Advice needed re brick patio maintenance

[maddy]

I've got a patio made of bricks set in sand. It has been hard to know how to maintain because the sand is constantly washing out from between the bricks, causing the bricks to sink. Dirt that finds its way into the crevices between bricks becomes a magnet for moss and weeds.

As one of my pre-winter projects, I painstakingly dug everything out from between the bricks. Now I need to refill the gaps with something. I've been studying various articles on the internet, and most recommend simply sweeping sand over the top of the patio to fill the spaces. I'm gathering that the advantage of sand is that it allows water to drain. I'm not sure that's an advantage in my case because there's so much water (I'm on the side of a hill), that the sand is getting washed out and the spaces are getting filled with dirt. My patio is sloped away from the house, so under normal circumstances I should need for water to drain straight down.

I have heard about products that you sweep over the top of the patio and then wet with a sprayer. I don't know whether they're intended to give you a mortar-like result or simply a firmer, more stable sand-pack. Has anyone ever used such a product? Any advice on any other product or method I might consider?

[chickenista]

I have always seen concrete or mortar mix swept in between the cracks and then wet down and allowed to set.
When I was a kid that was how my dad did it.
At one of the houses, that patio/walkway is still there. And that was a looong time ago.

[BigM]

i like the PP idea. We use sand once a year. Dump it on top and use a push broom to sweep it in.

[sand flea]

You'll want special sand - hydrophilic, I think it's called. it still lets water drain through, but doesn't wash away.

I have a large patio with pavers. And the only way to keep up with the weeds and moss is round up, twice a year. When I clean, sometimes I'll use a high pressure nozzle on the hose, and that also helps.

[Hapua1975]

You can get a spray in sealer that you put on the joints once you sand them. It sets up like a rock. My parents had it done on their patio. I am guessing that it is some type of epoxy based product.