The sand between my brick pavers washes out during rain, how to fix?

What kind of sand, yellow? That never works, I've tried it, too coarse. Around here we have something called "road dust" that's a really fine grey powder, not sure what it is. Probably from processing quarry stone or trap rock into different sizes. A friend recommended it because supposedly it actually stays in the grooves once it gets in between the bricks.

One trick i've heard of (but not used) is to sweep a little portland cement into the cracks. Essentially you are making a really weak concrete. Should be soft enough to scrape out with a stick, but strong enough to not be washed away.

I imagine it might reduce the drainage properties of the surface.. and it may have other consequences. Any masons out there know the ins and outs of this method?

Likely you need a little finer sand. That said, I think any sand will do that in the beginning. Just keep adding a little and sweeping it in. Each time you will need less and eventually it will be down to once every few years.

I think that you should take out the bricks, and pour an 8" thick monolithic slab with rebar and fiberglass, and stamp and die the top to LOOK like brick.

I have also heard that, but I have not tried it. I would tend to think that it would work if the mix was not too strong and allowed for movement, which is the beauty of sand. As it freezes and thaws or moves in other ways the sand adjust. If repairs are needed a brick or as many as needed can be removed and reset.

I had the same problem I've Use Polymetric Sand it will get hard and no longer will be removed when if rain

hope it help

hope it help

replying to Joseph Meehan, Robin Wenz wrote: I have the same issue. I've swept about six times to no avail

replying to World Traveler, Robin Wenz wrote: Sprinkle Aldis brand salt on areas that you don't want any growth.

Replace the washed out sand with polymeric sand and, or, apply a sealer to the sand between the pavers.

See:

replying to Robin Wenz, Bobby wrote: What makes their brand so special? Other brands don't work even though they are the exact same chemical?

polymeric sand.

replying to Goedjn, Mona wrote: I think I agree. I have a paver sidewalk and stairs. It has sunk, shifted, and the sand washes out every year. I have to level up the steps every year. This year I used polymeric sand and. It washed out faster than the river sand I’ve used in the past. I’m very discouraged.

So your roof drains onto your sidewalk and stairs?

That would be where I'd start, with why so much water is flowing over it. I don't have experience using them, but I see them used widely, including at the beginning of driveways, for the first ten feet or so, and with an asphalt driveway sloping down to it, there must be lots of water flowing over that. I don't see them having issues, so if done right, it must be pretty tolerant to water flowing over it. I guess if it's water from a roof striking it or gushing from a downspout, that could make it much worse. Also, the fact that it has sunk and shifted would indicate it's not on a proper base. I'd think once they start to shift it's going to open up the joints, which would make it easy for the sand to wash out and maybe that's a big factor in the problem too.

Exactly. Rain hitting it won't normally wash sand out, but sheet flow across it will.

I used the all purpose sand by quick Crete. Put it down today…we are supposed to get rain Sunday. So we will see how it turns out