Buy a hard setting joint sand that is an easy to use block paving joint sand that sets very hard between the joints of your paving blocks. Called a polymeric joint sand, once it has cured and set hard it helps to stop weeds growing and the sand between your blocks from washing away when you clean your block paving.
Next time you clean use a hard setting joint sand for block paving instead of kiln dried sand
It may seem hard to believe that you could brush in a paving joint sand that looks similar to kiln dried sand that will set rock hard. Well, replacing your old joint sand with a hard setting sand for block paving that’s exactly what you get. And this is without the need of applying a sealer to set your sand hard.
Setting sand for joints of block paving
- Stops sand loss when cleaning
- Stops ants nests
- Sets joint sand hard
- Stops weeds growing in gaps
- Easy to apply
- Works like kiln dried sand
- Ideal for all block paving
- Ideal for joints of 2-5mm
Why setting sand can be used to replace kiln dried sand
It’s a familiar story if you own a driveway or patio that has been paved with paving blocks. Once you’ve cleaned your block paving either with a jet washer or one of the other many ways, you then set about replacing the lost sand of the joints with kiln dried sand. Only to then find after a couple of weeks have passed that the weeds growing back through your paving joints again and the rain has washed out your joint sand from between the pavers.
So what can be done to prevent weeds and loss of the joint sand?
Well you could use the traditional method & apply a block paving sealer to set your joint sand hard. As the application of a sealer has many similar benefits including being absorbed by your kiln dried sand then setting hard.
But next time you’re ready to replace your joint sand consider using a polymeric kiln dried sand that sets hard like concrete once it’s cured. It’s a cost effective way to prevent sand loss & weeds. You won’t immediately know the difference between traditional kiln dried sand and a fine grain polymeric setting sand. That’s because they look and act similar when applied. But once the new setting joint sand has moisture cured, the differences will be noticeable immediately. The joint sand will be set very hard to the touch. It’s flexible and wont crack once cured. This will then prevent the growth of new weeds and the wash out of your sand when it rains heavy or you next decide to clean your block paving.
Best selling setting sand for block paving
- PERFECT FOR BLOCK PAVING – Use it to finish off your footpaths, patios, indoor stone floors, pedestrian areas and driveways.
- LONG-LASTING – Cures to a hard finish that resists cracking and doesn’t get washed away by rain or water.
- NO NEED TO WEED – This sand cures in water, leaving a hard finish that resists the growth of weeds and insect movements.
- SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AT-HOME EXTERNAL FLOOR JOINTING – From patio paving to natural stone paths and driveways, FastFix All Weather Self-Setting Joint Compound is the product for you.
- LARGE COVERAGE – Suitable for 5mm wide x 20mm deep joins for a shrink-free finish on areas up to 19m².
- HIGH WATER AND RAIN RESISTANCE – Apply even in the rain as it contains Active Resin Technology that sets hard but remains permeable and won’t shrink over time.
Watch our video on how to apply kiln dried sand here
How to clean block paving here
How to use a hard setting sand on block paving
Please read our step-by-step instructions to avoid mistakes on how to apply a narrow joint setting sand for block paving joints. We always recommend that you read before use & carefully follow the manufacturers instructions that will be provided with the product. Please pay particular attention to the health & safety data as all manufacturers products may be different.
- Make sure your block paving is clean and dry before you apply the product. Please refer to our cleaning guides if you are unsure how to clean your block paving before you apply a jointing sand. Its important to note that the joints of your paving should be a minimum width of 2mm and a maximum width of 5mm. The minimum depth of sand that has been removed prior to applying the setting sand should be at least 25mm. In order to remove your old kiln dried joint sand to a depth of 25mm you may want to consider cleaning your block paving with a pressure washer to help achieve this depth.
- Always carry out a test with the setting sand on an in-conspicuous area to familiarise yourself with the product and to see if the product is the right one for you.
- Do not add any extra dry sand to the material.
- Do not apply if it is due to rain during the application process.
- Begin by spreading the sand in small manageable amounts to avoid overspreading of the material.
- Use a sweeping broom to sweep the material into the joints. Make sure the joints of your paving are completely filled.
- Sweep off the surface any excess sand immediately as it can be very difficult to remove once set.
- Thoroughly soak the joints of the paving with water. It is recommended you use a hosepipe set to spray or if not available you can use a watering can with a rose can be used. Do not use a pressure washer to wet the paving joints. Please make sure that all the joints are fully saturated and any excess material is removed from the surface of your block paving
- It should be safe to walk on the treated surface immediately after the application.
- Drying time will normally take between 1 & 2 days depending on temperature. If the temperature is low then the drying time will be longer. It will take up to 28 days to achieve a full cure, after which you paving joint sand should have set hard.
That’s it, you have finished.
What you need to know before and after you replace your kiln dried sand with a joint setting sand
Before you replace your block paving joint sand with a hard setting sand there are a few things you need to know about using this kind of setting joint sand and how it will effect the performance of your pavers in the future.
- Do not apply the product if the temperature is below 5 degrees C.
- Do not use on joints widths of less that 2mm. Joint depths must be a minimum of 25mm to be effective.
- Do not use a high pressure jet washer to clean the paving until at least 28 days have passed for the sand to set hard.
- When you clean your paving, do not use the nozzle of the jet washer closer than 10cm from the surface as this could damage the sand.
- Once applied the joints will become waterproof similar to how it would be if you applied a block paving sealer. This will stop the water draining through the joints of your pavers. You must only use setting sand on paving that has an adequate fall to allow water to drain away.
- Never apply a polymeric setting paving sand if your paving is damp or wet
Popular manufacturers of this product
If you are looking for reviews of setting sand for block paving joints to find out if it is worth buying for your driveway or patio paving then please have a look at some of the biggest selling manufacturers such as Sika, Easy Joint, Glean, Bostic & Ever Build. You can find product reviews and customer comments on what they think of the product as an alternative to kiln dried sand or using a block paving sealer.
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