Polymeric/Stabilizer Sand Failure

[njconstruction]

Hey all, I just wanted to give you a heads up, I had a bunch of stabilizer sand fail this year, it never hardened up right and was washing out. Really pissed me off since I pitched it as an added cost to the customer, then it didn't work. So I called the manufacturer and low and behold, I actually got some help.

Turns out the manufacturer will come and powerwash the bad sand out and replace it for free, they had a problem making some sand and didn't put enough glue in some batches. I have to admit, I was mad enough to never use their product again, but I was impressed with the customer service. My sand was Techo branded, but I understand that Alliance DP makes the sand for Techo block, EP Henry, Nicolock, and Alliance Super Sand, plus who knows what else. If any of you had any stabilizer sand fail, you should definately get in touch with the manufacturer and try to get your jobs fixed. The guy I talked to was Bob Filteu, with Alliance Designer Products, 514-942-2562. Good luck in the New Year everyone.

[Sunscaper]

Everyone take note to the product names and buy them. They are supporting a brother and should be treated as such. Obviously they are a good company. Rarely does a manufacturer take accountability for a liability an installer could easily be blamed with. God Bless them!!!!!

[GreenMonster]

I heard about this problem.

Did your sand stay soft and mushy, never harden up?

[cgland]

We have used Alliance and have had that same problem on some projects.

Chris

[GreenN'Clean]

Thanks for the info

[njconstruction]

Yea, the sand stayed soft and mushy on a few jobs, and I knew it wasn't right cause on a different job we did, the sand hardened up like mortar.

[DVS Hardscaper]

just a FYI -

I tread very lightly with a sales pitch for poly sand.

I am very careful what I promise with the product.

I have had a few problems with polly sand over the last 5 yrs, we do still use it, and I plan to continue to do so, yet I personally am not 100% sold on the product / concept, for reasons that would take too long to type.

[cgland]

Polysand is a standard install with us. We use it on every job and as I go back for inspections, I see that it does not always stay hard, in fact, most times due to torrential rains the polymers wash out and then the sand ends up splattered all over your flatwork.

Chris

[John Zaprala]

We use poly- sand as a standard and I also usually educate the customer why we use the product, but the only thing they seem to care about is the weed prevention and low maintenance. I usually let them know it's not proven to stop weeds and not guaranteed to last for the life of the patio. However, on that note, I usually will recommend they seal their patio.

[Grn Mtn]

...I usually will recommend they seal their patio.

curious, with sealing don't you have to reapply every couple years or so like a deck?

I normally use polymeric sand but this past year I did a flagstone install and because of the larger joints I went with the stabilizing sand. Well by the time fall came around and with all the rain we had 1/2" of it washed out. I thought this was just the difference in the product but now I am wondering if it has to do with a lack of glue?

Here is a pict of the walk:

[Techo-Bloc]

Alliance did have a few problems with their mixtures in 2005 and early 2006. Every issue I have come across has been fixed by the Manufacturer in a timely fashion. Alliance solved their mixing issues in May of 2006 and I have not has an issue with their new batches. Alliance is a great company and I highly recommend their "new" Polymeric sand.

[njconstruction]

I too have grown more cautious about how I pitch it to the customer, making sure I don't sell it as a miracle product. I also agree that most of my recent projects have come out fine, with all the sand setting up as it should. The failure was sort of strange with the old stuff as half a job would be fine, and the other half would just wash out or never harden up. I guess they just had some early QC issues. Glad to know I wasn't the only one.

[B. L. Landscaping]

has anyone had a problem with poly sand from unilock

[njconstruction]

Funny you should mention unilock - I used Techniseal on a job once, then the customer had me add to the job several months later, the Unilock rep sold me Unilock sand that was supposedly the same as the Techniseal but it was garbage. Different color, different texture, and it didn't work well at all. Very unhappy with them, despite several angry phone calls, they won't admit its different. Go figure.

[Bogor]

I have a guy coming down from canada to look at a couple of my jobs where the sand didn't really work, I'll keep you guys posted on what happens, hopefully he shows up.