SRW Pavermate Z3™ Polymeric Sand – 50 lb Bag
Rain Safe in 10 Minutes. Zero Haze. Zero Dust.
SRW Pavermate Z3â„¢ is the one sand solution for paver joints: rain safe joints just 10 minutes after activation, a Portland free formula that will not haze your pavers, and joints that resist weeds, ants, and washout.
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Ships Same Day From our NJ warehouse |
50 lb Bags Up to 75 sq ft per bag |
Rain Safe in 10 Min After joint activation |
Real Humans (856) 418-4895 |
Why Contractors Ask for Z3 by Name
Cheap polymeric sand fails in three predictable ways: white haze baked onto your pavers, clouds of dust during the sweep, and joints that wash out the first time a storm rolls in early. Pavermate Z3â„¢ was engineered around eliminating all three, based on feedback from hardscape professionals.
- Zero Haze. Z3 uses clear polymer technology and removes Portland cement, fly ash, and crushed limestone from the formula. Those three ingredients are what cause hazing in ordinary polymeric sands, so Z3 sets you up for a haze free finish.
- Zero Dust. The polymers are specially mixed to bind to the sand particles and to each other, which reduces fines and keeps the sweep clean.
- Zero Problems. Once activated, joints are rain safe in just 10 minutes. An unexpected shower does not mean starting over.
Coverage: How Many Bags Do You Need?
Each 50 lb bag of Pavermate Z3â„¢ typically covers:
- Narrow joints: 55 to 75 square feet per bag
- Wide joints: 20 to 30 square feet per bag
Actual coverage depends on paver thickness, joint width, and joint depth. For an exact bag count, use our free Polymeric Sand Calculator, or call or text us at (856) 418-4895 with your square footage and joint width.
Where Z3 Works
Pavermate Z3â„¢ is recommended by SRW for joints from 1/16 inch up to 2 inches wide, with a minimum joint depth of 1 1/2 inches, in residential and commercial installations:
- Concrete pavers and clay pavers (clay must be completely dry before installation)
- Walkways, driveways, and patios
- False joints
- Concrete overlays, with joints up to 1 inch at intersecting points (refer to ICPI tech specs for proper overlay installation)
Where Z3 Should NOT Be Used (Straight From the Manufacturer)
We would rather tell you this before you buy than argue about it after. Per SRW's technical data sheet, Pavermate Z3â„¢ is not recommended for flagstone patios, porcelain tile, or wet and heavily shaded areas, and should not be used on pool copings, submerged surfaces, or constantly wet surfaces. It is not a mortar substitute: use it on pavers or slabs installed over a drainage bed (sand set), not paving stones set over concrete bedding.
Not sure if your project qualifies? Call or text 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.
Installation at a Glance
The full step by step guide is in the official TDS below. Here is the shape of the job:
- Prep. Pavers must be completely dry (wait 24 hours after rain) and compacted, with joints cleaned out on existing projects.
- Fill. Apply Z3 evenly, sweep diagonally into joints to full paver depth, and compact the filled joints with a rubber plated compactor. Remove excess sand from the surface before compacting.
- Set the height. Broom off remaining sand and set joint height with a leaf blower on idle. Finished joints should sit 1/8 inch below the top of the paver.
- Activate. Working in sections up to 200 square feet, 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 inch of moisture depth, then blow off excess water.
- Cure. Joints are rain safe 10 minutes after activation. For best results install when no rain is forecast for 24 hours, keep irrigation systems off until fully cured, and wait 28 days before cleaning or sealing.
Keep temperatures above 32°F throughout installation and curing, and always test in a small discrete area first.
Pick Your Color With Confidence
Pavermate Z3â„¢ is available in Tan, Granite, Black, Ivory, and Beige. SRW notes in their own documentation that actual color varies by geographic location, and screens make it worse: every monitor shows color differently.
Not 100% sure which color matches your pavers? Order our $10.99 Z3 Color Sample Kit first. You get real 2 ounce samples of all five colors, filled by us from the same factory sealed bags on this page, so you can compare them on your actual stone before buying full bags. Polymeric sand is permanent once cured. Ten dollars of certainty is cheap.
Quick Answers
How soon after installation is Z3 rain safe?
10 minutes after joint activation. A flexible joint at that stage means the reaction has occurred but the joint is not fully cured yet. For the best long term result, install when no rain is forecast for 24 hours and allow the full cure time.
Can I use Z3 on flagstone or porcelain?
SRW does not recommend Z3 for flagstone patios or porcelain tile, and we will not tell you otherwise just to sell a bag. Call us and we will help you figure out the right product for your surface.
When can I seal my pavers after sanding?
Wait 28 days after installation before cleaning and sealing.
Does Z3 stop weeds and ants?
Properly installed and cured polymeric sand joints form a firm bond that helps resist weed growth and ant nesting, and SRW designed the Z3 formula specifically to prevent joint washout.
What if it is cold out?
Temperatures must stay above 32°F throughout installation and curing. If a freeze is coming, wait.
Can I install Z3 over old polymeric sand?
No. SRW recommends removing the old jointing material down to 1 1/2 inches deep before re-sanding, 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 cleared joints.
How should I store extra bags?
In 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.
Is there anything I should know about handling it?
Like all polymeric sands, Z3 contains crystalline silica. Avoid breathing dust, wear eye protection during installation, and keep it out of reach of children. Full precautions are in the SDS below.
Official SRW Product Documentation
Download the Pavermate Z3™ TDS (PDF) →
Download the Pavermate Z3™ SDS (PDF) →
Documents are published by SRW Products. For the most current versions, visit SRWProducts.com.
Order before our daily cutoff and your Z3 ships today from New Jersey.
Calculate Your Bags →  |  Order the $10.99 Color Sample Kit First →
Questions about your project? Call or text (856) 418-4895 and you will get a real person who works with this sand every day.
Not sure how many 50 LB bags of polymeric sand your paver project will need? Try our Polymeric Sand Calculator
