Joint sand is structural
The sand between pavers is not decoration. It transfers load between units and locks the whole surface into a single stable field. Remove it and each paver becomes an individual piece free to rock, shift and sink.
Cleaning necessarily removes it
Any cleaning method strong enough to remove growth and staining from paver faces will also flush sand out of the joints. That is unavoidable. The question is whether the company replacing it is part of the job or not.
What happens if it is not replaced
Pavers shift and become uneven, creating trip edges. Water penetrates to the base layer and washes out the bedding, causing sinking and pooling. Weeds and ants colonise the open joints. All of this within a season or two.
Polymeric sand and how it differs
Polymeric sand contains a binder that sets when wetted, resisting washout and weed growth far better than plain sand. It must be installed on a completely dry surface and activated with a specific watering process. Rushed installation causes haze on the paver faces that is difficult to remove.
Sealing: optional, and not always right
Sealing deepens colour and adds stain resistance, but it also traps any moisture in the pavers and needs redoing every few years. On a shaded patio that stays damp it can cause more problems than it solves. It is a genuine choice, not an automatic upsell.
Key points
Joint sand is structural
The sand between pavers is not decoration. It transfers load between units and locks the whole surface into a single stable field. Remove it and each paver becomes an individual piece free to rock, shift and sink.
Sealing: optional, and not always right
Sealing deepens colour and adds stain resistance, but it also traps any moisture in the pavers and needs redoing every few years. On a shaded patio that stays damp it can cause more problems than it solves. It is a genuine choice, not an automatic upsell.