Cleaning Patio Pavers and Re-Sanding Joints

Why Paver Joints Fail in Jacksonville

If the sand between your patio pavers has washed away, you've probably noticed the consequences: weeds sprouting in the gaps, ants building colonies in the joints, pavers shifting and becoming uneven, and water pooling where it shouldn't.

In Jacksonville, our torrential summer thunderstorms can dump 2-3 inches of rain in an hour — more than enough to blast regular joint sand out of paver seams. At Clean Fix Jax, paver cleaning and re-sanding is a routine part of our exterior cleaning service, and it's one of the most impactful improvements you can make to your outdoor living space.

Understanding Joint Sand

Regular Masonry Sand

The cheapest option at $5-8 per bag, but also the least durable in our climate. Regular sand has no binding agent — it's held in place only by friction between the paver edges and the sand itself. A single heavy rain event can wash out significant portions of regular sand from patio joints, especially on sloped surfaces.

We don't recommend regular sand for any Jacksonville paver installation because the maintenance cycle is too frequent.

Polymeric Sand

The recommended choice for Jacksonville pavers. Polymeric sand contains fine sand mixed with polymer additives and a bonding agent. When activated with water, the polymers cure and create a semi-solid joint that resists washout, weed growth, and ant intrusion.

Polymeric sand costs $20-35 per bag but lasts 3-5 years before needing replacement — compared to 3-6 months for regular sand in our climate. The key is proper installation: the joints must be completely clean and dry before application, and the sand must be activated with the correct amount of water.

The Complete Paver Cleaning and Re-Sanding Process

Step 1: Pressure Washing

Clean the paver surface with moderate pressure (2,000-2,500 PSI) using a surface cleaner. Pre-treat any stains — algae and mildew with a sodium hypochlorite solution, oil with a concrete degreaser, rust with an oxalic acid remover.

The goal is to remove all surface contamination and, critically, to blast out all the old joint sand. You must remove 100% of the old sand before installing new polymeric sand — any remaining material prevents the new sand from bonding properly.

Step 2: Cleaning the Joints

After surface cleaning, use a pressure washer wand at an angle to flush out all remaining sand from the joints. The joints should be clean to a depth of at least 1 inch — ideally 1.5 inches for polymeric sand to perform properly.

Use a flat screwdriver or joint tool to check depth in several locations. Incomplete joint cleaning is the number one cause of polymeric sand failure.

Step 3: Drying

Allow the pavers and joints to dry completely — this is critical in Jacksonville's humidity. The surface and joints must be bone-dry before applying polymeric sand, or the polymers will activate prematurely and create a mess. Allow 24-48 hours of dry weather. If any rain falls during the drying period, you'll need to start the drying clock over.

Step 4: Applying Polymeric Sand

• Pour the sand onto the paver surface and sweep it into the joints using a push broom. Work in small sections of 50-100 square feet
• Vibrate the sand into the joints using a plate compactor with a rubber mat (to prevent paver damage) or by tapping with a rubber mallet. This ensures the sand fills the joint completely to the bottom
• Add more sand after compaction — the vibration settles sand deeper, creating voids at the top that need filling
• Sweep off ALL excess sand from the paver surface before activation. Any sand left on the surface will bond to the pavers when activated, creating a permanent haze

Step 5: Activating the Sand

Using a fine mist spray (never a direct stream), gently wet the sand in the joints. Apply enough water to saturate the sand but not so much that it washes out of the joints. The water activates the polymer bonding agent.

Most polymeric sands require 2-3 misting cycles over 30 minutes. After activation, keep foot traffic off for 24 hours and vehicle traffic off for 48 hours.

Common Polymeric Sand Mistakes

• Applying to damp pavers: Premature activation causes sand to harden on the surface, creating an unsightly haze
• Incomplete joint cleaning: Old sand prevents new sand from bonding, leading to premature washout
• Leaving surface residue: Sand dust left on pavers bonds when activated, creating a white haze that's extremely difficult to remove
• Over-watering during activation: A strong stream washes the sand and polymers out of the joints
• Applying before rain: Heavy rain within 24 hours of activation can wash out uncured sand

Protecting Your Paver Investment

After cleaning and re-sanding, consider applying a paver sealer. Sealer protects against staining, reduces UV fading, and helps hold the polymeric sand in place by creating a protective film over the joint surface.

Penetrating sealers are preferred in Jacksonville because they allow the pavers to breathe and don't trap moisture. Sealing costs $0.75-2.00 per square foot and should be reapplied every 2-3 years.

At Clean Fix Jax, we offer complete paver cleaning, re-sanding, and sealing services. We serve Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Northeast Florida. Contact us for a free estimate.

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