SRW Pavermate Z3 Polymeric Sand: Haze Free Install Guide

SRW Pavermate Z3 is the SRW Products polymeric sand built around three complaints contractors have about ordinary jointing sand: white haze, dust during the sweep, and joints that wash out when a storm arrives early. SRW removed Portland cement, fly ash and crushed limestone from the formula, uses a clear polymer, and rates the joints rain safe 10 minutes after activation. It is sold in 50 lb bags for concrete and clay paver joints from 1/16 in to 2 in wide.

This guide covers what Pavermate Z3 is rated for, where SRW says it can and cannot be used, the installation sequence from the product page, coverage per bag and the answers to the questions we hear most, using figures from the SRW Pavermate Z3 product page and technical data sheet.

What SRW Pavermate Z3 is

SRW Pavermate Z3 Polymeric Sand is a dry, water-activated jointing sand. What sets it apart is what SRW left out of the mix. Here is how it compares with a typical polymeric sand:

Feature	Typical polymeric sand	SRW Pavermate Z3
Haze risk	Portland cement, fly ash or crushed limestone in the blend can bake a white haze onto pavers	Clear polymer technology with no Portland cement, fly ash or crushed limestone
Dust during the sweep	Loose fines cloud up when swept	Polymers bind to the sand particles and to each other, which reduces fines
Rain after activation	Needs a dry window, length varies by product	Rain safe 10 minutes after activation
Joint range	Varies by product	1/16 in to 2 in, minimum 1-1/2 in deep
Packaging	Usually 50 lb bags	50 lb bags in five colors

SRW also states that properly installed and cured joints form a firm bond that helps resist weed growth and ant nesting, and that the Z3 formula was designed specifically to prevent joint washout. Read our overview of what causes white haze on pavers if you want the background on why the Portland free formula matters.

SRW Pavermate Z3 specifications

Specification	Per SRW
Joint width	1/16 in to 2 in
Minimum joint depth	1-1/2 in
Joint width on concrete overlays	Up to 1 in at intersecting points, per ICPI overlay specifications
Installation temperature	Above 32°F throughout installation and curing
Surface condition	Completely dry, wait 24 hours after rain
Rain safe	10 minutes after activation
Cleaning or sealing	Wait 28 days
Bag size	50 lb
Colors	Tan, Granite, Black, Ivory, Beige
Uses	Walkways, driveways and patios, residential and commercial

SRW notes that actual color varies by geographic location, and a monitor will not show you the true shade. The Pavermate Z3 color sample kit lets you compare all five colors on your own pavers before you order full bags, which matters because polymeric sand is permanent once cured.

Where to use it (and where not to)

SRW recommends Pavermate Z3 for joints from 1/16 in up to 2 in wide, with a minimum joint depth of 1-1/2 in, in residential and commercial installations on:

• Concrete pavers and clay pavers, and clay must be completely dry before installation
• Walkways, driveways and patios
• False joints
• Concrete overlays, with joints up to 1 in at intersecting points, following ICPI technical specifications for overlay installation

The base matters as much as the joint. SRW describes Z3 as a product for pavers or slabs installed over a drainage bed (sand set), not paving stones set over concrete bedding. It is not a mortar substitute.

Per the SRW technical data sheet, Pavermate Z3 is not recommended for flagstone patios, porcelain tile, or wet and heavily shaded areas. It should not be used on pool copings, submerged surfaces or constantly wet surfaces. If your project is flagstone or a wide, irregular stone joint, look at the SRW X-Treme polymeric sand instead, which we cover in our X-Treme wide joint guide. Not sure which fits? Call (856) 418-4895 and describe the surface before you order.

How to install SRW Pavermate Z3

The full step by step procedure is in the SRW technical data sheet, available in our TDS and SDS library. This is the sequence as SRW lays it out on the product page. Keep temperatures above 32°F throughout installation and curing, and test in a small, discrete area first.

1. Prep. Pavers must be completely dry, so wait 24 hours after rain, and compacted. On existing projects, clean the old joints out first. SRW says to remove old jointing material down to 1-1/2 in deep, typically by blowing it out with a pressure washer, working from one side of the project to the other so removed sand does not refill joints you have already cleared.
2. Fill. Apply Z3 evenly and sweep it diagonally into the joints to the full depth of the paver. Remove excess sand from the surface, then compact the filled joints with a rubber plated compactor.
3. Set the height. Broom off the remaining sand and set the joint height with a leaf blower on idle. Finished joints should sit 1/8 in below the top of the paver.
4. Activate. Work in sections of up to 200 sq ft. Water each section for a total of 2 minutes: mist first, then a light shower repeated twice. Test with a screwdriver for at least 1 in of moisture depth, then blow off the excess water.
5. Cure. Joints are rain safe 10 minutes after activation. For the best result, install when no rain is forecast for 24 hours, keep irrigation systems off until the joints are fully cured, and wait 28 days before cleaning or sealing.

Two safety notes from SRW: like all polymeric sands, Z3 contains crystalline silica, so avoid breathing the dust, wear eye protection and keep it out of reach of children. Store unopened bags in their original packaging in a dry place away from UV. Outdoor storage requires an opaque, waterproof tarp, and opened material should be brought into a covered area. For general technique, see our list of installation mistakes that cause haze and cracks.

How much SRW Pavermate Z3 you need

SRW gives coverage as a range because paver thickness, joint width and joint depth all change the answer:

Joint	Coverage per 50 lb bag
Narrow joints	55 to 75 sq ft
Wide joints	20 to 30 sq ft

For an exact bag count, enter your paver size, joint width and paver thickness into our polymeric sand calculator, or call (856) 418-4895 with your square footage and joint width. Order before our daily cutoff and Z3 ships same day from our New Jersey warehouse. Local pick-up is also available: call first, pick up at 1287 Glassboro Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094. Details are on our local pick-up page.

Watch the manufacturer's video

Frequently asked questions

How soon after installation is Pavermate Z3 rain safe?

10 minutes after joint activation. SRW explains that a flexible joint at that stage means the reaction has occurred but the joint is not fully cured. For the best long term result, install when no rain is forecast for 24 hours and allow the full cure.

Can I use Pavermate Z3 on flagstone or porcelain?

No. SRW does not recommend Z3 for flagstone patios or porcelain tile. Call us and we will point you to the right product for that surface.

When can I seal my pavers after sanding with Z3?

Wait 28 days after installation before cleaning and sealing.

Can I install Pavermate Z3 over old polymeric sand?

No. SRW recommends removing the old jointing material down to 1-1/2 in deep before re-sanding. Our guide on how to replace polymeric sand walks through the removal.

What if it is cold out?

Temperatures must stay above 32°F throughout installation and curing. If a freeze is coming, wait for a warmer window.