What is River Sand?
River sand is a natural, coarse material extracted from riverbeds. It formed over a long period of time using river water erodes rocks. It consists mainly of quartz, which gives it a slightly rough texture. The sand is known for its natural and rugged quality.
- River sand’s rounded and smooth granules make it easier to work with.
- River sand has low permeability due to its small pores.
- River sand has high cohesiveness and bearing capacity.
- River sand is more rounded than crushed or produced sand, affecting its strength and ability to withstand specific pressures.
- River sand gradation ensures better packing and reduces segregation in concrete mixes by providing a balanced particle size distribution.
What Can River Sand Be Used For in Home Construction
River sand is versatile in homebuilding and finds applications in different stages of construction:
- Concrete and Mortar Production: The rounded grains of river sand create a more workable and cohesive mixture, ideal for concrete and mortar.
- Plastering: River sand’s texture and consistency are perfect for a smooth plaster application, presenting an excellent finish to walls.
- Flooring: It’s often used as the underlay for flooring because it compacts, levels, and provides a stable base.
- Landscaping: Due to its drainage properties, river sand is great for gardening and landscaping, promoting water flow and plant growth.
- Filtration Systems: Its variety of grain sizes and its ability to trap impurities make it useful for on-site wastewater treatment or septic systems.
- Pool Installation: River sand can serve as a compact base layer beneath pools to ensure a flat and resilient surface.
Paving: River sand can act as a flexible yet stable bed material when setting pavers for pathways and terraces.