Keeping your paver patio, driveway, or walkway in good shape means more than just sweeping off dirt. Over time, the sand between pavers can wash away, making the surface uneven or allowing weeds to grow. Learning how to re sand pavers can help restore the beauty and stability of your outdoor space, giving it a fresh, durable look. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step, so you can keep your pavers looking great for years.
Why Re-Sanding Pavers Matters
The sand between pavers plays a key role in keeping your patio or driveway secure and attractive. It helps:
- Lock the pavers in place: Prevents shifting or loosening over time.
- Block weed growth: Stops weeds from sprouting between the cracks.
- Improve drainage: Helps water flow properly, reducing puddles and erosion.
If you notice gaps between the pavers, shifting, or weeds growing in the joints, it’s time to re-sand your patio to restore its strength and appearance.
What You’ll Need to Re Sand Pavers
Before starting, gather the following materials:
- Polymeric sand (recommended)
- Broom
- Pressure washer or garden hose with a nozzle
- Tamping tool (optional)
- Garden sprayer or hose for water misting
Polymeric sand is the best choice because it contains special binding agents that harden when wet, keeping the sand from washing away and providing longer-lasting results.
Step-by-Step: How to Re Sand Pavers – A Complete Guide
Maintaining your patio, driveway, or walkway by re-sanding pavers not only keeps the surface visually appealing but also ensures long-term durability. Follow these detailed steps to re-sand your pavers correctly, helping them stay level, weed-free, and looking great for years. Below, we’ve expanded on each step with extra tips and insights to answer any questions you may have.
1. Clear the Area
The first step is to clear your workspace so you have full access to the paver surface and joints. Here’s what to do:
- Remove all items from the area: Move furniture, planters, decorations, or outdoor equipment off the patio, driveway, or walkway.
- Sweep away surface debris: Use a broom to remove leaves, dirt, and twigs from the pavers and joints. This step ensures the sand settles properly in the cracks without getting mixed with debris.
Why is this important?
Clearing the area helps prevent leftover debris from interfering with the sand’s ability to fill the joints. Skipping this step could lead to unstable pavers and the need for frequent re-sanding.
2. Wash the Pavers Thoroughly
A deep cleaning is essential to remove old sand, dirt, and any weeds. Follow these steps to wash the area effectively:
- Use a pressure washer or garden hose: Blast away dirt and grime from the surface and inside the joints. Make sure all old sand is washed out.
- Target weeds: Pull out any weeds by hand or use a weed removal tool to prevent regrowth.
- Let the area dry completely: Wait for the pavers to dry before spreading new sand. Damp surfaces can prevent polymeric sand from bonding correctly.
Pro Tip: If weeds are deeply rooted, apply a weed killer before pressure washing.
Can I skip washing?
No, washing is critical. If old sand, dirt, or weeds are left behind, the new sand won’t settle properly, making your pavers unstable.
3. Spread the Sand Evenly Across the Pavers
Once the area is clean and dry, it’s time to spread the sand. Here’s how:
- Pour polymeric sand onto the surface: Use a bag of polymeric sand designed for paver joints. Avoid regular sand, as it lacks the binding agents needed to keep pavers secure.
- Use a broom to sweep sand into the joints: Make sure every gap between the pavers is filled. Work the sand into the cracks from multiple angles to ensure even coverage.
How do I know when the joints are full?
The sand should sit slightly below the top edge of the paver, leaving a small space to prevent it from spilling over onto the surface. You can tap the surface with your hand to see if the joints are packed properly.
4. Compact the Sand for Added Stability
Compacting the sand ensures it settles into all the joints, preventing future shifting or movement. Here’s how to do it:
- Use a tamping tool or plate compactor: Gently press the sand into the joints. This step ensures the pavers stay level and secure, even with heavy foot traffic or weather changes.
- Reapply sand if needed: After compacting, you may notice some joints need more sand. If so, spread additional sand and compact again.
Is compacting necessary?
While you can skip this step for light-use areas, compacting is highly recommended for patios, driveways, or walkways that experience heavy traffic. It helps prevent pavers from shifting or becoming uneven over time.
5. Remove Excess Sand from the Surface
Before activating the polymeric sand, it’s important to clear away any leftover sand to avoid future issues.
- Sweep away all excess sand: Use a broom to clean off the surface of the pavers thoroughly. Be sure to remove every trace of sand, as any remaining sand on top could harden and become difficult to remove later.
What happens if I leave excess sand on the surface?
Extra sand left behind can harden after misting, creating unsightly patches and making future cleaning difficult. This is especially important if you plan to use polymeric sand, which activates with water.
6. Activate the Polymeric Sand with Water
The final step is to mist the area with water to activate the polymeric sand and lock the pavers in place. Follow these instructions for the best results:
- Use a garden sprayer or hose to mist the surface lightly: Spray evenly across the area. Start with a light mist and work your way across the entire surface.
- Avoid overwatering: Too much water can wash the sand out of the joints. A light mist is all that’s needed to activate the binding agents.
- Let the area dry: Give the sand time to harden before walking on the surface. Depending on the weather, this can take 24-48 hours.
What happens if I overwater?
Overwatering can cause the sand to wash out, leaving the joints unfilled. Be sure to follow the misting instructions on the polymeric sand packaging for the best results.
Common Questions About How to Re Sand Pavers
Can I Use Regular Sand Between Pavers?
No, regular sand is not recommended. While it may temporarily fill the joints, it lacks the binding agents needed to keep pavers stable over time. Polymeric sand is specifically designed for pavers because it hardens when wet, preventing erosion and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
How Often Should I Re Sand Pavers?
You should check your paver joints every 2-3 years. If you see weeds, gaps, or shifting pavers, it’s time to re-sand. Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your patio or driveway and keeps it looking good.
Do I Need to Seal Pavers After Re-Sanding?
Sealing your pavers isn’t required, but it can provide extra protection against stains, erosion, and weed growth. If you decide to seal, wait until the sand has fully hardened—usually 48 hours after activation.
How to Re Sand Pavers ?
Keep Your Pavers in Top Shape
Learning how to re sand pavers is a simple yet important part of maintaining the appearance and stability of your outdoor spaces. By following these steps, you’ll protect your pavers from shifting, prevent weeds from sprouting, and extend the life of your patio, driveway, or walkway.
Can I Use Regular Sand Between Pavers?
A common question homeowners ask is, “Can I use regular sand between pavers?” It might seem convenient to grab a bag of regular sand for the job, but using it comes with several risks. Regular sand doesn’t provide the durability and stability needed to keep pavers in place over the long term. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why polymeric sand is the better option and what could happen if you choose regular sand.
What Happens if You Use Regular Sand?
- Erosion: Rain, wind, and even basic cleaning can wash away regular sand over time, leaving gaps between pavers.
- Loose pavers: Without proper support, your pavers can shift, sink, or become uneven, creating a tripping hazard.
- Weed growth: Regular sand doesn’t have any binding agents, meaning weeds and grass can grow through the gaps.
- Frequent maintenance: If you use regular sand, you’ll need to re-sand the paver joints more often, adding time and effort to your routine.
What Makes Polymeric Sand Better?
Polymeric sand is specifically designed for use between pavers. It contains additives that bind the grains together when they get wet, creating a durable, stable joint. Here’s why polymeric sand is a superior choice:
- Water resistance: Once activated with water, polymeric sand hardens and stays in place even during heavy rain or routine cleaning.
- Prevents weed growth: Its tight seal blocks weeds and grass from sprouting between pavers, reducing the need for weed control.
- Stability: Hardened joints reduce paver movement, which helps prevent uneven surfaces or loose stones.
- Longer-lasting results: Polymeric sand holds up better over time, meaning you won’t need to re-sand as often.
Can You Use Regular Sand in Low-Traffic Areas?
Even in low-traffic areas like garden paths or decorative sections, regular sand still isn’t ideal. It can shift and wash away, leaving your pavers vulnerable to weeds and movement. Using polymeric sand ensures that these areas stay neat and require less maintenance, regardless of how often they are used.
How To Re Sand Pavers? How Often?
The need to re-sand depends on several factors, including:
- Foot traffic: Areas with heavy foot traffic, like patios and driveways, may need more frequent re-sanding.
- Weather exposure: Rain, wind, and harsh weather can wash away sand faster, especially in uncovered spaces.
- Cleaning methods: Power washing or hosing down your pavers regularly can cause sand erosion.
Signs It’s Time to learn How to Re Sand Pavers
- Gaps between pavers: If you notice empty spaces or shrinking joints, it’s time to add more sand.
- Shifting pavers: Uneven or loose pavers are a clear sign that the joints need to be refilled.
- Weeds sprouting: If you see weeds growing between pavers, it could mean the sand is no longer doing its job.
How Often Should You Check Paver Joints?
It’s a good idea to check your paver joints every 2-3 years. Depending on the conditions mentioned above, you may need to re-sand earlier to keep your surface looking and functioning its best.
Benefits of Using Polymeric Sand
Choosing polymeric sand offers a range of benefits that make it a smarter, long-term investment. Below are key advantages that explain why it’s the better option for filling paver joints.
- Improves Stability:
Polymeric sand helps lock pavers into place, reducing movement over time. This keeps your patio or driveway level and minimizes the chances of uneven surfaces or tripping hazards. - Prevents Weeds:
Since polymeric sand forms a tight seal between pavers, it prevents weeds and grass from sprouting. This reduces the need for herbicides or manual weed removal, saving you time and effort. - Requires Less Maintenance:
Polymeric sand is designed to last longer than regular sand. Once applied and activated, it stays put, meaning you won’t need to re-sand as often. - Enhances Appearance:
Sand-filled joints contribute to a clean, polished look. Polymeric sand ensures the joints remain neat and tidy, giving your patio or driveway a professional finish that enhances curb appeal. - Better Water Drainage:
While polymeric sand locks in place, it still allows water to drain through the joints, preventing puddles or erosion issues that can damage your pavers.
Why Long-Term Benefits Matter
Although polymeric sand may cost a bit more upfront, its durability and low maintenance make it a worthwhile investment. You’ll save time, effort, and money in the long run by avoiding frequent repairs and re-sanding.
Keep Your Pavers Looking Great
Knowing how to re sand pavers is a key part of maintaining the look and durability of your patio, driveway, or walkway. Following the steps in this guide—and choosing polymeric sand—will help you keep your pavers secure, weed-free, and attractive for years.
If you want expert help with your pavers or need more than just re-sanding, contact Panda Pavers for professional installation and maintenance services. Our team offers customized paver solutions built to last, ensuring your outdoor spaces look amazing and function perfectly.