Quick verdict
A 10 pound pour-handle bag of fine polymeric sand that sweeps into paver joints from 1/8 to 4 inches wide, then sets firm but flexible when wetted so it resists weeds, ants and washout while moving with freeze and thaw. DOMINATOR's cement-free formula rinses off the paver face without haze, which is the usual failure of polymeric sands. Ten pounds is for repairs and small areas; a patio needs the large bags.
Strengths
- Sets firm yet flexible, surviving freeze and thaw without cracking
- Cement-free formula rinses off pavers without haze
- Handles joints from 1/8 inch to 4 inches wide
- Resists weeds, ants and washout once cured
- Pour handle makes a small bag easy to control
Weaknesses
- Ten pounds covers only repairs or a few square feet
- Must be applied to dry pavers and watered exactly as directed
- Rain before cure ruins the job
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Joints That Stay Put
Plain sand in paver joints washes out, grows weeds and feeds ant colonies. Polymeric sand is sand with a binder that sets when wetted, locking the joint firm. DOMINATOR’s version adds a flexible, cement-free binder the maker calls Ceramic Flex, so the joint moves with the pavers through frost instead of cracking and rinses off the paver face without the white haze that cement-based sands leave. This 10 pound bag is the repair size.
This review is based on the manufacturer’s specifications and on how polymeric jointing sands perform generally. We have not applied this product ourselves.
Application
The method matters more than the product. Pavers must be bone dry. Pour the sand, sweep it into the joints, compact it by tapping or with a plate compactor on a pad, sweep more in until the joint is filled to about 1/8 inch below the chamfer. Then remove every grain from the paver surface with a leaf blower on low. Mist with water in the staged way the bag describes, never flooding, and keep the area dry and untrodden for the cure time. Rain inside that window undoes the job.
Flexibility
Rigid polymeric joints crack along the first freeze line and crumble by spring. A flexible binder stretches and recovers with the pavers, which is why this formula is favoured in cold climates. Cured, it sheds water, blocks weed seeds and gives ants nothing to tunnel.
Haze
The common complaint with polymeric sand is a white film on the pavers afterwards. It comes from cement in the binder reacting with water left on the face. A cement-free formula has nothing to haze, so residue rinses off, which makes this more forgiving for a first-time user.
Quantity
Ten pounds is for repairing a stretch of washed-out joints, re-pointing around a few replaced pavers or a small path. A patio wants the 40 or 60 pound bags. The pour handle gives good control for the small jobs this size suits.
Who Should Buy It
- Homeowners repairing a few failed joints.
- Anyone in a freeze-thaw climate whose rigid joints cracked.
- First-time users who fear haze.
Common Owner Complaints
Running out and failures from applying on damp pavers or watering too heavily. Buy enough and follow the steps exactly.
Alternatives to Consider
Alliance Gator Maxx G2 is the contractor standard in large bags. Techniseal and Sakrete sands are widely stocked. Plain kiln-dried sand is the cheap, temporary option.
Verdict
For repairing paver joints so they stay repaired, this flexible, haze-free sand is one of the best small-bag choices. Work on a dry day, blow the faces clean and water as directed, and the joints will outlast the next few winters.
Full specifications
DOMINATOR 10 Pound Charcoal Gray Polymeric Sand with Ceramic Flex Technology, Joints 1/8 to 4 Inches FAQs
On completely dry pavers, sweep the sand into the joints, compact or tap it down, sweep again to within 1/8 inch of the surface, blow every grain off the paver faces and mist with water in stages as the instructions describe. Then keep it dry for the cure period.
Cement-based polymeric sands leave a white haze on paver faces if any residue is left. A cement-free binder rinses off cleanly.
Rigid joints crack when pavers move with frost and settling. A flexible binder moves with them and keeps weeds and ants out for years.
It depends on joint width and depth. Ten pounds fills roughly 20 to 40 square feet of narrow joints or far less of wide ones. Use the manufacturer's online calculator.
