Re-sanding an area of block paving you've cleaned is of utmost importance. If you don't bother, not only will areas of the block paving look stupid because there'll be large gaps between the blocks, but those blocks can also begin to move. Without sand to hold the blocks in place the weight of a car driving over them will make them begin to shift.

You need to use kiln-dried sand to re-sand the block paving. You'll be able to purchase this from your local builders' merchant.

The first problem with re-sanding is that it can only be done when the driveway is bone dry. This means that unless you're prepared to wait for the driveway to dry after you've pressure washed it, you'll have to make a special trip just to sand it for your customer.

How to Sand

Use your eyes to look at the drive, is it dry? If it's wet you'll have to go home with your tail between your legs.

Once you established the drive is dry, you pour a line of sand from your bag along the area you intend to re-sand.

You next brush the sand into the gaps between the blocks with a broom.

Once you've brushed sand into the entire area, if there is any left over on the drive just sweep it up with a dustpan and brush and place it back in your bag.

If it happens to start raining while you are sanding, try to get all your sand on the drive swept up and into your bag as quickly as possible. If the sand gets wet it will be worthless, that is unless you've own a kiln to dry it in.

Sanding Problems

Sanding can be a real pain and that's primarily because of the unpredictability of the British weather. If it happens to rain while you are sanding a drive you'll have to make another journey out to the customer to finish the job. That means more money spent on petrol for your van and more time travelling.

You'll be surprised at how much sand you'll need, so always take more than you think will be required. It will be a pain to drive out to a customer, sand half of their drive and find you haven’t got enough sand with you to finish the job.

Sand also obviously costs money, so this will be another expense you need to figure into your prices.

It's a good idea to wear some work gloves whilst brushing in the sand with your broom, because on a large area you'll most likely develop blisters on your hands without them.