Polymeric Sand: The most misunderstood step of a paver project

[@MicheleLumadue]

Awesome Video. I am a born and raised Pennsylvania girl who located to Florida. We had pavers installed at our pool. The "professional " who did the polymeric sand didn't tamp it down or refill. After 4 months of swimming and water on the pavers, the sand is lifting from the joints. With the help of your video, I am going to tackle the resanding of the pavers myself. Thanks so much. I will research and make sure I get the right kind of sand for Florida sun and swimming pool.

[@shepshape2585]

IMPORTANT TIP: POLYMERIC SAND REACTS TO WATER/MOISTURE. WEAR A MASK WHEN USING THIS PRODUCT, UNLIKE THE "PROFESSIONAL" IN THIS VIDEO UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR LUNGS TO TURN TO CEMENT.

[@sqtq09]

This is the best product ever made by man. Not only that it has saved the lives of 1000000s of children and puppies by just existing

[@rand49er]

After fully power washing our patio to remove the weeds and moss growing between the bricks followed by a cleaning step with a Zep product using a push broom and a thorough washing again with a power washer, I resanded yesterday and wet it down to activate the polymer. It's been dry with no rain overnight. Can I seal the patio before the 48 hour dry time mentioned in the video? Thanks.

[@lisettemartinez9915]

Should a sealer be used on top of polymeric sand?

[@preds1790]

Why did he use a leaf blower? Alliance has "No Blower" written all over the bag and in their product videos.

[@1petrofski]

Because he's a pro and he knows what he's doing. Lol

[@marklanese5594]

Probably old habit. The older versions of polymeric would leave a haze, so it was recommended to use a gentle blow across the top of the pavers prior to activating.

[@timb9257]

I did a polymeric sand with red brick that had some surface crevices. The polymeric sand was speckled. I used a leaf blower, and thought it was good, and it was beautiful wet. But when I dried, I was left with some white spots, and a haze. I think I should have used a dark red sand. Anyway, is there a fix to ring back the red, or do I need to have a redo? Power wash a again with a different sand?

[@Thomas_Paine1286]

use Brick Stain and restain them to the color you were looking for. They will look brand new regardless of age.

[@backspace12399]

I think you could use muriatic acid to get the haze to release, maybe the spots too. Wear an organic vapor mask imo. wet, apply acid and dwell, rinse. Should help a ton. Or Maybe use a wet look sealer? Do a test area before full project for whatever you try.

[@BuzzJones]

Can you Seal over Poly Sand ?

[@bigt5699]

Can this be done without the compactor ?

[@Bone89]

I’d suggest using a hand tamper or rubber mallet

[@ivansuarez5179]

We use a 2 by 4 wood , or rubber hamer

[@michaellovetere8033]

Beautiful job

[@junefletcher]

This man's lungs are going to fill with polymeric sand, which will harden with the moisture, creating health problems over time. He should be wearing a well-fitting KN-95 mask or construction mask.

[@stevethewallbeater9907]

He doesn’t care.

[@wsoares89]

@@stevethewallbeater9907 they didn't ask if he cares or not they just made a statement.

[@happyhonker123]

So many wrong things in the video. Shouldn't have used the blower at all. Its blowing the sand out. Not to mention using the blower without mask. And then spraying out the sand instead of using the misting function. I think the blower and water spray dislodged 50% of the sand.

[@GrandNational66]

You have to blow it off or it will harden on the top of the pavers when you activate it with water.

[@ro63rto]

@@GrandNational66 But the bag says 'No Blower' 🤔

[@GrandNational66]

@@ro63rto its compacted...ive done it...N.P... U have to remove excess that broom doesn't if you don't when you wet it. it'll on harden on the surface

[@popvultureinc5007]

The trick, at least on flagstone, is to carefully pour it into the joints to avoid getting it on the surface in the first place ... Then you mist the cracks with a backpack sprayer very close to avoid getting the top of the paver wet at all then once the the sand starts to dry up, LIGHTLY blow off the surface. ​@@GrandNational66

[@mrcovert011]

Bag says no dust lol covers the guy in dust bag says no blower so the guys use a blower.

[@FD-dh2fu]

When you open up the bag is it dry or a bit moist? I just picked up a bag and it was moist. A few clumps that would not break up at all. Thanks.

[@Nate-pu7iq]

Not the creator but should not me moist any moisture present will cause it to start curing

[@marklanese5594]

The sand should have been 100% dry. The bag must have had a small hole in it.

[@SUBMEILLSUBYOUBRO]

Probly bought paver sand BASE and not poly sand . Base sand does come wet sometimes

[@jamesliu3688]

Does poly sand gets softer when raining?

[@PSW-Living]

Hi James, we reached out to our partners at Alliance and this was their response. I hope it helps. "Yes, polymeric sands do soften when they get wet and harden again as they dry out. This is the natural performance cycle of a polymeric sand, which gives it the important characteristics of flexibility and self healing in a flexible paver system."

[@jamesliu3688]

@@PSW-Living Thank you very much!

[@ncooty]

@1:45: Those bond lines run too long unbroken. @4:25: "Up to 15 plus years" covers all numbers, so it's not very informative.

[@tparr01]

1:21: "Your professional installer will know the proper Polymeric Sands to use." This is not always true.

[@winstonian88]

Like rather he uses the same kind on every job and doesn't care one way or the other.

[@heidipuccinelli5926]

?? I think that I have polymeric sand.. but it’s dark and sinking just a little. The sand doesn’t seem to be the answer. Regular sand doesn’t match our dark color…🤷‍♀️It is now 3 years old.

[@oldpossum57]

Just curious. Is polymeric sand a source of micro plastics? I know that micro plastics are now ubiquitous in our world. I am not sure if they pose a danger to our health or that of other organisms. If this product is a source of micro plastics, should producers be required to label the product, at least giving purchasers a choice?

[@markadler8968]

This product is absolute garbage. I have used it on several projects in the past and it has failed EVERY TIME. It lasts a few months and then starts breaking down and falling out of the joints. I have had to replace this product with regular jointing sand by scraping out this garbage product out of every joint when it failed. Not to mention if you use this on a natural stone it will stain it as well as fall out after a few months. Overall I would say I have lost at least 25K replacing this product on various projects. I don't know why they can even sell this product as it does nothing it promises.

[@frankraucci9110]

Good video. But I think you’re lucky if you get four or five years out of it at least in the Midwest.

[@Eroc.48]

Where can you buy this same brand of polymeric sand?

[@PSW-Living]

Hi, Eric. Thanks for reaching out! Please copy and paste this link for more info: 03C-TDS-GatorMaxxBond-G2-GMB-G2.pdf (alliancegator.com)

[@donnasides6884]

I did this and it did not harden. I was very disappointed spent so much time and energy. I have to do it again

[@PSW-Living]

Hi Donna, we're sorry that you had issues with your polysand. Every type has specific installation requirements. We always recommend having a professional do the installation. However, if it is an issues with the product, you should reach out to the manufacturer directly for advice. Good luck with your project!

[@markofosu2757]

Can u washed it by pressure washing

[@danielmurzellotheunknownma7481]

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[@tonysteinke7234]

Complete waste of money where I live

[@suunraze]

Mask mask mask

[@ArmyAirborneIsRob]

EZJoint

[@ebtsuj7590]

Poly sand sucks