I'm working on my paver patio, which is set on a concrete slab, and I'm looking to power wash and replace the poly sand. Most of the poly sands I've found require compacting, but I'd like to skip that step due to the extra hassle and cost. Is there any type of poly sand available that can be used without needing to compact it? Also, I'd appreciate any other tips for this project!
3 Answers
Honestly, I can't stand poly sand either! I just add more regular sand each season and brush it into the cracks before watering it down. Just make sure to remove any loose stuff before adding more. It's a bit messy, but it beats dealing with all that plastic!
You’re right that compacting is usually to help the sand settle into the cracks, but some folks just bang the pavers with a 2x4 instead. It might work out fine without renting equipment!
I've never used a compactor either! Sure, I might deal with a few more weeds that way, but I just don't want the expense of renting one. Go ahead and try it without compacting; if it were me, I'd do the same!
That’s my backup plan too. I just didn’t want to lose a lot of structural integrity by skipping the compactor step, so I was hoping for another option.