Block Paving

Lungman

We've recently moved to a new house that has block paving. I noticed there are quite a few gaps between the blocks and someone mentioned to me I should fill them with sand.

Is there any particular specialist sand I should use?

And is there a best time of year to do this?

Thanks

Rex_Mundi

Get yourself a couple of bags of kiln dried sand from your local B and Q. Split the bag open over the blocks, and use a soft broom to keep sweeping the sand back and forward till it fills the gaps. I have used soft sand for this before, but only when the sand was completely dry.

There is not a best time of the year to do this. Make sure you do it in the dry, it's so much easier and cleaner than in the rain.

grumbler

dry sand/cement jointing

EDIT:
Dry Sand Jointing

Dry Grouting

Rex_Mundi

I've never seen anyone use sand and cement to fill the gaps on block paving. There really is no need. Sand on its own will do the job perfectly.

grumbler

Rex_Mundi wrote:

I've never seen anyone use sand and cement to fill the gaps on block paving. There really is no need. Sand on its own will do the job perfectly.

I you mean my link, it is worth having a look before making comments:

Three important points to note:

1. there is NO cement used: None, nil, zero, zilch, nada, neamhní, nowt.

MastG

I aked my uncle this years ago
(he transforms beautiful gardens into concrete and brick for a living)
and he said 'just use kiln dried sand', as per Rex_Mundi

Wicks and B&Q sell the stuff.

Gary

bunking_off

grumbler wrote:

I you mean my link, it is worth having a look before making comments:

Grumbler, you're correct, of course. However you did give the link a bit of a confusing title (titling it "cement"), then compounded this by having the link point to the wrong section on the webpage (#dry rather than #sand). Think Rex can be forgiven on this occasion for misinterpreting what you were saying...

grumbler

bunking_off wrote:

... you did give the link a bit of a confusing title (titling it "cement"), then compounded this by having the link point to the wrong section on the webpage (#dry rather than #sand)...

Thank you for comment. Actually I just copied a ready link from other page of the website. On my big screen I can see both 'Dry Grouting' and 'Dry Sand Jointing' titles at the same time. I edited my post and splitted the link into two.

Lungman

Thanks everyone for the advice - so its off to the DIY store for some kiln dried sand this weekend then!

The site mentioned by grumbler is very informative and helped me with my brick work pointing (didn't think to have a look on the site for block paving).

Loobeylou

We were advised to use silver sand which is extremely fine - not sure if this is the same as kiln dried. It does however come in a damp condition, so make sure you have a good sunny day, and spread the contents out to dry prior to brushing it backwards and forwards into the gaps in the paving.