Mortar/Sharp Sand between Block Paving Joints (Worth It?)

Block paving needs some maintenance after every 2-3 years, and one of the things that it absolutely needs is re-sanding or filling the joints. Many people have questions regarding what’s the best option to put or they even don’t have any idea about what to put between block paving joints.

Is it kiln-dried sand, sharp sand, mortar, or a dry mix of kiln-dried sand and cement? What is it! what’s the best thing to fill the block paving joints.

If you even know a little about what and why it goes into the block paving joints, without a doubt, you’ll be filling the joints with kiln-dried sand because it’s the best thing you can have in the block paving joints.

I’ve already written a post on why you should avoid dry mix (cement with kiln-dried sand) in block paving joints (Click here to read the entire post). In this post, we’ll talk about why you should not use mortar or sharp sand in the block paving joints.

If you’re afraid about the sand keeps washing out of the joints you should definitely consider sealing the pavers (which also means sealing the joints). This can actually prevent the sand from washing out in the correct way or method.

Our DIY Block Paving Cheat Sheet here, explains why kiln-dried sand alone is the best thing that will go into the joints, also, it covers exactly the same thing; why you should never use cement in it because it’ll totally ruin the blocks when comes in contact with water.

Mortar in Block Paving Joints

Using traditional mortar made from sharp sand and cement between the joints of block paving the same as you point other paving slabs could be the absolute worst idea.

If you’re tired of re-sanding your block paving again and again and thinking that you’ll use the mortar now which won’t wash out as the sand then you’re absolutely wrong.

Block paving is a flexible installment. Once the mortar sets hard even if there’s a little shift in the paves, the movement would definitely crack the mortar and when you’ll realize that it was a pretty bad idea then you’ll have a hard time removing the stuck mortar from the gaps.

Also, it would totally create a lot of mess on your pavers. It will be very difficult to get rid of the cement stains that you’ll get from the mortar on your pavers.

Sharp Sand in Block Paving Joints

The reason why kiln-dried sand is used for the block paving joints is it’s absolutely fine and completely bone-dry sand that easily flows into the joints between the pavers so it’s the best option available that can go into the joints.

Sharp sand may not be the best option for block paving joints because may not fully flow till the bottom of the joints like the kiln-dried sand does.

If you’ve some spare sharp sand keep it as it is because if the paves sinks in some spots, the sand underneath it needs to be replaced (which is actually the sharp sand). However, it’s not recommended to use for the block paving joints.