removing sandlock from paver surfaces

[John DeVore]

Anyone have a good method for removing sandlock from pavers? They were surface dry but must have been damp from beneath. HELP!

[Paver]

Use an efflorescence cleaner and a 3000-4000 psi pressure washer.

[hardscape101]

I have heard that PaverPrep from Pave tech will do the job the best and that using a pressure washer may cause more of the product to come to the surface and that the paverprep cleaner works the best.

[Paver]

Any paver efflorescence cleaner should work (with a minimum 3000 psi washer), just don't use muriatic acid! The acid will soften the sandlock and the pressure washer will remove it.

[gryan]

I know hot water will get polymeric sand residue off surface, might effect the sand in joints also. Hot water or efflo cleaner you'll probably have to reapply anyways

[Paver]

Poly sand is different than organics, poly is like having a water based sealer stuck to the surface. If the effloresence cleaner isn't too strong and the pressure washer operator knows what he is doing, you shouldn't need to reapply organic joint sands like sandlock (other than possibly a couple of places). A hot pressure washer definately helps.

[mrhodus]

I have an idea, don't use it at all.

[sandman]

Don't use what Mr Hodus?

[mrhodus]

Don't use what Mr Hodus?
Sandlock...don't use sand lock at all.

[sandman]

Care to explain why? I've tried a lot of Polymeric sands and they take way too long to activate and don't last very long. SL takes just one saturation, so ??? the negativity towards it?

[Granite]

My guess is he's saying don't use ANY "stabilized" sands. Most of us seemed to get by just fine before all the hype over poly sand. Face it - it's kind of a gimmick. I will admit to using it (sand lock that is) but it's still kind of a gimmick (although I admit it seems to work)!!! Not sure what I'm saying here.

[Paver]

Granite, you're trying to say that a very low percentage of projects actually NEED stabilized joints, which is true.