[Yardslave]

I am at the compaction stage in the installation process of my patio and I'm using Alliance polymeric joint sand. My question is this: The manufacturer states that the proper installation of the polymeric paver joint sand is as follows:

"1. Install pavers and compact.
2. Make sure the top of the pavers are dry. Sweep Polymer Sand in between the paver joints and then compact. "

In step 1, should I just compact the pavers alone without putting any sand on the surface to cushion the pavers. I am planning to use a sheet of luan on the pavers when using the compactor to help distribute the force and keep the pavers even. Is there a risk of the pavers moving out of place with nothing between the joints? I'm getting a little nervous because this is the last step and I don't want to ruin the job unwittingly because I didn't know some detail. This my first paver job (about 600 sq. ft.) and I don't want to screw it up during the final stage. Any information would be most welcome and appreciated.

Thanks.

[davemac]

I usually spread a layer of sand over the pavers, run the tamper over the pavers and then sweep sand into the gaps.

[Greensmith]

The more polysand you work into the joint the stronger the bond will be. Really make sure the surface is dry, the stuff is a pain in the arse if it gets even dew on it.

[Stonehenge]

Make sure edge restraint is installed.

Sweep in poly sand.

Using something as a buffer between the compactor and the pavers is to protect the surface of the pavers, not distribute the load - distributing the load isn't necessary. Protecting most pavers from scuffing is. Some have used chunks of carpet or sheets of plywood (like your luan). We use a urethane pad.

Compact.

Re-sweep.

Compact.

Re-sweep.

Wet.

Wait 10 minutes.

Wet again.

[lasting impress]

Before you spread any sand on your pavers, make sure your surface is flat, no bumps or low spots, cause once you put the sand in, the pavers are a bitch to get out. (especially if the sand has been wet and dried)

I run my packer over the pavers with no protection and have never marked the pavers.

[EpicInterlock]

Me either.....I've never marked the pavers. Just make sure the paver surface is swept clean first, and the bottom of the compactor is clean as well. Common sense of course.

[Stonehenge]

Sometimes problems arise if the mfg makes pavers that vary in height by +/- 1/8" - this gives a patio ample opportunity to have spots where an edge will get rubbed hard by the plate, making a scratch. Lucky you if you don't have any mfg's like that.

Also, some compactors have these hidden spots where a rock seems to pop out of the compactor from nowhere just as you're turning over it.

So we use a pad. Why not use some cheap insurance on your projects?

[HRLand]

If you use pavers with an undulated surface, like most of techo-bloc's line, you will scuff them.

[dan deutekom]

I have never had a problem with marking pavers while packing but that may be due to the fact that in the old days B4 polysand we used to spray water in front of the packer as a cushion and now there is always a thin layer of polysand when packing pavers.

[lasting impress]

We use mostly a company called TransPave.(they use granite in their pavers). 75% of the time, the pavers we use (Semita Modular) have the bumpy surface such as you would find on many of Techo's products. We havent had an issue, but I always say to do what you feel most comfortable doing.

[scaper27]

Using a pad with the compactor is best. i have heard stories of guys using things such as a tarp as a pad. The compactor embeded the tarp into the stone and it never looked right again.

But compact before sand, the sweep sand in, the compact again and one more time sanding should do it.

Just make sure that it it swept off or blown off good before you wet it, because that stuff could leave a coating that would be very hard to get off the tops of the pavers. Other the that, Its a pretty easy process.

[lasting impress]

I did a little research, and Teckoblok does recommend in their brochure, that you use some type of pad when compacting over their pavers. Permacon, TransPave, Oaks, and Navastone have nothing recommending use of anything. Maybe that is why I have never had a problem?

[chrissygardensc]

We usually apply the jointing sand first before compacting. After compacting, we blow off the remaining sand. Then we sprinkle with very little water. Once the sand was all over it when it dried by using too much water!!! What a mess.. I still wonder if it is sticking on it yet to this day!!!