Seeking compaction and polymer sand advice - Should you sand first or compact?

[sciguy]

My wife and I have nearly completed the cutting in of ~ 1500sf (50sm) of concrete pavers. The area paved is L shaped and includes 6 different circles and a variety of intersections and other artistic effects. (thank the wife)

Joints between pavers range from micro to ~ 5/8 of an inch between the extremities of some of the large pavers laid radially in the circles and on curves of the edging.

We have received two differing types of advice in regards to polymer sand application. (Techniseal HP) and wonder what the professionals do.

Advice #1- compact the pavers then sweep sand into joints and go through the water application process.

Advice #2- Sweep sand into the joint then compact and repeat if the sand retreats during compaction.

We would be very interested to hear the pros and cons for the two methods. Obviously the second might use quite a bit more sand. (Techniseal isn't cheap) But perhaps it might prove more effective in the long run.

Thanks for any informed replies,

Hugh

[lutonlagerlout]

well we dont get that product in the uk hugh,but as you are talking 5/8 joints in places i would insert the sand first then wack the area,
then top up the sand then apply water
if you wack them with no sand the chances are with such big joints the blocks would move around
cheers
LLL

[sciguy]

LLL, Thanks so much for the quick reply

Ahhhhhh....hadn't considered that they might move around. they are pretty tight on at least one end in most all cases but I could imagine some unintended twisting. Perhaps I should post a picture of the project.

Best Regards,

Hugh

[lutonlagerlout]

a picture would be handy,i am pretty sure that the latest thinking here is to wack the blocks before the sand goes in,but most pavers still do it the old way with the sand in first then wack,it has worked that way for 20 odd years IYKWIM
cheers LLL