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I was planning to seal the joints between the pavers with polymeric sand, however I heard somewhere last minute that sealing the joints is not desirable in wet places.
We have tropical heavy rains here in Houston quite often. I started having doubts if I should apply polymeric sand or not. Those joints are not very visible and don't really bother me. At my previous property I didn't seal the joints and had no problem for two years.
I have drainage pipes underneath the pavers and two catch basins in the most important corners. Those catch basins would definitely help to drain water from the pavers surface if the joints are sealed, however maybe it is better to leave the joints open so water can permeate through.
At the same time from termite prevention perspective maybe it is better to seal everything as much as possible to keep the area under pavers dry any time.
We have tropical heavy rains here in Houston quite often
You don't say.....
Anyway, I've never heard of polymeric sand being a termite deterrent. They prefer wood, so the pavers aren't going to be an attraction for them regardless of whether you infill the joints.
But I would probably use the polymeric sand because of the rain issue. Regular sand will wash away and in a heavy rain storm the catch basins probably won't be sufficient so you want to have the rain run off as much as possible.
Anyway, I've never heard of polymeric sand being a termite deterrent. They prefer wood, so the pavers aren't going to be an attraction for them regardless of whether you infill the joints.
But I would probably use the polymeric sand because of the rain issue. Regular sand will wash away and in a heavy rain storm the catch basins probably won't be sufficient so you want to have the rain run off as much as possible.
Thanks.
Polymeric sand has nothing to do with termites directly.
But moisture underneath the pavers is not desirable from the termites perspective. Ideally it is better to keep the area as dry as possible. That area is adjacent to the house foundation.
Drainage pipes underneath the pavers partially serve this purpose by keeping water out. But not all the water.
Aesthetically I don't really need to fill the joints with anything, because the joints are not visible much. But I already have a bucket of polymeric sand.
My concern is that if I seal those joints it would become less breathable and maybe create even more moisture accumulation than without sealing the joints. When it is a flash flood, the water will find it's way underneath somehow even if the joints are sealed
Those 18" "pavers" definitely need the sand.
If you have "tropical storms" that drop several inches of water in a short period of time you're sure to have some undermining without it- and it doesn't take much to get that large of a "paver" out of level from the surrounding "pavers".
Just for clarification, polymeric sand is primarily a "locking agent" for pavers- not a "sealer".
Those 18" "pavers" definitely need the sand.
If you have "tropical storms" that drop several inches of water in a short period of time you're sure to have some undermining without it- and it doesn't take much to get that large of a "paver" out of level from the surrounding "pavers".
Just for clarification, polymeric sand is primarily a "locking agent" for pavers- not a "sealer".
Sealer will change color, darker and it wears off after a few years. But it looks to covered area so probably last much longer. I don't think you need it on pavers. Is it commonly done on pavers? BTW, looks good.
The trouble with regular Sand is that weeds grow through them.
I've never had that happen.
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