Final Step for the Patio - Sand and Sand Some More

Final Step for the Patio - Sand and Sand Some More

Once you have the patio layout all complete with whatever design you chose to do, it's time to lock it all in place with some sand.

You can choose to use regular sand or you can go with polymeric sand, which hardens like concrete once it sets in place. I went with regular sand, which may be helpful if I ever need to replace a paver stone for whatever reason.

I hope I never have to replace a stone though, because everything is in place really tight and it won't be easy to budge just one stone.

Ok, so back to the point of this post. Finishing your patio with sand between the spaces of the pavers.

Start with a few shovels full of sand on the top of the patio and take a heavy bristled broom and sweep it around the patio getting it into all the gaps between the pavers.

Once you have it all swept it and it looks good, take a garden hose and water it down. This will settle the sand into the joints and it will look like all that hard work you did, sweeping sand into the joints, just disappeared.

Let the patio dry off for a few minutes. It doesn't need to be completely dry, just no standing water, let it seep in. Then throw some more sand on, sweep it in and repeat.

You will probably have to repeat this process 6 or 7 times before all of the cracks are filled even after you spray water. Each time you do it you will have fewer and fewer gaps to re-fill so it at least feels like you're making progress.

Now you can sit back and let the ants enjoy your patio. If ants decide that your patio is a nice place to dig holes, you may have to get some insect spray. You might also need to get weed killer because weeds like to pop up anywhere and everywhere, so get a jump start on them while you can.

I'll write a post later about all of the cuts on the patio too, because everyone knows, you can't get away with building a patio without having to cut some of the pavers. I may even start a series on having the right tools. Cutting paver stones and having the right tools may be a good one to start with.