The Weakest Link in Your Driveway: The Joints
Most paver failures start in the joints. Traditional "sweeping sand" is easily washed away by rain and blown out by wind. Once that sand is gone, it leaves an open door for:
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🐜 Ant Colonies: Ants tunnel under the pavers, removing the base material and causing bricks to sink and rock.
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🌿 Weeds & Moss: Organic debris fills the empty gaps, creating a perfect planter box for deep-rooted weeds.
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🧱 Shifting & Spreading: Without full joints, there is no friction holding the pavers together. They begin to spread apart, creating large, unsightly gaps and safety hazards.
Pro Tip
Hardened sand stops burrowing insects. Stabilizing the joints creates a solid barrier that prevents ants from nesting and stops weeds from taking root.
The Solution: High-Performance Polymeric Sand
At Chicagoland Paver Sealing, we don't use regular sand. We install commercial-grade Polymeric Sand. Think of it as "flexible grout" for the outdoors. It is a mixture of graded sand and specialized binding agents. When activated with water, it hardens to a firm, durable bond that locks the pavers together while remaining flexible enough to withstand Chicago’s freeze-thaw cycles without cracking.
Our Installation Process Matters
You cannot simply sprinkle new sand over old, dirty sand. That is a recipe for failure.
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Extraction: During our deep cleaning process, we blast out the old, contaminated sand and organic debris.
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Installation: We sweep the new polymeric sand deep into the crevices, and when necessary, vibrate it down to ensure there are no air pockets.
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Activation: We use a precise misting technique to activate the polymers, turning the sand into a hardened barrier.
Benefits of Joint Stabilization
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Inhibits Weed Growth: Creates a hardened surface that makes it extremely difficult for weeds to take root.
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Deters Insects: It is too hard for ants to tunnel through.
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Prevents Washout: It won't wash onto your patio surface during heavy rainstorms.
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Structural Integrity: It ties all the individual pavers together into one cohesive, load-bearing system.
Customize Your Look
We offer high-quality polymeric sand in standard colors to complement your pavers:
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Beige & Ivory: Best for earth tones, browns, and warm-colored pavers.
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Slate Grey & Black Diamond: Best for slate, bluestone and cool-colored pavers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sanding
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Will this stop weeds 100% forever?
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It drastically reduces them, but no outdoor product is 100% maintenance-free forever. The hard sand prevents weeds from growing up from the soil. However, surface weeds can still grow if dirt settles on top of the sand. These are shallow and easily swept away.
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Why is the old sand washing out?
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If your original installer used regular masonry sand, it has no binding agents. Rain and wind naturally erode it over time.
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Can you just add sand without sealing?
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We can, but we recommend sealing. The sealer acts as a "shield" over the sand, protecting the polymers from UV degradation and extending the life of the joint.
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You can find more answers to your questions by visiting our FAQ Page.