Polymeric joint sand withstands the test of time

For most homeowners with concrete paving bricks on their driveway, patio or path, the onset of spring usually comes with a recurring and upsetting discovery: the erosion of paver joint sand.

If there is a valid argument against selecting a properly installed interlocking concrete pavement, it is that the joint sand used to stabilize the pavers creates ongoing maintenance issues. It erodes with rain and wind, ending up in a number of places other than between the pavers. Joint sand can also be fertile ground for airborne weed seeds and an inviting home for nearby ant colonies.

This is especially true with the popular high-end, tumbled pavers with irregular edges and rounded corners. Larger spaces between bricks mean a greater chance that sand will wash away. It’s a real problem, but there’s a fix.

Polymeric joint sand effectively removes that singular reasonable argument against owning an interlocking concrete pavement and allows jobs to withstand the test of time.

Invented by a company called Techniseal, it is a high-tech mix of graded sand and binder. Activated by a misting of water at installation, the polymeric molecules form a strong yet flexible bond with the sand. Polymeric sand has more than a decade of stellar performance in the most extreme freeze-thaw climates in North America as well as more moderate climates.

“Representing, on average, less than 3 percent of the overall cost of a paver project, polymeric joint sand is quite simply the best solution there is when it comes to erosion control, weed inhibition, insect resistance, and overall surface response to movement,” explained Rick DeMarchi, Director of Marketing for Techniseal.

Installation is easy. Just sweep the polymeric sand into the joints like regular sand, and it will harden over a 24- hour period after a simple three-step wetting process. You can then look forward to years of enjoyment of your new pavement without the hassle of spraying weeds, re-sweeping sand or cleaning up sand where you wish it wasn’t.

With this innovative product you also retain the flexibility of your paver installation, meaning no cracking or heaving in the spring. Available in both tan and grey, polymeric sand can even enhance the aesthetic appeal of your paver project. More information on polymeric sand is available at www.techniseal.com.