Block Paving Sand Coming Out of Joints in Rain

[steveoelliott]

Hi,

 

Just over a year ago, we had our drive jet washed and sanded... Ever since every time it rains heavily we end up with some of the sand coming out of the joints and it winds up all over the stones / drive. I've been told we should have sealed the drive to prevent this but I'm plenty don't have their driveways sealed.

 

After this happens, once dry, I normally sweep the sand back in and add a top up of kiln dried sand if necessary, filling the joints until they are level. However, when it next rains the same thing happens. Obviously the last few days have been rather wet so this has happened once again.

 

Am I doing something wrong here? Should the joints be filled level? I wonder if I might be adding "too much" sand and perhaps should allow the joints to be filled a few mm below the blocks.

 

Thanks in advance...

[Temp]

I think it's just a normal/common issue. Apparently sealer does help glue the sand together. I've also read of people brushing in a kiln dried sand with some cement added to make a weak mix but think this can stain the blocks.

 

 

 

[joe90]

35 minutes ago, Temp said:

I think it's just a normal/common issue. Apparently sealer does help glue the sand together. I've also read of people brushing in a kiln dried sand with some cement added to make a weak mix but think this can stain the blocks.

 

 

 

+1, if you brush a weak sand cement mixture in when the gaps are wet but the face of the blocks are dry staining should not be an issue, it’s what I would do.

[steveoelliott]

38 minutes ago, joe90 said:

+1, if you brush a weak sand cement mixture in when the gaps are wet but the face of the blocks are dry staining should not be an issue, it’s what I would do.

Thank you...

 

Given that mine are already full of existing sand, should I just use cement on the top of that or still make a mix? Also at roughly what ratio? I'd test on a small area first where say my bin store is

[Dave Jones]

you could pressure wash it to remove as much sand as possible then replace with jointing compound, much better than sand/cement.

 

https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/product/building-materials/building-chemicals/jointing-compounds/c/1529003/

 

[joe90]

23 minutes ago, Dave Jones said:

you could pressure wash it to remove as much sand as possible

Dave beat me to it, not used jointing compound but it’s made fir the job I guess.