I've Used Kiln Dried Sand for Laying Pavers

[iMacF]

I've just spent the weekend laying a 9m2, 600x600x20mm slab patio, along with a 5 meter pathway. It was my first time taking on a landscaping project like this.

When purchasing the materials, I bought kiln dried paving sand from Wickes. I read that it was 'suitable for block paving and patio slab joints', which made me believe it was the right sand for laying the pavers on.

I've just come to realise this isn't the case, and I should have used sharp sand, which I thought was only to be used when creating concrete.

That being said, the patio does feel firm. There are about 45 tiles laid, and only two of them feel a bit loose.

What would you advise? Obviously, I don't want to pull the whole patio up, but I am concerned about potential issues further down the line having not used the right sand for laying the pavers on.

Thanks

 

[^woody^]

Take it up. You'll be in trouble with it gets wet and when the grains start to move.

 

[lowster]

It depends on whether you mixed the sand with cement to bed the slabs? If so, I can't see it being a problem, it will still bind as with any other loose mortar. If not then as Woody said, may be best to re-lay them.
Personally as you've done all the work, I'd just keep tabs on it, when/if it starts to fail I'd look at re-doing it then...

 

[Notch7]

I read that it was 'suitable for block paving and patio slab joints', which made me believe it was the right sand for laying the pavers on.

as you’ve discovered it’s only used for joints.

 

[Notch7]

Personally as you've done all the work, I'd just keep tabs on it, when/if it starts to fail I'd look at re-doing

seems a good pragmatic solution to me

 

[Munroast]

it must have cost a fortune - I refuse to buy the stuff just for the joints, I just dry some sand out in the sun over a few days.

As to what you have done, as long as you have well tamped them down when laying I think it will be fine. (but that is a guess I have never seen anyone do that before)