Technical Resource Guide_WEB_BEL25-D-516650 - Page 8 of 84

8 | belgard ® product installation guide | belgard.com | 877-235-4273 HELPFUL HINT FOR PAVER PROTECTION Manufacturers of plate compactors recommend the use of mats or membranes between the compactor and pavers to protect the pavers from surface damage. Most plate compactor manufacturers sell accessories for this purpose including roller attachments for use on slabs. Pavers with profiled tops and non-tumbled pavers are more susceptible to damage from plate compactors. We recommend that you always protect the pavers with any of the following materials between the paver and the plate compactor. • Cardboard • Thin carpeting • Luan plywood • Urethane rubber mat COMPACT THE PAVERS A vibratory plate compactor with a minimum compaction force of 5,000 lbs. should be used for standard concrete pavers. For larger-format paving slabs (> 12x12 in.) use a roller compactor. SPREAD DRY JOINT SAND OVER THE SURFACE Sweep some sand into the joints, then vibrate and compact it into the joints, sweeping and compacting as you go. Filling the joints with sand will take several passes with the plate compactor. After initial compaction, jointing sand will settle,re-apply jointing sand and re-compact as needed. NOTE : Belgard recommends using polymeric jointing sand to fill the joints between pavers, which helps to stabilize the sand in the joints and control insects and weeds. Belgard ® carries Techniseal ® products such as HP NextGel Jointing sand. Make sure to follow all manufacturer recommendations in using and applying these products. Compact pavers.