienced? Time will tell. Our very first ez joint job was a commerical driveway, 2 years ago, city buses going over it, and it still looks impeccable today

[@jenkloter6160]

@@Tusseylandscaping We've gone to the small stone for a setting bed as well. That might be what's saving you. We had a couple of jobs where the EZJoint just flooded the install. Even with the joints. It made Josh and the guys a little uncomfortable for the integrity of the project. So we've gone to only on permeable projects. Hope your season is going well. BTW - I've watched a few of your videos. Your videographer is doing an amazing job. They're looking really good.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thank you! That would be yours truly 😎😜

[@temujinkhan6326]

not sold in texas... would sealing polysand/flagstone help it last longer?

[@Rbucks306]

Im going to try Techniseal Next gel on my driveway using traditional base. Its either that or just plain sand. Wish me luck and thanks for mentioning the original first developer of polymeric sand

[@tommann1776]

So I’m trying to repair pavers that have sunk over the years and need to be fixed. Because there are so many and most have sunk about an inch I’m basically redoing the whole walkway. Since I don’t have a drainage system for it, and don’t want to install one, what’s the best polymeric sand to use? It almost sounds like no matter what sand I use it will be horrible in 5 years. So is there a sand you would recommend? And would using a sealer over top help that or no?

[@ninjip3460]

Hi, I’m in similar situation, did you find any solution?

[@army5300able]

What's the brand and label that you recommend that could last between 10 and 15 years? Thanks

[@Norman201305]

Where can I buy some EasyJoint for a small pavement in my backyard? Thank you!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

You'll have to buy it at a supplier, usually a landscape supply place. We get ours from Tussey Mountain Mulch

[@kimwynn8217]

Like your video. Can I use this product, EASY-JOINT, with flagstone? The gap between the flagstone is around 1.5" to 3"

[@Tusseylandscaping]

As long as you have proper base material yes

[@nicolelong3068]

Thanks a lot

[@dduvarney1]

Great video. Thank you! I was searching for the best polymeric sand and after watching your video, I went with EZ joint. It looks great. Still have a large circular area to do but it's coming along. They are permeable pavers and my installer originally put gravel in the joints (which I absolutely hated because with every rain, I had a bunch of gravel on the patio). Consequently I'm spending hours with a shop vac and scraper tool to suck out gravel which is really no fun at all. My question is, do you have a brand of paver sealer you recommend? And, If I use a sealer over EZ joint, will in no longer be permeable? Thank you in advance.

[@temujinkhan6326]

ex oint not sold in texas

[@naamangeist7843]

From what I gather, it's only permeable during the sweep-in stage. Once it hardens, it's no longer permeable. The only reason you want it to be permeable is so it will flow into the joints with water.

[@flyby8049]

@@naamangeist7843 easy joint actually remains permeable as stated right on the product description. Therefore it's not always a good alternative to polymeric sand unless your pavers have proper drainage when installed.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

On the permeability, depends what sealer you use. It could definitely inhibit it some. I don't like polyurethane based sealers. We used to use one that gave it a nice wet look and was water by soluble

[@rickbecket2820]

EasyJoint is not available within 100 miles of Austin Texas? That includes most major cities in the state.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Try SHS distributors. I think they ship. www.shsdistributors.com/easy-joint-for-sale/

[@jeffreysandrone3710]

A landscaper just finished using the Alliance product on my patio and walkway. Both were left stained with a sticky, gritty film. After multiple power washes and chemical applications, we are left with much the same, but the pavers now have a glitter coating like stardust in the sunlight. Very gaudy. No one has a clue. Any suggestions?

[@jackomalley3687]

They overfilled or did not blow off excessive sand and once activated it stained pavers

[@lh98]

Any input on the stuff Lowe’s carries EZ-Sand ? Clearly they’re doing a name thing to copy that EZ Sand vs Easy Joints. Has EZ Sand been tried?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Hello! We haven't tried it! So not much help, sorry!

[@jeffw8616]

Brick pavers, very tight joints. Grass and moss grows. What is recommended? Thanks.

[@barackobama5304]

Roundup

[@flyby8049]

According to g2 you most likely didn’t water it enough so the water didn’t penetrate deep enough. What’s your thoughts ?

[@jspaulding4106]

That is the consensus on several projects with different products. I've done some with my crew, had them do some installs, and done some others totally solo to ensure methodology was followed to a T. Same results. Flaky upper layer, dusty lower layers. I feel like polymeric sands are just imperfect products. And the Nitro and EZ Joint are often cost prohibitive at the initial sale.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Agreed. We had the same results. Flaky crust, dry sand. Even on a patio that i absolutely flooded until water was standing on it. I'll won't use poly sand again. We don't even offer it to the customer. We just go straight to the wet sand

[@revolution3797]

Not long at long cuz it's so informational interlocking 🧩 to the T

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks

[@bedscrunchie445]

Where do you buy this stuff, Easy Joint ??

[@AliciasPage]

I understand you're talking about different sands here, but would cement also be a good and durable option to fill the joints between pavers? I want something that will last long and resist yearly cleaning. Right now my pavers are filled with polymeric sand and when I try to clean the pavers that sand will fly everywhere and wash away leaving empty gaps. Polymeric sand is a no for me and I'm searching for other long lasting options to replace it.

[@tani1591]

You can’t use concrete/mortar as a joint for pavers unless the pavers are set in mortar. If they are set in a loose base they can shift a bit which would crack the mortar. Also the joints are usually to narrow to apply any cement products.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Concrete won't work. I would recommend looking into GFTK resin sand, or a wet sand like EZ joint, Wet-lok, or something similar. There's basically 4 joint sand technologies on the market: 1 poly sand 2 plain sand with a joint lock sprayed into the sand after it's in to harden it. 3 wet sand (like EZ joint) 4 resin sand (like GFTK) Contact SHS Distributors. They're the leading group on all things joint sand. www.shsdistributors.com/contact-us/

[@AliciasPage]

@@tani1591 thank you. Mine are not set in mortar so cement joint is a no then.

[@AliciasPage]

@@Tusseylandscaping thank you for the thorough response. I'm leaning more towards EZ joint due to its durability. I'm trying to remove as much polymeric sand as possible from my patio but if there are remains of it, would that be an adherence issue with the EZ joint? Also, does EZ joint need sealing afterwards?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

You don't need to seal EZ joint no. I'd try to get at least an inch of the poly sand out

[@nguyetly2174]

Thanks for video

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Most welcome

[@chrisp9538]

I never know how much water to use when using Polymeric. The water will sing 1/4 inch. but the holes are 1 inch deep. The lower sand does not harden. Could someone give me some advice please? IS the sand bad? lol or just me?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Sometimes the sand is just annoying... And there are so many factors that can go into it! If you buy it from a commercial landscape company, they will be your best friend and be able to tell you what they think saturation levels should be for it in your specific area with the specific sand you're using with the specific hardscape! They're usually a huge asset! Good luck!

[@chrisp9538]

@@Tusseylandscaping Thank you