Weeds free patio and importance of polymeric sand
How Polymeric Sand Helps Keep Interlocking Stone Weed-Free
Using polymeric sand can help keep your driveway and patio weed-free. When the gaps between interlocking stones are topped up with polymeric sand, there’s no room for dirt to get in between the stones. This keeps weeds from growing up.
However, polymeric sand does not hold the stones together as many people think. Polymeric sand is a filler that’s used to fill the gaps between the stones. This filling keeps dirt from entering and thereby controlling the growth of weed.
What is Polymeric Sand?
Polymeric sand is vastly different from the sand on a beach or in your backyard sandbox. What makes it stand out is its ability to adhere to itself far better than regular sand. And that’s an important distinction when you want to protect your hardscape or patio from the elements.
Polymeric sand is made by combining fine sand with additives. When exposed to water, it turns into a binding agent. When dry, polymeric turns hard like a rock and when wet, it becomes soft and sticky.
In winter, the stones tend to move with frost contraction and expansion. That’s where polymeric sand comes into the picture. It moves with the stone ensuring there’s no gap left between the stones for dirt and weeds to enter.
Benefits of Polymeric Sand
- Low maintenance - Polymeric sand does not require any maintenance or upkeep. Simply top up the gaps with polymeric sand and it will work its magic to keep your patio or pathway weed-free.
- Improves durability of your driveway - Using polymeric sand will help improve the stability, life and resilience of your driveway or patio.
- It's a weed deterrent – Irksome grass weeds, moss, grass and dandelions won't have a chance to take root in polymeric sand. By keeping weeds away, it helps ensure your pavement or patio looks as stunning as always.
- Polymeric sand keeps insects away - That's right. Polymeric sand keeps ants and other pests away. These little pests cannot find their way into polymeric sand, keeping your pathway clean and pest-free.
Tips for Keeping Your Driveway/Patio Weed Free
- Carry out annual inspections - When it rains or when the driveway gets a thorough wash, some of the polymeric sand may wash out. That's why we highly recommend a yearly inspection and top-up if needed. We highly recommend having your patio or driveway inspected every spring for a top-up.
- Power-wash – Annual power washing is an excellent way to keep your driveway clean and weed-free. Here at GTA Landscaping, we provide power-washing and sand top-up service. With crews across Toronto, Vaughan, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Markham and all of GTA, we can provide a quick, professional service anytime you need.
- Keep your patio and driveway clean – This is the most important step in ensuring a weed-free driveway or patio. Even rinsing the interlocking stones using a hose can go a long way in ensuring a weed-free patio.
How to Top Up the Gaps with Polymeric Sand?
- Step 1: Spread dry sand around the target area with a push broom. (make sure the surface are is dry so the sand will not stick)
- Step 2: Once all the gaps are filled with polymeric sand, sweep the excess sand.
- Step 3: Wet the surface using fine mist.
- Step 4: Wait for 5 to 10 minutes and wash off all the residue and excess sand with a hose. Use soft pressure to ensure the sand does not wash away. Let dry and enjoy a beautiful landscape.