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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSometimes, but there is no reliable yes-or-no answer for every polymeric sand. Thorad says its product is not permeable and provides no drainage, while Sika’s Evolution Pro instructions require a drainage base. Water entering a joint during installation is also different from water draining through a cured joint. Check the exact product and the whole paving assembly—not just the sand.
What determines whether water drains?
Drainage depends on the joint product, the material beneath the pavers, the surface shape and the route water can take away from the paved area. A joint may admit some water without the underlying base or site carrying it away. Polymeric sand should not be treated as a substitute for a drainage layer.
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- Product: Read the current technical data sheet for an explicit permeability statement and approved uses. Thorad states, “Thorad is not permeable (no drainage),” a claim about that product—not every polymeric sand. Thorad technical data sheet.
- Base and substrate: Sika’s December 2025 Canadian Evolution Pro sheet calls for a properly prepared surface and appropriate drainage base. It excludes pavers or stones installed directly over a concrete slab. Sika Evolution Pro Product Data Sheet.
- Surface and joints: A steep slope combined with wide joints may make surface water run over the joints instead of entering them. Sika recommends testing a small area in this situation; it does not provide a quantitative permeability rate. Sika Evolution Pro product page.
- Drainage route: Even if water passes into a joint, it must still be able to move through the base and away from the site. Persistent pooling therefore cannot be diagnosed from the joint material alone.
Does water entering during installation mean the cured joint drains?
No. Water is used to activate some products during installation, but that process does not establish how permeable a cured joint will be. Thorad’s sheet, for example, describes wetting the product to activate its binder while also stating that the cured product is not permeable. Follow the chosen product’s instructions rather than treating activation as a drainage test.
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Techniseal’s 2024 SmartSand instructions describe showering sections in stages and checking that water has reached at least 75% of the joint depth. They also warn against overwatering because it can lengthen curing and compromise performance. That 75% check concerns application activation, not a measured long-term drainage rate or a general instruction for other brands. Techniseal SmartSand Technical Data Sheet (2024).
#1 Best Overall
- Professional Polymeric Sand for Pavers Ideal jointing sand for patios, walkways, driveways, pool decks, and stone installations
- Rain Safe Technology Sets quickly and resists washout after activation
- Strong Joint Stabilization Locks pavers together to prevent shifting and movement
- Fast & Easy Installation Simple sweep-in application for contractors and homeowners
- For Concrete & Natural Stone Pavers Compatible with most hardscape surfaces
What if the joints stay wet or water pools?
Start by checking the exact product’s approved applications and the paving assembly. Sika says Evolution Pro is not intended for submerged or permanently wet areas. Its sheet notes that joints may soften when saturated and harden after drying. This guidance is specific to Evolution Pro; consult the current sheet for the product installed.
- Identify the product and compare the installation with its current data sheet, including permitted base, substrate, joint dimensions and slope conditions.
- Check whether the pavers sit on a prepared drainage base or directly over concrete. Sika specifically excludes the latter setup for Evolution Pro.
- Observe whether water is pooling on the surface or whether joints remain saturated. A steep slope and wide joints can impede water entry, while a base without an adequate drainage route can leave water with nowhere to go.
- If the site remains wet, avoid assuming that adding or replacing joint sand will solve the underlying drainage issue; evaluate the base and the route water needs to leave.
How long should the joints be protected while curing?
Cure and rain-protection periods vary by formulation and weather. Sika Canada’s Evolution Pro sheet dated December 2025 specifies at least 24 hours before foot traffic and 72 hours before vehicle traffic. It calls for rain protection for at least 24 hours, or 48 hours when joints are wider than 13 mm (1/2 inch); cooler conditions can extend drying. These are Evolution Pro instructions, not universal timelines for polymeric sand.
Rank #2
- FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH and BEAUTY: Ease your mind with revolutionary CERAMIC FLEX technology in the most advanced polymeric sand available, allowing flexibility and durability in joints 1/8” up to 4”, with beautiful colors to make your paver or stone surfaces pop!
- EASY TO USE PACKAGING: Our bag’s NEW Easy Pour Handle makes carrying a breeze and offers more control and precision installation a breeze.
- EASY INSTALLATION: Made with fine sand and a cement-free formula, DOMINATOR Polymeric Sand easily sweeps into joints and rinses easily, dramatically cutting your installation time and labor efforts. (Note: This product is not a replacement for grout, mortar, and paver edging.)
- COVERAGE RATE: Using Google, search "DOMINATOR Polymeric Sand Calculator" to help you calculate the amount of sand needed for your project, or download our Product Documentation in the Product Guides section of this listing for a Calculator Worksheet.
- NOTE: Use the Installation Manual in the Product Guides section of this listing, and reference our How To Video.
How to assess a product before installation
- Find the exact current product sheet. Look for an explicit statement about permeability or drainage rather than relying on the category name.
- Confirm the assembly is approved. Check substrate and base requirements, including whether the product is permitted for sand-set pavers or a concrete overlay.
- Check joint and slope conditions. Compare the specified joint width and depth with the project, and note any warnings about steep slopes or water running over the joints.
- Follow activation and curing steps as written. Use the product’s own water-application procedure and rain, foot-traffic and vehicle-traffic intervals.
- Plan the complete drainage route. Establish how water leaves the base and site; do not rely on water entering a joint as proof that the assembly drains.
Manufacturer sheets provide product-specific directions, not an independent head-to-head test of polymeric sands. The available product information does not establish a category-wide drainage percentage or rate, so a numerical claim for polymeric sand generally would be misleading.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH and BEAUTY: Ease your mind with revolutionary CERAMIC FLEX technology in the most advanced polymeric sand available, allowing flexibility and durability in joints 1/8” up to 4”, with beautiful colors to make your paver or stone surfaces pop!
- EASY TO USE PACKAGING: Our bag’s NEW Easy Pour Handle makes carrying a breeze and offers more control and precision installation a breeze.
- EASY INSTALLATION: Made with fine sand and a cement-free formula, DOMINATOR Polymeric Sand easily sweeps into joints and rinses easily, dramatically cutting your installation time and labor efforts. (Note: This product is not a replacement for grout, mortar, and paver edging.)
- COVERAGE RATE: Using Google, search "DOMINATOR Polymeric Sand Calculator" to help you calculate the amount of sand needed for your project, or download our Product Documentation in the Product Guides section of this listing for a Calculator Worksheet.
- NOTE: Use the Installation Manual in the Product Guides section of this listing, and reference our How To Video.
Rank #4
- { Fight Every Weather Condition } Whether it be rain, snow or excessive sunshine; Our sand is designed to handle the rigors of anything mother nature can throw at your patio!
- { Ideal For Multiple Application Types } Our sand is designed for driveways, walkways, and around a pool; For use with concrete pavers and wet cast based pavers
- { Lock your Masterpiece in Place } By applying polymeric paver sand in between paver joints, you are making sure that nothing comes through your beautiful patio and allows you years of stress free enjoyment!
Rank #3
- FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH and BEAUTY: Ease your mind with revolutionary CERAMIC FLEX technology in the most advanced polymeric sand available, allowing flexibility and durability in joints 1/8” up to 4”, with beautiful colors to make your paver or stone surfaces pop!
- EASY TO USE PACKAGING: Our bag’s NEW Easy Pour Handle makes carrying a breeze and offers more control and precision installation a breeze.
- EASY INSTALLATION: Made with fine sand and a cement-free formula, DOMINATOR Polymeric Sand easily sweeps into joints and rinses easily, dramatically cutting your installation time and labor efforts. (Note: This product is not a replacement for grout, mortar, and paver edging.)
- COVERAGE RATE: Using Google, search "DOMINATOR Polymeric Sand Calculator" to help you calculate the amount of sand needed for your project, or download our Product Documentation in the Product Guides section of this listing for a Calculator Worksheet.
- NOTE: Use the Installation Manual in the Product Guides section of this listing, and reference our How To Video.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
