Polymeric Sand - Did the contractor really use it?

[brnrkm]

We hired a contractor to install pavers. He touted the benefits of polymeric sand and we agreed to the extra expense. To make a long story short, the pavers were not installed in the specified pattern leaving a very obvious visual flaw in the patio. The contractor agreed to come back out to "pull about 65% of the patio and relay". In a couple of small places there is a thin layer of sand that is different(gray) and is somewhat hard on the surface. There is also a small area on top of one of the pavers. We've had some rain, mostly light rain over the last week or so. I am constantly sweeping loose sand off the top of the pavers and there is certainly washout along the edges of the patio. I've researched polymeric sand and understand the surface of the sand should be hard and the issue of washout should not be an issue. Is there any other way to know for sure if they really used the stuff??
Is there any logic for top dressing with regualr sand?
The contractor is coming back out tomorrow to collect the balance and I honestly don't think he's used the stuff!

[Paver]

Your contractor mave have activated the poly sand improperly and washed away some of the binder.

[brnrkm]

Paver, thanks for your response. Can you tell me what the acceptable method is to correct the situation if it wasn't watered in correctly?

[Paver]

brnrkm,
If the polymer binder was "washed away" during the activation process you really only have 2 choices. 1) Leave it and deal with some sand lose or 2) Pressure wash the sand out of the joints, let the pavement & joints dry COMPLETELY, then re-apply.
Keep in mind that NO joint sand stabilizer will guarantee zero sand loss.

[brnrkm]

If I take a sample if the sand to a local hardscape place would they be able to confirm if it's the right stuff or a common paver sand?

[Paver]

You will have to take a decent sample amount from the joints to a hardscape distributer that stocks the same brand & color of the poly sand used on your project. When compared, it should be very easy to see if your sand is the same color and particle gradation as the poly sand out of the bag. If it doesn't match, it is either a different brand than what the contractor told you he used, or it could be common sand. But if the joint sand is binding in some, or most of the areas, it isn't common sand.

[brnrkm]

The patio is a 17x20 and the area where there is some visable bonding is less than a 2sq ft area. This is one area where they made some adjustments to the pattern. There is also a visable difference in the color if the sand. There are darker grains of sand in the spot.

[Paver]

Some color variation from bag to bag is not uncommon and I doubt they used a different sand in just that small area. Overall on the patio, if the joint sand is dry and it comes out with no binding characteristics, they probably activated the product with too much water and washed the polymer away.