To whack or not to whack - Whaccker

[lfc]

i need to fill some joints with sand.The paving has settled after 4 weeks and has left some gaps. When i re sand do i need to use a whacker plate on it.

[williams]

In short no, just re fill the joints

[Tony McC]

Was it compacted previously? There's a danger when block pavements are left uncompacted and three or four weeks later the homeowner thinks it all looks hunky-dory so no need to hire a plate.

Except looks can be deceiving: those areas that have been trafficked by vehicles will be more-or-less thoroughly compacted, while those areas subjected only to foot traffic will be partially compacted and the edges and corners and out-of-the-way spots will have *settled* rather than compacted, as they have only the weather and gravity to encourage them downwards.

So: if it's simply a matter of topping-up, then no need for a plate compactor, but if the area hasn't been properly compacted previously, it's a good idea to do it now, while you're completing the jointing.