Are you noticing your patio or walkway is starting to look a little shabby? If either one was installed a few years ago, it’s only natural that they’ve worn down a little bit. You might need to replace a couple of pavers, but in most cases, all you’ll need is a fresh fill of polymeric sand to fill in the blemishes. Here’s what you need to consider with those repairs.

● Weeds: Weeds can tear up any patio or walkway that gets in its path. Before removing the old sand, apply a herbicide, and let it sit for a few days. The new polymeric sand will help keep other weeds for getting through.

● Applying the sand. Adding the new sand to the pavers does take some attention to detail. Pour a generous amount of sand onto the pavers and sweep it into each one of the joints. Use a blunt object like the broom handle to tap the sand into place between the pavers. Sweep more sand over the pavers until it’s about 1/8 inch from the top. Make sure all of the extra sand has been swept away before adding the water; otherwise, the pavers will get permanently stained.

● Watering: Watering is crucial to the entire process. It’s what will help bind the polymeric sand so it can handle day-to-day traffic. Be careful not to add so much water to make the polymers float out of the sand. A white milky substance will form, ultimately staining the pavers. Spray for a few seconds at a time. You’ll be able to stop when the water doesn’t soak into the sand anymore. This has to be done in one session to harden properly. 

● Apply a sealer: Sealers aren’t necessary, but they will act as one more layer of protection for the pavers themselves and the new layer of polymeric sand.