Polymeric sand without a compactor ?
#1
06-11-16, 03:24 AM
Polymeric sand without a compactor ?
I recently powerwashed, sanded and sealed my front driveway. However i only swept in the sand and didn't use a compactor, so that it would get deep inside the joints. As a result a lot even after using the sealer, was washed away after some heavy rains.
I'm going to give it another shot. This time use polymeric sand, and was looking at ways of making sure that sand got right down inside the joints. I don't have a compactor... Is there anything that can be used as a substitute, like i dunno a mallet and a bunch load of small hits ? or am i just better up coughing up the money and renting one and getting the job done properly.
Pavers are completely level and i'd like to keep 'em that way, by making sure all my joints are tightly compacted.
I'm going to give it another shot. This time use polymeric sand, and was looking at ways of making sure that sand got right down inside the joints. I don't have a compactor... Is there anything that can be used as a substitute, like i dunno a mallet and a bunch load of small hits ? or am i just better up coughing up the money and renting one and getting the job done properly.
Pavers are completely level and i'd like to keep 'em that way, by making sure all my joints are tightly compacted.
#2
06-11-16, 04:05 AM
Group Moderator
Next time lead with "I have a paver driveway" as everything you are talking about relies on that piece of information.
The vibration of a compactor is vital to settling sand or polymeric sand into the joints between pavers. Without that vibration sand/polymeric can bridge making it look like the cracks are full even though it is empty/hollow below the bridge. The vibration also compacts the sand grains together with fine dust between which further locks them all together solidly.
As far as not having a plate compactor most people do not. You can rent them. Most stores have half day rentals which should be all you'll need.
The vibration of a compactor is vital to settling sand or polymeric sand into the joints between pavers. Without that vibration sand/polymeric can bridge making it look like the cracks are full even though it is empty/hollow below the bridge. The vibration also compacts the sand grains together with fine dust between which further locks them all together solidly.
As far as not having a plate compactor most people do not. You can rent them. Most stores have half day rentals which should be all you'll need.
#3
06-15-16, 01:56 PM
I've been trying to rent a compactor from Home Depot and Taylor Rental. Neither provides a rubber mat / pad to use with their compactor, and my understanding is i could very well damage the pavers without the use of a rubber mat. so i seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place here.
Any advice ?
Any advice ?
#4
06-15-16, 04:00 PM
Group Moderator
I have always used a steel plate compactor. Once I had one paver crack/break and that was during installation and it was probably a bad paver to begin with. Other than that I go over paver patios numerous times with the compactor to settle the sand/polymeric without harm.
#5
06-15-16, 04:27 PM
Member
I have used a hammer drill set to hammer only and a sacrificial piece of 2x10 placed flat on the pavers. Just sit there and vibrate an area and then move down and vibrate the next. Adjust sand and do it again.
