Block paving and replacing sand at this time of year

Ant555

I have jetwashed the block paving (with one of those patio ends) and of course some of the sand has displaced.  I was going to wait to clean the block paving but there were some recent marks that I didn't want to leave over the winter.
I am unlikely to get a proper dry day before end weekend although the forecast for next week is 5 degrees day time temp and no rain - would there be any major issue brushing new kiln dried sand in next week when its not absolutely bone dry outside?  The drive is around 5m x 5m so not a huge job but we park cars on it and even if I have to redo this in spring I would be OK with that.
Just looking for opinions- is it best to at least get some sand in there next week?

neilmcl

I would've left until the spring next year. No matter how clean you get it now, over winter you will get moss and algae growth and you'll likely have to redo it again. Also, even if you get a dry day the air is going to be fairly damp this time of year. It'll do no harm brushing sin some new sand but won't be as easy than when it's nice and dry, and warm.

Ant555

neilmcl said:

 It'll do no harm brushing sin some new sand but won't be as easy than when it's nice and dry, and warm.

Thanks for the reply - so it basically comes down to how easy is it to brush the sand around.  I can live with that

neilmcl

Ant555 said:

neilmcl said:

 It'll do no harm brushing sin some new sand but won't be as easy than when it's nice and dry, and warm.

Thanks for the reply - so it basically comes down to how easy is it to brush the sand around.  I can live with that

Well not quite. The reason they use a fine, dry sand is that it can get into all the spaces required, it's the sand itself that locks the paving into place and gives it stability. Damp sand wont do this as well. However as you're only replacing a small amount that's been blown up by a pressure washer it's not going to make a huge difference.

sk2402005

Hi, from experience, you need completely dry sand (and paving) where you might get some sand into the gaps, but it will shrink when it dries out.

You might get a dry cold period further into winter, but i wouldn't bother even trying until then, or leave it to the spring.

Ectophile

It's just sand.  It doesn't matter if it's bone dry or slightly soggy.  Provided you can brush it, it will work.

Your biggest problem is likely to be if you do it before a storm, and it all washes straight out again.

neilmcl

Ectophile said:

It's just sand.  It doesn't matter if it's bone dry or slightly soggy.  Provided you can brush it, it will work.

Your biggest problem is likely to be if you do it before a storm, and it all washes straight out again.

Of course it makes a difference. If it's not dry then it's not going to find it's way deep into all the gaps and just sit at the top of the joins, and where it will get easily washed out. It maybe "just sand" but as I explained it's one of the most integral part of the block paving.

Ant555

Thanks for the replies - Sounds like I would have been better all round waiting but as I am where I am, and the chances of a properly dry day are remote, I will give it a go.  I guess it cant hurt getting at least some sand in there,  even if it takes me a bit longer now and I have to redo it in spring.
Cheers again.