The Best Best Polymeric Sand 2024
We at Concrete Sealer Review continue to remain a trusted source for concrete and brick paver sealer tips and unbiased reviews. We continue to recommend Surebond polymeric sand for its performance and cost. Any questions? Feel free to leave us a comment with any pictures below.
Every interlocking brick paver system involves the use of joint sand. This joint sand helps to reduce paver movement by bonding the system together. It is also a vital part of prohibiting weed growth, insect infestation, and sand washout. The proper type of sand needs to be used for the best results. Polymeric sand is highly recommended because once it is applied to the joints, it reacts with misted water and creates a binding agent that helps solidify the sand and locks the pavers together.
The best polymeric sand to use is a brand like Surebond. This special polymeric sand will bind the sand particles together when reacted with water but will not cause a problem known as poly haze. Poly haze is what happens when there is polymeric sand left on the surface of the pavers after the sand has been swept into the cracks. The pavers are then misted with water to activate the binding agent but in turn, it also reacts with the left behind layer of surface sand, creating a white haze.
Once this occurs, the white poly haze can only be removed with an acid-based cleaner. If it is not removed and accidentally sealed over, the poly haze will be trapped under the sealer. The surface will have a milky white haze to it that can only be fixed by stripping the sealer off and then acid cleaning the white haze and basically starting all over again. Surebond poly sweep sand is not prone to this poly haze phenomenon.
Surebond polymeric sand is easy to use and will bind the pavers together creating a lock-tight structure that will hinder weed growth and paver movement. Using the best polymeric sand is a crucial step in paver construction whether it is a patio, driveway, porch, or walkway. It will work for any type of interlocking paver installation. When the pavers are due for maintenance new poly sand should be installed where needed after cleaning the pavers and prior to sealer application. Using the best polymeric sand is well worth the investment.
Hello, I am going to attempt to redo my paver sealer and sand. I am in tampa fl and had my concrete 2 inch pavers installed about 3 years ago in my backyard and pool (salt pool) area. When they were done they waited about a month to seal and when they did the sealer it rained a little. They sealed it again a day later and it looked worse. Then a few months later I paid another company to resand and seal (they stripped the original) then they put 3 coats of sealer and new sand. Since then it… Read more »
Polymeric sands are not sold online due to their heavy weight and low cost. It’s best to go to your local paver yard and see what they have. There are many different brands, so ask questions if anyone has had issues such as poly sand haze with the brand(s) they carry.
https://www.concretesealerreview.com/what-is-poly-sand-haze/
Do you have any other tips or recommendations for this to last
No, there is not any way to make the sand last longer besides using a poly sand and a sealer that will help to harden the sand.
Also when I do the sand do I need to rent a compactor to run over the pavers.
Not with joint sand.
I live in Canada what is the best sealer for slate stone walkway
Try Super Seal-M.
Thank you for the article. It is very helpful. Some poly sands are more coarse than others. Would you say Surebond is fine enough for tight joints? My joints are 1/8”. Thanks.
Poly sands in general will not work for joints that are less than 1/4″.
What happens if all the previous sand is not removed?
TY
The new poly sand will not correctly.
Can I use this kind of sand on pavers around the pool deck? and do I need to remove all the sand in between the pavers first or just the “upper layer” in order to apply the polymeric sand?
Thank you
Yes, you can use it around a pool and you will need to pressure wash out the current sand.
If no rain expected for weeks can I add polymeric sand to joints that are complete to hold them while I finish area over the week then water the whole project ???
Just do it all at once, much easier.
I have the following Paver Patio (pics attached) where the interlocking sand had quite a bit of moss growing in the joints…we pressure washed it and some (not all) of the interlocking sand was removed, can I simply pour new sand over where we pressure washed and it removed, will the new sand adhear to the existing sand very well? Just curious if I should pressure wash it all out or I can put a new layer over the top.
If using a poly sand you will need to remove all of the old sand.
I used SureBond’s SureClean to clean/powerwash old concrete pavers. I bought GATOR MAXX G2 Polymeric Sand and planning to use SureBond’s SB-1300 sealer. Can I put apply the SB-1300 sealer right after installing the G2 sand? I just saw a video on how someone did it using Pollyswep. Otherwise, per G2’s + SureBond’s instructions, I must mist the sand with a hose 3x, use the SureClean product, and then apply the SB-1300, without getting most of the direct benefits of the joint stabilizer (2 extra steps) Also, are Pollysweep and Gator Maxx G2 comparable? They’re both ASTM C 144. I’d… Read more »
No, mist the sand and then let dry before using the SB-1300. Not sure if compatible or not.
Will I get the joint stabilizer benefits of sealing after drying? Or do you think its best to just buy the Pollysweep and seal it right after?
No issues and do as we explained. Let it dry.
Has anyone tested or written a review about Gator Maxx G2 poly sand? Its website makes some very appealing claims about ease of installation and fast setup. Thank you.
Sorry, have not used it yet.
Install 2 years ago. Needs to be replaced. Going with dominator this time.
How does Surebond polymeric sand compares to Black Diamond Coatings Dominator? What about Alliance Gator Polymeric “Super” Sand? Can you elaborate please? Thanks.
We have nos used either of the brands in 5-7 years so not sure if they will give a poly sand haze to the paver or not.
Had long-term issues with original Technicseal sand that was applied to 700 sq ft of pavers about 10 years ago. Apparently they used to have a good product but got soft, literally. So I’ve done extensive research on what to replace it with. Aready did the heavy-lifting of replacing the heaved edging, resetting low areas, and pressure washing the whole thing with a turbo nozzle to get all of the existing sand out of all the cracks. The Surebond / SEK / Polysweep product (all the same thing) appears to be a sure winner based on many other reviews and… Read more »
I live in Windsor Ontario Canada. I’m redoing my prosaver patio. What brand of polmeric sand would you recommend? The size is about 90 sq ft How much polymeric sand do I need
Sorry but sure what brands of poly sand are sold there?
Should a polymeric sand be installed before sealing pavers or after?
Before sealing.
I just installed a walkway using red clay bricks and was then about to apply polymeric sand to the joints when I read on the mfgr’s website to (emphatically) NOT use the product on red clay brick as it will definitely stain them. This mfgr’s website also stated that the product is to be used on 1/4″ minimum gap widths. I certainly don’t want to stain my new brick walkway, and the joints are definitely tighter (0-1/8″). I am now hesitant to use any polymeric sand product in this application. Should I use regular sand to fill the joints (mostly… Read more »
Use regular sand.
You will be just fine, use gator max sand and it will look great
I have a few minor low spots with a couple of my pavers and they sometimes puddle slightly. Will the Surebond PolySweep Sand allow water to penetrate/drain through this sand?
Use water will drain through poly sand.
Will it work for something like this?
Yes.
What color should be used with red brick walkway
Tan.
A few questions before this person you advised the person to use regular sand, as this product will stain the red clay bricks. Am I missing something?
That was based on the manufacturer directions and 99% of pavers are concrete, not clay.
Hi once I decided on this brand I started looking at where to buy it. Does $250 for a 50 pound bag seem right?
What brand? Poly sand costs about $25 a bag.
I searched surebond polysand to find a retailer and saw that is what I saw. Could you suggest a retailer? I live in Minnesota.
Contact Surebond for help.
You get 8 bags for $250 which turns out just over $30 per bag. It seems though you need to buy in increment of 8 bags.
No. More like $29.99
I had a brick paver patio installed about a year ago. I would like touch up some of the gaps where polymeric sand was used. Original material was sealed along with the brick pavers and is in stable condition. Can I add small amounts of new sand on top of original? I do not know brand of original poly.
For a ply to work, it needs to be a depth for 2 inches or more. Meaning you cannot just spot apply for shallow depth of say 1/2 inch.
We have existing flagstone walkways and a patio. My mother is getting too old to weed eat what comes up between them and we have not been diligent in spraying weed killer. Would we be able to use the sand now, 20 years later?
No, a poly sand will not work for wide gaps that are used for flagstone.
Can poly sweep be used in between blue stone ?
It probably will not wok with that wide of gaps.
This is incorrect, PolySweep works very well for Blue Stone patios
Yes, PolySweep works very well for Blue Stone patios
I am looking to cover an existing concrete steps and short sidewalk with 2″ thick concrete pavers. I know I should use the polymeric sand in the joints. My question is how feasible is it to do that with the pavers that are going vertical up the face of each step? I am using construction adhesive to glue down all pavers. If I can’t get the sand to stay in those vertical joints then should I just caulk it or what? I was not planning to put any sealer over the pavers.
it will not work in verticals nor do I think it will work when used over concrete and only 2″ thick pavers. No idea what can be used in replacement of it. Never worked on vertical pavers.
A mason installed a brick walkway never telling me he would fill the cracks with sand. He claimed originally he would mortar everything. I don’t want weeds. Where can I find polymeric products and a person to fix this problem?
No idea as we do not live where you are. Check online for both.
Can I use polymeric sand if water got into the bag prior to using it .. or is the product now unusable. I worked the damp product into the gaps… but not sure this was a waste of time
Unusable now.
Despite seeking a polymer sand between my natural stone walkway, installer felt a grout would be best. Now fighting the 2nd year of grout cracking and popping out. Could polymer sand be put in where the old grout popped out.
Nope, will not work.
I heard, you are never to use polymeric sand on paver joints where the pavers are installed over a concrete slab. If this is true, why is that? How do I get around this?
Not sure about that but it does make sense as moisture would never fully drain through the concrete and that could create some issues with the poly sand
Does Surebond have a product for flagstone where the gap between the stones is 3/4″ – 3″ apart? Someone told me to consider SEK Polysweep X-Treme. Any thoughts?
Sorry but never used that one or know of one that will work when it is that far apart.
Yes, Polysweep comes in an X-treme bag version that works on 4″ gaps and on flagstone. It works pretty well if installed correctly from what I hear in the field by other installers.
Does all the old sand need to be removed or will Surebond bond to it?
Between pavers? No need to remove all between pavers. It bounds to existing sand as long as it installed properly.
How wide a joint can be filled with the Surebond Polymeric Sand? I am trying to find a product to fill between slate paver stones with joints as wide as 3/4 inch.
Depends on the brand of poly. Check with them.
You are recommending Surebond polymeric sand, but it would be helpful to hear about which other brands you have compared it too, along with pros and cons for each brand. For example, I’m quite surprised you hadn’t had any experience with Techniseal, since (at least where I live), this is a commonly known brand. I have had trouble finding comparative reviews of different products, so I would appreciate if you could share details about the results you have had with specific brands that you have tried. Thank you.
We have tried and used Techniseal. Had many issues with the “poly haze” it created on top of the pavers. Had to do a vinegar wash clean to remove. Not a fan.
Would Polymeric Sand be a good product for filling in the joints between 3′ long x 4″ deep concrete slabs that are used for a concrete walkway that have very little movement?
No. Not designed for this.
Unable to buy Surebond polymeric sand in my area. I have access to Oldcastle, Techniseal or King Premasand. Your thoughts on any of these products?
Sorry but never used them so not sure if they are any good.