Techniseal EZ Sand Polymeric Sand: Residential Paver Guide

Techniseal EZ Sand (Techniseal writes it EZSand) is the straightforward polymeric jointing sand for a residential paver job. Techniseal describes it as its jointing solution for the easy installation of interlocking pavers in residential areas: it locks the joints, inhibits weed growth and insect infestation, and stops the premature erosion that turns a two year old patio into a weedy one. It is the uncomplicated option for driveways, walkways and patios where a high performance sand would be more product than the job needs.

This guide covers what EZ Sand is built for, where Techniseal says it belongs and where it does not, the installation sequence, and coverage per 35 lb bag, using figures from the Techniseal product page and data sheet. The product page does not state a joint width, weather window or cure time, so download the current data sheet from our TDS and SDS library for those requirements before you start.

What Techniseal EZ Sand is

Techniseal EZ Sand is a water activated polymeric sand for standard residential interlocking paver work. Techniseal sells three tiers of polymeric sand, and picking the right one either saves money or saves a callback. Here is how Techniseal draws the lines between them:

Feature	Techniseal EZ Sand	Techniseal SmartSand	Techniseal HP NextGel
Intended use	Straightforward residential interlocking paver work	Residential, pedestrian and light vehicular	Heavy vehicular, high humidity, pool decks, slopes, natural stone and porcelain
Technology	Standard polymeric jointing sand	NextGel, for cleaner application and faster wetting	NextGel
Bag size	35 lb	50 lb	50 lb
Published coverage	Up to 50 sq ft per bag	60 to 120 sq ft narrow joints, 25 to 40 sq ft wide joints, per 50 lb bag	60 to 120 sq ft narrow joints, 25 to 40 sq ft wide joints, per 50 lb bag
Joint width	Standard paver gap; see the TDS	Less than 1 in	Out to 4 in
Warranty	See the TDS	15 years	20 years

Techniseal's own guidance is that specifying up a tier costs a little, while specifying down a tier costs a rebuild. Most residential interlocking paver jobs need a jointing sand that locks properly, keeps weeds out, and does not wash away in the first storm, and that is what EZ Sand is for. For a look at what any polymeric sand does that plain sand does not, see polymeric sand vs regular sand.

Techniseal EZ Sand specifications

Specification	Per Techniseal
Product type	Polymeric jointing sand
Bag size	35 lb
Coverage	Up to 50 sq ft per bag, varying with the type of paver used
Colors	Gray and Tan
Inhibits	Weed growth and insect infestation
Prevents	Premature erosion of paver joints
Intended use	Residential interlocking paver installations
Typical applications	Driveways, walkways, patios

Techniseal does not publish a joint width range, an installation temperature, a rain safe time or a cure period on the product page. For joint width, weather and cure requirements, check the manufacturer data sheet in our TDS and SDS library. Our guides to polymeric sand temperature limits and rain after polymeric sand explain what those figures mean in practice.

Where to use it (and where not to)

EZ Sand suits standard residential interlocking paver work. Techniseal lists these applications:

• Residential paver patios
• Garden walkways and paths
• Residential driveways in interlocking pavers
• Smaller jobs where a full high performance product is more than the project needs
• Resanding old joints once they are emptied to at least 1-1/2 in deep; Techniseal says not to use EZ Sand as capping sand
• Budget conscious residential installations

The limits come straight from the manufacturer, and each one points to a different Techniseal product:

• This is a residential product. For heavy vehicular traffic, high humidity areas, pool decks, steep slopes, or joints wider than a standard paver gap, step up to Techniseal HP NextGel.
• Not for natural stone or flagstone. Where compaction is difficult, NOCO is the correct product.
• Not for outdoor porcelain. Use NextGel Porcelain.
• Clean before water. Do not water activate until the paver surface has been swept and blown completely clean. Residue left on the face is what causes haze.
• The TDS governs. Read the current technical data sheet for joint width, weather and cure requirements before you start.

Not sure if your project qualifies? Call us at (856) 418-4895 before you order. We will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that this is not the right product for your job.

How to install Techniseal EZ Sand

Follow the official Techniseal instructions and the data sheet current at the time you install. This is the shape of the job as Techniseal lays it out:

1. Check the joints. Confirm the pavers are laid and the joints are dry, clean and clear of debris.
2. Sweep it in. Spread the sand and sweep it fully into the joints.
3. Compact. Compact so the sand settles, then top up any joints that dropped.
4. Clean the face. Sweep and blow the paver surface completely clean before any water touches it.
5. Water activate. Activate per the Techniseal instructions, working in sections from the lowest point.
6. Keep traffic off. Stay off the surface through the cure period.

The sweeping step decides how the patio looks. Whatever sand is left on the paver face when the water hits it will still be visible when the job is dry. Our guides to polymeric sand installation mistakes and removing polymeric sand haze cover what happens when that step is skipped.

How much Techniseal EZ Sand you need

Techniseal publishes a coverage figure for EZ Sand, which makes estimating simple:

Bag	Coverage per Techniseal
35 lb bag	Up to 50 sq ft, varying with the type of paver used

Wider joints and more textured pavers will pull that figure down, so add a bag over your calculated need rather than running short at the far corner. For a bag count based on your paver size and joint width, use our polymeric sand calculator and compare against the figure above, or call us and we will work it out with you. To see Gray and Tan against your pavers before ordering, the EZ Sand color samples include both, and our cross brand Gray Polymeric Sand Color Samples and Beige and Tan Polymeric Sand Color Samples packs hold EZ Sand Gray and Tan next to other brands.

Techniseal also notes that EZ Sand pairs with its HD Paver Prep to clean the surface before sanding, and with its NS or JS paver sealer once the joints have cured. Our guide to how to seal pavers covers that later step.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a bag of EZ Sand cover?

Up to 50 sq ft per 35 lb bag, varying with the type of paver used.

Will EZ Sand stop weeds?

It inhibits weed growth, which is the main reason to use polymeric sand over plain jointing sand. It also resists insect infestation; ants in particular will excavate a plain sand joint and undermine the pavers around it.

Can I use EZ Sand on a driveway?

It is intended for residential installations including driveways in interlocking pavers. For heavy vehicular loads, Techniseal points to HP NextGel.

How is EZ Sand different from SmartSand?

SmartSand adds the NextGel technology for cleaner application and faster wetting, and carries a 15 year warranty. EZ Sand is the more basic residential option.

Can I use EZ Sand on flagstone?

No. For natural stone and flagstone, Techniseal points to NOCO, which does not require mechanical compaction.