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Secure, water-permeable and not susceptible to weeds - these requirements are met by a pavement if the joints are filled with sand. Our instructions explain how grouting with joint sand works and what you should pay attention to.

In a nutshell

  • Joint sand is a popular product to keep pavement joints, e.g. on terraces or garden paths, free of weeds
  • by using water, the sand can be sluiced into the gaps
  • is suitable wherever sweeping and mechanical compaction are not possible
  • Warning: too much water on a slope or too much pressure washes sand out of the joints

What is joint sand?

Before the actual instructions, we will clarify which type of sand is particularly suitable for filling the joints of your paving. Joint sand should have the following properties:

  • good compressibility
  • water permeability
  • good interlocking to prevent it from being washed out or shaken (e.g. by driving on it)

Lime or crushed sand, which is irregular and sharp-edged as a result of the crushing process, is therefore ideally suited.

Joint sand on plaster

Notice: Round-grain sand, i.e. sand from natural sources in particular, is also very suitable for compaction and drainage. However, the interlocking and thus the durability is significantly lower here, since corners and edges for a secure bond of the grains are largely missing.

What does slurp mean?

A sludge is generally a mixture of water and small solids. The water serves as a transport medium to transport the solids to the desired location. When it comes to sealing the joints of paving, it is actually sand that is carried into the paving joints by means of water. In contrast to other slurry processes, the flushing and suction effect of the water has another effect: compaction. The individual grains of sand are wedged into one another and thus form a stable bond that also withstands the usual loads from general use of the paved surface.

Notice: Technical sludges are mainly known from organic wall or floor coatings, e.g. lime sludges.

Where is muddling suitable?

The method of transporting joint sand between the stones of the covering and compacting it there with water has a number of significant advantages:

  • no mechanical stress on the surface from brooms or similar
  • no requirement for evenness of the surface
  • also suitable for small gaps
  • very well suited for "disruptions" of the surface caused by built-in components, rising components or ledges
  • in areas where mechanical compaction using a vibrating plate is not possible (confined space, sensitive objects / components adjacent etc.)

Tip: A mixture of sweeping and slurrying the joint sand has proven to be the most effective measure.

Slurry in joint sand: instructions

  • Distribute a thin layer of sand (max. 0.5 centimetres) evenly over the covering
  • Moisten and soak the surface evenly with a spray jet until sand is washed into the joints
  • Wash sand left on stones with a focused jet in the direction of the joints
  • Finally, water the surface intensively several times to compact it
  • drain water
  • repeat the process if necessary
  • After filling the joints, allow the remaining sand to dry and brush off

Attention: Limit the use of water to what is absolutely necessary. The more the surface is inclined, the less water is sufficient to wash away the sand over the joints.

frequently asked Questions

What is polymer joint sand?

When it comes to the subject of sanding joints, polymer sand comes up again and again. This is a mixture of sand and a special binder based on polymer (plastic). This achieves a permanent joint closure, whereby the result has little to do with real sand joints.

Why shouldn't joint sand be applied too thickly when grouting?

If you put too much sand on your paving, the water used will wash away a large part of it before it can get into the joints. Instead, work in several steps with only a small amount of sand at a time to reduce the loss of unused material.

Is joint splitting a sensible alternative?

Instead of sand, very fine grit can also be used as joint material. Ultimately, split corresponds to crushed sand with the same grain size, since both materials have polygonal and sharp-edged grains. In most cases, however, joint split means a coarser material compared to sand, which can be compacted better, but can only be used sensibly with wider joints.

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Category:

Garden design