Cracked polymeric sand and weeds in a new paver patio
Polymeric sand settling and cracking slightly after a few months is common, and can be fixed by sweeping fresh sand into the gaps and misting it down. Weeds usually happen if seeds blow in before the sand sets or if the base wasn't compacted perfectly, requiring you to pull them out and monitor the area.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Pulling or spraying the weeds
- 2Sweeping more polymeric sand into the gaps and misting it down
- 3Asking the contractor to return, add more polymeric sand, and apply a sealant.
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Had paver patio installed a few months ago- now I am noticing some cracks between the pavers where the polymeric sand goes and even a weed growing.”source ↗
“Had paver patio installed a few months ago- now I am noticing some cracks towards one side which does seem slightly lower (maybe collecting water?) between the pavers where the polymeric sand goes and even a weed growing.”source ↗
“The sand settling and cracking a little after a couple months is pretty normal honestly I'd just sweep some more polymeric sand into those gaps and mist it down”source ↗
“The weed though that sucks but it happens if the base wasn't compacted perfectly or some seeds blew in before the sand fully set pull it and keep an eye out for more”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 5How to clear thick grass overgrowing a paved driveway
- 2How to get rid of a bunch of old landscaping rock
- 4Why does polymeric sand keep washing out of pavers?
- 3How to prep a garden bed after removing weeds and gravel
- 8How do you fix a backyard patio with mismatched paver sizes?