[visken]

We had flagstone put down around a water feature. They were going to use polymer sand, but the black color was on B/O. They put down small lava rock. I have pine needles and those pine tree "worms" falling every where! It is impossible to rake, or blowthem out. Should I remove the gravel, and put down some quickcrete and place them in by hand? Should I just have them come back and remove the rock, and put the polymer sand in? They have not sealed the flagstone yet. Should they seal the stone before they put in the sand in? Help!

[fakie99]

we use either decomposed granite, slag sand or polymeric sand. whatever is used, it should not be coarse enough that it "collects" stuff like pine needles. the material used to fill the joints should be smooth enough and close enough to the level of the stone, that it sweeps or blows off easily.

as for sealing, the only benefit that would provide would be to enhance the color of the stone.

[Lanelle]

If I remember correctly, it is not recommended to use a sealer on polymeric sand. So it becomes an either/or situation of which product is more useful for the situation.
We have been using polysand with flagstone and it makes a nice finish.