Wonderful video! As a totally inexperienced flagstone installer, 82 years young, I LOVE the realistic, simple method, the clear explanation, the camera detail shots, the gorgeous results! I can DO this! Thanks...
This video is extremely helpful, you only really need to watch this one. I did a huge project a while ago using this video as a guide and I’m doing another one so I’m watching the video again as a refresher course Thank you so much for making this!
great video thank you! i'm going to fill the joints on a very small section of paving (1m x 2.5m, 49cm2 pavers x 8). i don't have a compactor and don't really want the expense of hiring one for such a small job. can i simply use a rubber mallet on the pavers to work the sand down the gaps?
Yeah that would work fairly well in a pinch. It works better if you lay something that is hard with a larger surface area down first and hammer that like a small piece of plywood.
Thanks for all your replies. They’ve been very helpful! I’ve got 4 dry days in the forecast so will be adding poly sand. We’ve got 4 hand tampers so we can get a group to help. Should we add some cardboard or some kind of pad to them when tamping our 1.75” concrete pavers? Or is that not needed for a hand tamper. Thanks again!
@@iamahardscaper will do. We have a bunch of 2x12’ but I’ll see if we have plywood scraps. Lastly, I notice some regular dirt got in to some joints. I plan to broom before I start with the poly sand. Anything elder I should do? Thank you as always!
Hello Thank you for explaining the process I need to apply stain to restore color After how long putting the polymeric sand should we perform staining and sealing ?
I wonder if these instructions are follow as stated by the manufacturer; I am under the impression that some contractors hire extra “hands” without training and they (the hands) are the ones doing the job. Excellent video, thank you!
Yes if our employees are not trained properly to install this, it could definitely go bad quickly. Unfortunately this is something that seems easy to do but is actually quite tedious.
Unfortunately not, but you would want to use a polymeric sand that is rated for wide joints, usually they do not exceed 4”. NOCO by techni seal does not require compaction (according to them) and is rated for wide joints.
Thanks for the video. I'm looking for solutions repair a aging flagstone walkway at a vacation rental. Can the polymeric sand be used over existing grout/cement or does it need to be entirely removed?
We have a patio constructed with unilock permeable paver, current fill between the pavers is a small gravel. Can that be removed and replaced with polymeric sand as shown in the video? Thanks!
They used plastic edgers when our brick patio was put in. In some areas I have an 1/8" gap between the brick and the edger which I want to fill with polymetric sand. So the sand would between the edger and the brick. Can I fill in that gap without issue?
Hello good video !!! I have a question is the installation process of pavers is the same for install flagstone ? If not would be nice if you can make a video of flagstone installation over dirt and over concrete.
Great informative video. I was wondering if this sand also need needs to be applied around swimming pool where pavers meet pool before Deco-seal is applied. Thank you!
I had a paver patio installed by a local hard scape company. Twice now they have done the sand and both times the sand failed. It’s hard in some places and there are big gaps in others where it has washed away or blown away. Should I use a pressure washer and clear out all of the old and start new? I think a problem is that the sand at the bottom didn’t get activated so the dry sand shifted and the activated sand fell in. Would it be necessary to fill the gap halfway and activate, wait and then fill the rest of the way and activate again? Or did they just not use the compactor correctly or enough water to activate? Thanks.
I couldn’t say without actually seeing it. But if they are sweeping in, compacting, and following those steps, it is likely the watering phase that may be failing. I wouldn’t be too hard on them if they have come out twice now to install, as there has been frustrations in the industry with polymeric sand the past couple of years. It would need to be installed all at once or else you are not getting the fusion between the two layers. Pressure wash and clear out to start new. Hope this helps
@@iamahardscaper thank you for the reply. Not hard on them at all, I feel bad they are losing money redoing the job which is why I wanted to take over the install. I have heard batches lately are failing. Thank you for the insight.
I just finished resanding my 8 year old paver patio. To make a long story short, I removed all the old sand and followed the instructions carefully. (On the bag, the website and youtube videos) I borrowed a compactor from the original contractor who didn't want the job. Everything went as planned and looked great after it dried; until it rained (light, steady rain) 2 days later. In about 10 percent of the joints, tiny bubbles of the polymer sand raised up approximately 1/8 inch. During the rain I could push the bubbles back down, but they'd pop right back up. Not sure if it was air under them or water. After it dried again, these areas are loose and can be easily removed with my finger and are kinda gummy. Have you ever had this happen? Too much water? Not enough water?
@@iamahardscaper Thanks for the quick reply. I've actually re-sanded 2 patios. One was installed on course sand bedding over concrete using 1 1/2' pavers. The second one was over bare ground (clay) and a compacted pug mill or 21a base material, then sand and topped with 2 3/8" pavers. This bubbling happened on both. Also, there are joints where there doesn't seem to be any polymer, just loose sand. I can easily blow it out with a water hose on lowest setting. Then there are joints that are very firm. I watered as evenly as possible over 200sf at a time until the white film or foam appeared and then I stopped. I used Techniseal NextGel on the original install and the re-sand.
Tons of information! Thanks! After the 30 day curing period of the polymeric sand, what product do you use to wash the pavers before applying a sealer? I've heard of acid washes to clean off any poly haze and remaining efflorescence prior to sealing. What does your typical process look like?
Yes, either an efflorescence cleaner if there is that present on the surface or a paver prep if not. Techni seal and alliance make great products for this.
@@iamahardscaper Thanks! I've also heard of Whitewater or Cobble Prep scrubbed over the top. You should make a video about that. Haven't found anything on UA-cam and I think you'd explain everything in full detail better than the others.
Mike, can you explain the leveling of the flagstone to create a smooth surfacing when working with variable heights of natural stone. I’ve scoured the internet and have yet to see much on this step. Pretty much , once the bedding is ready what is your strategy between then and finishing with poly. (Old school way, with a sand bedding) thanks! 😃
Oh I’m probably not the best to ask that for a good system. But what I have done and still do is screed like for any patio and lay and level as I go with extra bedding material or scraping away as needed. Irregular flagstone is priced more expensive because of that added labor component
@@iamahardscaper ok thanks Mike. I was thinking on using some sheets of plywood like I saw you use in one of your videos when you were settling your poly into some flagstone joints. It looked liked a good way to spread out the pressure a bit and keep the surface protected.
I installed the plastic edge restraint as directed in your video. Thank you! How do I spread the polymeric sand to the edge when the edging is lower than the top of the pavers?
What is the absolute minimum amount of time it takes to set before cars can drive over it? Keep in mind the pavers are already permanently set I just want to use it to fill cracks
Hi Mike. Thanks for the link. Ordered the mat tonight 👌. I'm using 50mm 14"x28" slabs over Gator Base. Have you had any breakage issues using the 14" plate compactor with the special pad? Those pavers in this video looked to be 50mm ish. 😁
Is there any issue with the excess sand after you blow it off? Do the little bits get hard that fly off into the grass/beds, etc? Also, is the 30 day wait to seal a hard rule? Kind of just want to get it all done.
They will get hard if they build up in the beds. 30 day is definitely a hard rule, and you should see the date when your pavers were produced because that could also increase that timeline. I usually wait 3 months.
I'm 70 and doing this myself to a 150 square foot area. The pavers butt right up to my asphalt driveway. Q#1) What if I get the polymeric sand on my asphalt? Q# 2) I absolutely cannot use a compactor. Is there something else I can use? I do have a hand tamper. Q#3) Can I store an opened container for a while in a dry, clean area?
1) polymeric sand is dry swept into the joints, if you get some on your asphalt it doesn’t matter. Before you water it you should use a blower and you can blow it off of those surfaces. 2) you can try a hand tamper. It won’t do as good of a job depending on the joint widths and it won’t be as efficient. 3) yes, you can store it but it does have a shelf life.
You could do that, but most manufacturers recommend not sealing until the pavers have been laid for 3 months so you’d have an unfinished patio for that long that could already have weed growth in the joints. Plus the sealer stabilizes the sand which is a benefit
Question: along the edges, is that also polymeric sand or just regular sand/gravel? It looks like sand, and then you push gravel on top of it to keep it in place 1:54
This application has asphalt being installed up against it. So we just install a concrete edge restraint up against it and then backfill on top of that with gravel so there is no tripping hazard until the driveway is done. The sand you see is just overflow from the install.
The white foam is a surfactant and totally normal to see. That’s how you know you’ve likely watered enough. Doesn’t cause staining. You definitely should not seal after 2-3 days, check with the poly sand manufacturer
@@iamahardscaper polymer sand contains polymers, as in plastics. And the excess is blown away using a leaf blower. Into your own garden and well and neighborhood?
😂😂😂 how I know you’re gay,, Did you see that they are saying that men’s testicles have microplastics 6:14 in them too? You don’t have to worry about that because you don’t have them.
Wonderful video! As a totally inexperienced flagstone installer, 82 years young, I LOVE the realistic, simple method, the clear explanation, the camera detail shots, the gorgeous results!
I can DO this! Thanks...
Glad this helps!
This video is extremely helpful, you only really need to watch this one. I did a huge project a while ago using this video as a guide and I’m doing another one so I’m watching the video again as a refresher course
Thank you so much for making this!
Thanks so much!
great video thank you! i'm going to fill the joints on a very small section of paving (1m x 2.5m, 49cm2 pavers x 8). i don't have a compactor and don't really want the expense of hiring one for such a small job. can i simply use a rubber mallet on the pavers to work the sand down the gaps?
Yeah that would work fairly well in a pinch. It works better if you lay something that is hard with a larger surface area down first and hammer that like a small piece of plywood.
Excellent!! You are a pro. And it shows. Thank you so much! 👍😊
Thank you!
Thanks for all your replies. They’ve been very helpful! I’ve got 4 dry days in the forecast so will be adding poly sand. We’ve got 4 hand tampers so we can get a group to help. Should we add some cardboard or some kind of pad to them when tamping our 1.75” concrete pavers? Or is that not needed for a hand tamper. Thanks again!
Yes definitely. Anything you can get to protect the pavers. Something harder is better so it doesn’t absorb the impact. Plywood
@@iamahardscaper will do. We have a bunch of 2x12’ but I’ll see if we have plywood scraps.
Lastly, I notice some regular dirt got in to some joints. I plan to broom before I start with the poly sand. Anything elder I should do? Thank you as always!
leaf blower helps with this. you'll need it anyways for the poly sand install
@@iamahardscaper perfect! I did buy one of those for the project. Thank you!
Hello
Thank you for explaining the process
I need to apply stain to restore color
After how long putting the polymeric sand should we perform staining and sealing ?
Most manufacturers recommend 30 days. But best to check with the specific manufacturer that you are installing
I wonder if these instructions are follow as stated by the manufacturer; I am under the impression that some contractors hire extra “hands” without training and they (the hands) are the ones doing the job. Excellent video, thank you!
Yes if our employees are not trained properly to install this, it could definitely go bad quickly. Unfortunately this is something that seems easy to do but is actually quite tedious.
Any videos on installing poly sand for flagstone patios with wide and irregular spaces?
Unfortunately not, but you would want to use a polymeric sand that is rated for wide joints, usually they do not exceed 4”. NOCO by techni seal does not require compaction (according to them) and is rated for wide joints.
Thanks for the video. I'm looking for solutions repair a aging flagstone walkway at a vacation rental. Can the polymeric sand be used over existing grout/cement or does it need to be entirely removed?
It needs to be removed to a depth of 1” or so depending on the manufacturer
Very informative, Thank You!!
👍👍
We have a patio constructed with unilock permeable paver, current fill between the pavers is a small gravel. Can that be removed and replaced with polymeric sand as shown in the video? Thanks!
Yup, it may take some time scrapping it out of the joints and replacing it. Make sure you try to get it all out.
They used plastic edgers when our brick patio was put in. In some areas I have an 1/8" gap between the brick and the edger which I want to fill with polymetric sand. So the sand would between the edger and the brick. Can I fill in that gap without issue?
Yup that wouldn’t be a problem
Have you ever done a pad with field stone? Not typical flag stone or pavers?
No, I’ve never done field stone
Hello good video !!! I have a question is the installation process of pavers is the same for install flagstone ? If not would be nice if you can make a video of flagstone installation over dirt and over concrete.
Still the same, just a different process of laying and getting pieces to fit. Polymeric sand needs to be formulated for wide joints.
@@iamahardscaper got it as always the information you share always is great and very helpful. Thank you. And don’t stop making these awesome videos
Thank you! 👍
Great informative video. I was wondering if this sand also need needs to be applied around swimming pool where pavers meet pool before Deco-seal is applied. Thank you!
Thank you! I do not think so if you are applying that product, but I would reach out to them to confirm.
I had a paver patio installed by a local hard scape company. Twice now they have done the sand and both times the sand failed. It’s hard in some places and there are big gaps in others where it has washed away or blown away. Should I use a pressure washer and clear out all of the old and start new? I think a problem is that the sand at the bottom didn’t get activated so the dry sand shifted and the activated sand fell in. Would it be necessary to fill the gap halfway and activate, wait and then fill the rest of the way and activate again? Or did they just not use the compactor correctly or enough water to activate? Thanks.
I couldn’t say without actually seeing it. But if they are sweeping in, compacting, and following those steps, it is likely the watering phase that may be failing. I wouldn’t be too hard on them if they have come out twice now to install, as there has been frustrations in the industry with polymeric sand the past couple of years.
It would need to be installed all at once or else you are not getting the fusion between the two layers. Pressure wash and clear out to start new. Hope this helps
@@iamahardscaper thank you for the reply. Not hard on them at all, I feel bad they are losing money redoing the job which is why I wanted to take over the install. I have heard batches lately are failing. Thank you for the insight.
I just finished resanding my 8 year old paver patio. To make a long story short, I removed all the old sand and followed the instructions carefully. (On the bag, the website and youtube videos) I borrowed a compactor from the original contractor who didn't want the job. Everything went as planned and looked great after it dried; until it rained (light, steady rain) 2 days later. In about 10 percent of the joints, tiny bubbles of the polymer sand raised up approximately 1/8 inch. During the rain I could push the bubbles back down, but they'd pop right back up. Not sure if it was air under them or water. After it dried again, these areas are loose and can be easily removed with my finger and are kinda gummy. Have you ever had this happen? Too much water? Not enough water?
Typically one or the other. Too much or too little. Could also be poor drainage. I’d be interested to know what the bedding layer below the pavers is.
@@iamahardscaper Thanks for the quick reply. I've actually re-sanded 2 patios. One was installed on course sand bedding over concrete using 1 1/2' pavers. The second one was over bare ground (clay) and a compacted pug mill or 21a base material, then sand and topped with 2 3/8" pavers. This bubbling happened on both. Also, there are joints where there doesn't seem to be any polymer, just loose sand. I can easily blow it out with a water hose on lowest setting. Then there are joints that are very firm. I watered as evenly as possible over 200sf at a time until the white film or foam appeared and then I stopped. I used Techniseal NextGel on the original install and the re-sand.
Tons of information! Thanks!
After the 30 day curing period of the polymeric sand, what product do you use to wash the pavers before applying a sealer? I've heard of acid washes to clean off any poly haze and remaining efflorescence prior to sealing. What does your typical process look like?
Yes, either an efflorescence cleaner if there is that present on the surface or a paver prep if not. Techni seal and alliance make great products for this.
@@iamahardscaper Thanks! I've also heard of Whitewater or Cobble Prep scrubbed over the top.
You should make a video about that. Haven't found anything on UA-cam and I think you'd explain everything in full detail better than the others.
Mike, can you explain the leveling of the flagstone to create a smooth surfacing when working with variable heights of natural stone. I’ve scoured the internet and have yet to see much on this step. Pretty much , once the bedding is ready what is your strategy between then and finishing with poly. (Old school way, with a sand bedding) thanks! 😃
Oh I’m probably not the best to ask that for a good system. But what I have done and still do is screed like for any patio and lay and level as I go with extra bedding material or scraping away as needed. Irregular flagstone is priced more expensive because of that added labor component
@@iamahardscaper ok thank you..once you’re placed and leveled..do you run the compactor to seat them in deeper and then poly sand?
Typically I use a mallet on every piece. If you need to, you can use a roller compactor. I wouldn’t try a compactor even with a mat on with flagstone.
@@iamahardscaper ok thanks Mike. I was thinking on using some sheets of plywood like I saw you use in one of your videos when you were settling your poly into some flagstone joints. It looked liked a good way to spread out the pressure a bit and keep the surface protected.
That would help 👍
Will it work if I just use my tamper instead of the packing machine?
It is not ideal, you want a larger footprint for consistency and effects by.
I installed the plastic edge restraint as directed in your video. Thank you! How do I spread the polymeric sand to the edge when the edging is lower than the top of the pavers?
You can backfill soil to the pavers and install polymeric sand or if you need to you can tape the pavers off.
Perfect! Thank you for the response. Your videos are fantastic! Thumbs up 👍🏻
What is the absolute minimum amount of time it takes to set before cars can drive over it? Keep in mind the pavers are already permanently set I just want to use it to fill cracks
It will be different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Usually at least 48 hours. But if it is just a small fix, I wouldn’t be too concerned about it
Hi Mike. Thanks for the link. Ordered the mat tonight 👌. I'm using 50mm 14"x28" slabs over Gator Base. Have you had any breakage issues using the 14" plate compactor with the special pad? Those pavers in this video looked to be 50mm ish. 😁
These are 60mm. With a 19x36 slab we do sometimes get breaks. So try with a small area and see how they do.
Very helpful
Thank you!
Great video - thanks!
Thank you!
Is there any issue with the excess sand after you blow it off? Do the little bits get hard that fly off into the grass/beds, etc? Also, is the 30 day wait to seal a hard rule? Kind of just want to get it all done.
They will get hard if they build up in the beds. 30 day is definitely a hard rule, and you should see the date when your pavers were produced because that could also increase that timeline. I usually wait 3 months.
@@iamahardscaper thanks!
Can the sand be hand tampered to be consolidated?
Always better to have the vibrational impact of a compactor rather than a ramming impact of a hand tamper.
I'm 70 and doing this myself to a 150 square foot area. The pavers butt right up to my asphalt driveway. Q#1) What if I get the polymeric sand on my asphalt? Q# 2) I absolutely cannot use a compactor. Is there something else I can use? I do have a hand tamper. Q#3) Can I store an opened container for a while in a dry, clean area?
1) polymeric sand is dry swept into the joints, if you get some on your asphalt it doesn’t matter. Before you water it you should use a blower and you can blow it off of those surfaces.
2) you can try a hand tamper. It won’t do as good of a job depending on the joint widths and it won’t be as efficient.
3) yes, you can store it but it does have a shelf life.
Good for you. I'm the same. Let's keep doing projects.
How do remove a film on the pavers after activation of the Polymeric sand?
If it is a hazy film, there are polymeric haze cleaners. It may be something that needs some time. Depends what it looks like
on new pavers why not seal first than sand 2nd???
You could do that, but most manufacturers recommend not sealing until the pavers have been laid for 3 months so you’d have an unfinished patio for that long that could already have weed growth in the joints. Plus the sealer stabilizes the sand which is a benefit
Question: along the edges, is that also polymeric sand or just regular sand/gravel? It looks like sand, and then you push gravel on top of it to keep it in place 1:54
This application has asphalt being installed up against it. So we just install a concrete edge restraint up against it and then backfill on top of that with gravel so there is no tripping hazard until the driveway is done. The sand you see is just overflow from the install.
@@iamahardscaper thanks
I am paving with bluestone which is fragile and only half inch thick. I really do not want to risk running a vibrator over them.
You can look into renting a roller compactor, they work with 1” thick stone. Or use a rubber mallet
If white stuff comes out you put too much water. The brick WILL have white stains. You CAN seal after 2-3 days.
The white foam is a surfactant and totally normal to see. That’s how you know you’ve likely watered enough. Doesn’t cause staining. You definitely should not seal after 2-3 days, check with the poly sand manufacturer
What? Microplastics blown all over your home? Who would want to do that?
Huh?
@@iamahardscaper polymer sand contains polymers, as in plastics. And the excess is blown away using a leaf blower. Into your own garden and well and neighborhood?
I would hope that you don’t drive a vehicle or live in a house or use any plastics whatsoever
@@heikki8409 Let me guess, you use paper straws that are wrapped in plastic.
😂😂😂 how I know you’re gay,, Did you see that they are saying that men’s testicles have microplastics 6:14 in them too? You don’t have to worry about that because you don’t have them.