Polymeric Sand for Pavers

We will finish with an overview of proper installation including a new video showing each of the  steps.

Pavermate Z3 can be used in the following applications. Paver joints up to two inches, concrete and clay pavers, driveway and walkways, pool decks and patios, pavers with false joints, traditional and concrete overlay applications. It is available in four colors from granite, tan to black and ivory.

Pavermate Z3 offers zero haze clear polymer technology. Once the polymers are activated by water, they turn into a clear gel that when dried provides unmatched strength and flexibility while visually remaining clear.

Interesting fact: Many companies like to advertise their polymeric sand does not contain Portland cement. Portland cement was used primarily to change the pH of the sand, allowing polymers to cure hard yet remain flexible.

Unfortunately, it also had a tendency to haze the paver surface. While most companies have moved away from Portland and their blends, they have not moved very far. Instead they went to fly ash or crushed limestone. When these products are mixed with a binding agent like polymers, they have the same tendency to create haze on the surface of the pavers.Not Pavermate Z3. Understanding the purpose of certain ingredients is critical to a successful product. We still need to alter the pH of our sand but we provide an entirely new technology, keeping the surface of your projects clean and clear.

Zero dust. Every ingredient added to our blend is the highest quality available. That starts with the sand itself. Each of our sands are washed, dried and screened, providing the cleanest, most consistent quality of sand available on the market today.

In addition to using the cleanest sand, SRW products uses a proprietary technology that lightly bonds the admix to the sand, providing zero dust during each step of the process.

Any polymers that could be kicked up during compacting or blowing quickly drop back to the ground preventing dust clouds. In addition, this technology reduces the polymer from separating from the sand during installation.

Zero problems, it’s more than just a tagline. It’s having been or believed from the start that Pavermate Z3 sand provides consistent, reliable results each and every time.

Rain safe in 10 minutes. That’s exactly how our sand performs. A lot happens within 10 minutes of wetting the project, starting with full absorption of water within the first 2 minutes to the polymers gelling together the sand to the sides of each paver.

Finishing off with a chemical reaction that sets the sand, preventing it from washing out.

Not only does a chemical reaction provide early strength and protection from unexpected rain. It also assures us that if a rain event does occur, the admix will not weaken or wash out.

Final note. For the sand to properly cure, it will need to dry out completely.

SRW’s Pavermate Z3 packaging has also been improved. Heavy-duty full-colored bags offering English and Spanish instructions along with process photos to make the job easier. The top and bottom of each bag are folded while an additional piece of film is placed over all seams and heat-welded together, providing the best protection from moisture intrusion.

The front and back of each bag are embossed to provide superior anti-slip prevention while transporting. A vent channel is added to the back of each bag that’s used while filling. It prevents water from entering the bag once it is placed on a pallet.

Before the bags are placed on the pallet, it is first covered with a plastic vapor barrier in addition to an anti-slip sheet for stability. Once the bags are stacked on the pallet, it is covered with a heavy-duty six-mill plastic covering the entire pallet.

Each one is finished off with a double wrap of stretch film, making each unopened pallet suitable for outside storage.

Comparing Pavermate Z3 and a leading competitor’s product. While the competitive polymeric sand manufacturers provide quality materials, SRW’s Pavermate Z3 has set the bar well above the competition.

When looking at the Pavermate Z3 in a side-by-side comparison a number of differences quickly are apparent. SRW suggests a traditional installation where the competing brand provides shortcuts that increase the chance of problems.

It starts with compacting by leaving the sand over the top of the pavers to eliminating the process of blowing the project before activation. These shortcuts significantly increase the chance of hazing.

Remember, they’re still using Portland, fly ash or crushed limestone as an ingredient. The sand's installation and activation is one of the last processes done on a job. It is not the time to take shortcuts.

Pavermate Z3 offers reactive polymer technology that locks the polymers within 10 minutes of activation. The competing brand offers traditional polymers that do not provide that level of protection you see from Pavermate Z3.

Pavermate Z3’s reactive technology does not swell or shrink through activation or once it’s cured. The competing brand has potential for significant swell during activation due to the type of polymers they use.

Situations where swelling is seen, these areas do not settle in. They remain elevated. In turn, once their product does cure out, it tends to shrink and potentially pull away from the edges of the project.

Not all polymers are created equal. Pavermate Z3 has controlled water absorption into the joints, allowing the installer a reasonable timeframe in which to activate each area.

The competition uses polymers that quickly swell which makes it necessary to work in smaller areas while still leaving the real possibility that water has not been able to migrate through the entire joint. Issues come up where the joint surface skims over and the sand below is still left unbound. These issues are still seen today.

SRW Products recommends a traditional installation method to help ensure projects are done right each and every time.

Shortcuts take in unpolymeric sand. Installs can be very time-consuming and costly if done wrong. We will briefly go through our instructions and then watch a video, which is available online.

Z3 installation instructions. Best application techniques. Always tumble the bags. Spread the sand. Avoid pushing across long distances. Sweep excess sand prior to compaction. Protect the paver surface with a rubber or plastic plate or woven fabric. Compact the paver surface. The second pass should be perpendicular to the first.

Sweep additional sand to set the joint height and clean the surface, sweeping and also using a leaf blower prior to activation.

Best activation techniques: Work in areas with a maximum of 200 square feet. Start by lightly misting the area. Misting is done to create surface tension on the joints to avoid blowing sand over the pavers with the next two steps.

Step three, using a shower setting, wet the entire surface. Step four, repeat the previous step. Wetting the surface, standing water may be present. Let’s soak into the joints. Step five, test the joints for proper penetration. Repeat steps three and four if necessary and blow off any standing water once the joints are properly activated. A 200-square-foot area should only take 2 minutes to properly activate.

Install pavers using manufacturer’s guidelines for bedding, leveling and installation. Use SRW Paver Rail edging for perimeter reinforcement. After install, fully clean debris from the surface of the pavers.

Next, compact pavers using a rubber-plated compactor or cover the pavers with SS5 fabric to protect the paver surface from damage.Note, pavers must be completely dry before installation of polymeric sand. Wait 24 hours after rain and ensure the temperature stays above 32 degrees Fahrenheit through the installation and curing process.Application:Gently tumble the bag before cutting and evenly spread the Pavermate Z3 over the paver surface. Using a broom, gently sweep the sand into the joints until they’re completely filled to the full depth of the pavers. Avoid pushing sand over long distances as this could separate the polymers from the sand.Sweep off excess sand from the paver surface. Then using a rubber-plated compactor or SS5 fabric laid over the pavers, gently compact the filled joints. After compaction, if your sand is below one quarter of an inch from the top of the pavers, reapply sand and compact until the sand is at least at a quarter of an inch below the surface.

Finish the joints by adding Pavermate Z3 to the joints. Sweep off the excess sand and using a leaf blower on the low setting, set the joint type to an eighth of an inch below the paver surface.

Activation:Working in 200-square-foot sections or less, gently mist the area using a hose with a sprayer attachment.

Change your sprayer to a shower setting and then perform another watering application.

Finally apply a third showering to the surface of the pavers.

Using a screwdriver, test for proper moisture depth of one to one and a half inches. If this depth is not achieved, repeat the shower setting.

Immediately blow off excess water from the paver surface using a leaf blower.

Curing:A dry environment is important to allow proper setup of joints. A flexible joint is a sign that it is not yet fully cured. Polymers will continue to cure for 28 days.

There are situations in which we cannot control and others where steps may get missed that lead to sand activating on the surface of the pavers. They’re disappointing. But using SRW’s Pavermate Z3 will make these situations easier to repair and very straightforward.

If you should find yourself in a situation where residue is left on the surface of the paver, let the joints cure out for 28 days and then simply use a heated pressure washer to remove any residue from the surface of the pavers.

No chemicals are needed. You do not need to blow up the joints and start over. Start well above the patio and bring the nozzle down until you see the residue come right off.