[nurse47557]

Okay I used a 4" gravel base with 2" of sand...worked the sand well as all the books say. Put the brick pavers in hit them with the black rubber hammer then run the machine over it after putting the sand in between the joints which are about maybe at the most 1/2 at the most...I have lightly watered the brick down 3 times and the sand wont dry...what am I doing wrong should I let the sand dry more should I just stay off it for for a length of time any ideas appreciated

[Bill Schwab]

First, any more than an inch of sand screed and you will have problems. Let the joining sand dry a few days and then sweep it off.

[Stonehenge]

I don't like using any sand at all. And contrary to the books (and the Home Depot TV ads), if you're using a rubber mallet to set every paver, you are setting yourself up for having each of your pavers seated differently in your base, and making it harder to get the next paver edge to meet flush with the previous.

As for you current situation - do you have clay soils? If so, the water you're spraying down may not have anywhere to go.

Also, is this a shady location? Humidity and other weather conditions may also play a role.

Staying off for now is a good idea, but you'll want to figure out a long term solution for this, because you won't want to have to stay off the pavers after each period of rain.