What is Poly Sand Haze?

I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior paver restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in sealing and protecting. For info about who I am, please read my full bio here.

What is Poly Sand Haze and How to Remove

I am dedicated to being your source for the latest tips and trends for your concrete and brick paver sealers through 2024 and beyond. Poly sand haze is a common occurrence with brick pavers. In this updated article, we explain how to avoid it. Please comment below if you have encountered poly sand haze and have any suggestions or questions.

Poly Sand White Haze

How I Fix Poly Sand Haze

To understand poly sand haze, let’s first look at how pavers are installed. Most pavers, whether for a driveway, sidewalk, patio, or pool deck area, are laid on a compacted bed of sand. The bricks are laid out in whatever pattern you desire and leveled to create an entire paver structure. Sand is poured onto the paver surface and swept into the gaps between the pavers. This is typically fine polymeric sand, specially designed for paver construction.

The polymeric sand joints are then misted with water. The water reacts with the poly sand and creates a binding agent that helps bind the sand particles together. However, before water is misted onto the surface, the poly sand dust left over must be removed entirely. If the poly sand dust is not removed, it will create a white haze on top of the pavers. This is called poly sand haze.

My Poly Sand Haze Tips

The binding agent generated by mixing water and poly sand is left behind on the bricks, causing the poly sand haze phenomenon. If poly sand haze has transpired on the surface, it must be cleaned with an acid-based cleaner. Sometimes, vinegar can be used unless the poly sand haze is severe.

Many times, homeowners and even contractors are unaware of poly sand haze. The joints are watered without first removing the poly dust from the surface, which in turn creates a haze. Worse yet, a sealer may be applied to the pavers and will actually lock in the poly sand haze. After sealing the pavers, the poly sand haze is still visible, and often, the sealer innocently gets blamed for its unsightly, hazy appearance.

It is common to think the sealer is at fault, but typically, the sealer is not to blame; it is simply a case of poly sand haze. If paver sealer has been applied over pavers with poly sand haze, the sealer must be stripped off, the poly haze removed with a cleaner, and the pavers resealed.

Now that you know the answer to “what is poly sand haze?” you can avoid this issue. Remove the leftover poly dust prior to misting water on the joints to completely avoid the poly sand haze problem.

Poly Sand Haze Questions? Please Ask Below.

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Concrete Since 1993 Owner

As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993, he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash, specializing in exterior pressure washing and concrete/brick paver sealing. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter, concentrating more on exterior wood and concrete/paver restoration. Scott and his Pressure Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 projects in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the concrete and brick pavers restoration industry and has contributed to numerous forums and informative sites. All the products he suggests through this site are sold online and in retail stores, allowing consumers to choose their means of purchase. Scott’s eCommerce sites sell many of the top brands he endorses, and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered, feel free to purchase from one of them.

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Concrete Restoration and Maintenance Concrete Coatings