Durable and attractive, pavers make a great choice for outdoor flooring. Sustaining their beauty requires little work.
However, since pavers are exposed to various elements such as rain and wind, the joint sand between pavers may get washed out overtime. Occasional washing can also cause the joint sand to corrode.
This compacted sand plays an important role as it locks the pavers together. It also keeps weeds at bay by preventing water from entering through the cracks.
Replacing Loss Joint Sand
The joint sand is key to maintaining the strength of the paver installation.
The sand prevents the pavers from shifting and sliding against each other. Hence, dislodged sand will have to be replenished to keep the paver system structurally sound.
To replace sand that has been washed out, simply pour joint sand over the pavers. Next, sweep it into and across the joints using a stiff push broom.
Keep the depth of the sand at ¼ inch from the surface of the paver. Afterwards, you can sweep the excess joint sand between pavers and store it again for future use.
Note that this is a special type of sand that is available in most hardwares. You can also ask your paver installer for recommendations where to purchase the joint sand.
Preventing Joint Sand Between Pavers from Washing Out
You can protect the joint sand from washing out by sealing the paver surface. Sealing restores the beauty of your pavers.
The paver sealer also serves as glue between the joint sand particles hence holding them together, and preventing the sand from being washed away when it rains or during pressure washing.
The sealer wears off after a few years so make sure to clean the pavers and seal the surface again. This will keep the pavers looking new, and also boost their resistance against weed and moss.
Sealing also helps stabilize the joint sand – a simple preventive measure you can practice to increase paver longevity.
In addition, paver sealer protects pavers from oil, rust, and other stains. But always remember that when it comes to removing dirt on pavers, the sooner you act, the easier it is.