Final Compaction and Joint Filling
At 0:27 in
a big ol patio
What happens here
Once all pavers are laid and the edge restraints are securely installed, use a plate compactor to vibrate the pavers firmly into the bedding sand. This crucial step helps to seat the pavers evenly, eliminate minor irregularities, and create a uniformly flat surface. After this initial compaction, spread polymeric sand (or other chosen jointing sand) evenly over the entire paved area. Use a stiff push broom to sweep the sand into all the joints until they are completely filled. Ensure the surface is dry before applying polymeric sand. Perform a final light compaction pass over the paved area to settle the jointing sand deeply into the gaps. Lastly, if using polymeric sand, lightly mist the entire surface with water using a garden hose with a fine spray nozzle, following the polymeric sand manufacturer's instructions, to activate the binding agents. Be careful not to over-water, as this can cause hazing or uneven curing.
Goal: Lock pavers in place and create durable, sand-filled joints
Tools and materials
- Fine Spray Nozzle — Ensuring a gentle and controlled application of water to activate the polymeric sand
- Garden Hose — Lightly misting the polymeric sand to activate its binding agents
- Plate Compactor — Seating the pavers firmly into the bedding sand and settling the jointing sand into the gaps
- Push Broom — Sweeping the polymeric sand into all the paver joints
- Polymeric Sand — Filling paver joints to lock them in place, prevent weed growth, and reduce erosion
- Water Unspecified — Activating the binding agents in the polymeric sand