Joint sand is a structural and visual part of a paver system. If the joints are empty, contaminated, overfilled or inconsistent, sealer application becomes harder to control and the finished project may not perform as expected.
Remove material that should not remain
Pressure washing should remove loose debris, organic growth, weeds and deteriorated or contaminated joint sand. Existing material that cannot accept new sand or sealer uniformly should not be covered and ignored.
Use the specified sand
Seal ’n Lock training specifies 20/30 joint sand for the applicable process. Consistent gradation helps the material enter the joints and supports repeatable stabilization.
Set the correct joint depth
Finish the joint sand approximately 1/8 inch below the paver chamfer. Overfilled joints can leave sand across the paver face and produce an untidy finish. Underfilled joints reduce the amount of material available for stabilization.
Wet sanding and dry sanding
Sand may be installed on wet or dry pavers depending on the approved application method. Dry sanding requires a sufficiently dry surface so sand can move freely into the joints instead of sticking to the paver face. Wet sanding requires control of water and sand movement so joints finish at the correct depth.
Inspect before the flood coat
- Confirm joints are filled consistently.
- Remove sand from the paver faces.
- Correct low or bridged joints.
- Check drains, edges and expansion areas.
- Verify the surface meets moisture and temperature requirements.
The flood coat must reach the joints
The first sealer application should focus on penetrating the joint-sand profile and adjacent paver surface according to the selected Seal ’n Lock system. Controlled application is essential: the goal is to stabilize the prepared joint, not to leave uncontrolled puddles or excessive surface film.
Correct sand preparation makes the workflow easier, faster, cleaner and more reliable—and gives the finish coats a consistent foundation.
Next step: Review the complete Seal ’n Lock preparation and application process before beginning a sanding and sealing project.
