Should I use a sand and cement mix to fill gaps on a paved driveway?

New2Retirement

Hi all,

We have a very large, paved driveway that was laid approx 30 years ago.

The edges have a concrete haunch that has failed over the years. As a result, many of the inner pavers have separated from each other - spread.

I've read reviews about sweeping in a sand and cement mix to help secure the pavers, in lieu of re-grouting which would be a mammoth job, but I'm afraid the cement would stick to the face of the pavers making it near impossible to remove.

There are a lot of gaps (to a max of 10mm) and I'm tempted to simply sweep in paver sand and water in lightly to help set.

The sand would obviously be removed when the driveway is next pressure washed but hopefully, we would have sold by then.

Your thoughts please?

JacobZ

Hi @New2Retirement,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Sand and cement between your pavers will help stop weeds growing through and give it a more finished look, but it won't have much of an effect to hold the pavers together. The primary issue here is the damaged haunch, and I'd say replacing it is the most important thing you can do to prevent further movement.

The concrete haunch was what previously did the heavy lifting resisting lateral forces applied to the pavers. There are a few approaches you could take depending on the time and effort you are looking to put in, but I'd say replacing the haunch is the most effective thing you can do here to prevent further movement.

Ideally, before reinstating the haunch, you would shift the pavers back into their original position. Obviously, this would be a lot of work, but if you wanted to return everything to its original state, it would be an essential first step. Being a large driveway, I completely understand if you'd like to avoid this.

For the wider gaps of up to around 10mm, a sand and cement mix could be swept into the joints then compacted. Once it has been worked down into the gaps, the face of the pavers would need to be swept very thoroughly before lightly wetting it down, as any cement residue left on the surface can stain or harden onto the pavers. Keep in mind that this will create a rigid joint, so it may crack if the driveway continues to move, which is why the haunch is essential.

If you reposition the pavers and reduce the joints to around 3–4mm, a polymeric paving sand, such as https://www.bunnings.com.au/dingo-20kg-powerloc-c-paving-sand_p0813145 , as opposed to standard paving sand, would be the better option. Polymeric sand has a polymer added that when wet, will essentially glue the sand together into one solid, but flexible mass. It is also swept into the joints, compacted where required, and followed by a very thorough sweep of the paver faces before it is activated with water.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob