The Brew Cabin

After laying all the pavers in a new driveway, should the wacker be used before or after the sand is swept into the joints?

Before - see the Jointing section of the block laying page.

There's additional info for clay pavers on the relevant page, too.

Hi Tony,

From the middle of this page I read

"The sealing sand is simply brushed over the surface repeatedly, and allowed to trickle down into the joints between the paving units. Once the joints are as full as possible, a vibrating plate compactor (known as a "Wacker Plate") should be run over the paving a number of times, in different directions, to vibrate and settle the sealing sand, and compact the paving units down to the correct, finished level. 5 or 6 passes with the wacker plate is usually sufficient to settle the jointing sand and compact the bricks/blocks."

I took this as I put the sand down THEN wacker. I have always done this and everything has always come out alright. Have I just been lucky?
Cheers Carl

Yes - sand first, then wacker.

Some sources advocate wackering first and then brushing in the sand, which is done mainly to prevent sand crushing onto the surface of the pavers. However, I prefer to sand first, sweep off the excess and then compact, topping up with additional sand later. This ensures the sand is well rattled into the joints and not totally rekliant on gravity, as would be the case if the jointing was left until after consolidation.

I know that many, if not most, contractors actually don't bother to sweep off the excess sand before wackering, but, as I said, this may result in sand crushing which can be a real blight on some pavers with certain brands of jointing sand.

Ah that what I thought but windy meadow asked it in the way "should the wacker be used before or after the sand is swept into the joints? " and you said Before.

So I thought you said the wacker should be used before...

Glad its all sorted in my head now..

Cheers Carl

A lot of contractors will whack the block before applying the dried sand to secure the block vertically, then apply the dried sand , then whack again to help yhe sand settle between the joints. Alan.

Sorry for the confusion, Carl - that's what happens with one word answers!

I am getting mixed answers here, should the wacker be used both before AND after sweeping sand into the joints, or just after?
Don

I, having read the advise on this site , have put the sand down first. I have always been happy with the results.
HTH Carl

Thanks Carl, that is what I will do.
Don

Just to be clear, my advice is....

1 - sand

2 - sweep off excess

3 - consolidate (wacker)

4 - add extra sand

... in that order.

I know there are other ways, but that's mine! :)

I am not disagreeing with anyone as Tony says there are several way to go about this i was allways tought to compact first so the sand beneath can rise between the joints and properly compact, then sand on top and recompact, the kiln dried sand is only there to stop latteral movement not vertical. Whether it makes any difference i am not sure. what i am saying is that it can obviously be done both ways so which ever way you choose it will more than likeley be allright.