How to Remove Polymeric Sand Haze (& What Is It?)

How to Remove Polymeric Sand Haze (& What Is It?)

Handyman's World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

If not used properly, one of the risks of sealing pavers with polymeric sand is that it can create a haze on top of the pavers. This haze doesn’t look very nice, but thankfully it can be removed.

How to remove polymeric sand haze, and what it is in the first place, is exactly what we are going to discuss today.

What Is Polymeric Sand Haze?

Polymeric sand haze, otherwise known as poly sand haze, is any of the poly sand dust that is leftover on the surface of the pavers. If you get the dust from the sand onto the pavers, and it then gets wet, it’s going to create a haze on top of those pavers.

This is a white-colored haze, and it does not look very nice at all. It won’t really affect the durability or integrity of the pavers, but it definitely isn’t aesthetically pleasing. The dust may leave a slight haze if it is still dry, but it will be a very severe haze if it has already been wet and hardened.

6 Best Ways to Remove Polymeric Sand Haze from Pavers

There are six potential ways to remove polymeric sand haze from pavers, so let’s take a quick look at each of them.

1. Using a Brick or Block Cleaner

One of the best methods at your disposal here is to use a brick or block cleaner. This is a special type of cleaner designed to remove stains and debris from bricks, with hydrochloric acid being its base.

Brick or block cleaner is technically hydrogen chloride that is then dissolved in water. This cleaner is going to be able to remove more or less everything from the paver. It’s even strong enough to remove grout and mortar.

However, this type of product is quite dangerous, so the utmost caution is recommended. You absolutely have to wear rubber gloves when using any kind of product such as this.

2. Steam Pressure Washing

If the haze is fairly thick but hasn’t been allowed to harden for too long, you may be able to remove it by using steam pressure washing. Now, keep in mind that pressure washing on its own will not remove the haze, as the water needs to be boiling hot.

If the dust has already gotten wet and then hardened, you absolutely need to use hot water. Therefore, using a combination steam and pressure washer is recommended. The extreme heat from the steam will cause the polymers to reactivate, soften, and will then wash away.

3. Using Boiling Water and a Brush

If you only have a very small area that is being affected by this poly haze, then you can always use a bucket of boiling water and a brush. Once again, the boiling water should soften up the haze, which you should then be able to scrub away with a brush. You can then use a hose to wash away the residue.

4. Using White Vinegar and Water

As mentioned above, acid-based brick cleaners do work very well. However, if the polymeric sand haze is not very severe, and you only have a small area to work with, white vinegar might do the trick.

Now, for the best results, you do want to mix about one part vinegar with one part boiling hot water. The combination of acid and boiling water will loosen up the haze, and then allow you to scrub and wash it away using a brush and your hose.

5. Using an Acid Cleaner

Although you do want to use a brick acid cleaner, there are also other types of acids and acid cleaners out there. Generally speaking, most types of acid will loosen this poly sand haze to the point where you can then wash it away.

6. Using Air Pressure

Although chances are pretty small, if the dust particles on the pavers have not yet been wet or hardened, you can use air pressure to blow the sand away before it actually turns into that layer of haze.

Can You Remove Polymeric Sand Haze with Vinegar?

Vinegar is not the strongest acid in the world, although it should be strong enough to remove light to moderate polymeric sand hazing. Now, because it’s not overly strong, it might not be your best bet if you have a large area to cover, especially if the layer of haze is fairly thick.

Moreover, for the best results, as mentioned above, mixing the vinegar with extremely hot water is going to work best. Also, keep in mind that you are probably going to need a whole lot of vinegar.

Can You Pressure Wash Polymeric Sand Haze Off Pavers?

If the polymeric sand haze has not yet fully developed, or in other words, if the dust particles have not fully hardened, you may be able to get away with pressure washing it off.

That said, as mentioned above, water alone usually won’t do the trick. That water has to be extremely hot. Therefore, if you are going to use a pressure washer, it has to be a combination steam and pressure washer so that water comes out as boiling hot steam.

Is It Possible to Avoid Polymeric Sand Haze in the First Place?

Avoiding this polymeric sand haze from occurring in the first place is extremely difficult, although doable.

One of the best things that you can do is to ensure that the pavers are completely dry when you go to apply the sand in the first place. This will help prevent the polymeric sand dust from sticking to the pavers.

Also, when applying the sand, before you wet it, make sure that you have brushed away as much sand and dust from the pavers themselves as possible. On a side note, there is also special polymeric sand that is said to not produce a haze.

Mistakes to Avoid, Tips and Tricks

Lastly, here are a couple of additional tips to keep in mind:

  • Don’t try to use any kind of physical tools to scrape away the haze, because it won’t work. The only thing you’ll accomplish is damaging the pavers.
  • If you are going to be using any kind of acid cleaner, make sure that you wear the proper personal protective gear, as these products can be dangerous.

Summary

Although polymeric sand haze is a pain in the neck and happens quite often, it isn’t overly difficult to remove, as long as you have the right tools and a bit of time.