River Sand Gauteng
Posted by      02/18/2026 17:04:51     Sand    Comments 0
River Sand Gauteng

River Sand Gauteng: What It Is, Uses, Quality & Where to Get It

A practical guide for builders, contractors and DIY customers in Gauteng: what river sand is, where it works best (concrete, plastering, paving), how to judge quality (washed, clean, fine, colour) and how delivery typically works in Johannesburg, Pretoria/Tshwane, Midrand, Centurion, Ekurhuleni and the West Rand.

Cloete’s Sand & Stone • Since 1982  |  Updated: 18 Feb 2026

Quick answer: River sand is natural, water-worn sand (often washed and screened) used widely for plastering, mortar, paving bedding and many concrete mixes. For best results, choose washed, clean river sand with a consistent, fine-to-medium grading.

If you’re comparing options, focus on cleanliness, grading and consistent supply — not just “sand is sand”.

What is river sand?

River sand is naturally occurring sand sourced from riverbeds and riverbanks. The grains have been shaped by moving water over time, so they’re typically smooth and rounded. In building work, river sand is valued because it’s workable, mixes well with cement and can produce a clean, neat finish when the sand is properly washed and screened.

What is river sand used for?
Most commonly: plastering, bricklaying mortar, paving bedding and many concrete mixes. The exact best use depends on grading (fine vs medium) and cleanliness (washed vs unwashed).

What is river sand used for?

People search for river sand uses because it covers a lot of site work. Below are the most common Gauteng applications, plus what to look out for so you don’t get avoidable defects later.

River sand for plastering

Fine, clean river sand helps produce a smoother finish and more consistent trowel feel.

  • Prefer washed river sand for better bonding and fewer impurities.
  • Consistent grading reduces over-watering and shrinkage cracking risk.
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River sand for concrete

River sand is used as the fine aggregate in many concrete mixes, helping fill voids between stone and improving workability.

  • Choose clean sand (low clay/silt) to avoid weakening the mix.
  • Match sand grading to the job (too fine can increase cement demand; too coarse can reduce finish quality).

River sand for paving

Often used as a bedding layer under pavers and sometimes for joint filling (depending on paving type and spec).

  • Use a consistent grading for easier levelling and compaction.
  • For joints, follow your paver spec (some require jointing sand/polymeric sand).

River sand for construction (general)

River sand is widely used for mortar, screeds and general site mixing because it’s easy to handle and spreads well.

  • Washed + screened = fewer surprises (debris, organics, excessive fines).
  • Consistency matters most when you need repeatable results across multiple loads.
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River sand and cement mix (practical tips)

Searches like river sand cement mix usually come from site teams trying to avoid mixes that are too wet, too harsh or inconsistent from one batch to the next. While final ratios should follow your engineer/spec, these practical tips improve outcomes on typical building work:

Application Why river sand works On-site tip
Plastering Fine texture supports smoother finishes. Add water gradually; avoid “soupy” mixes that increase shrinkage.
Bricklaying mortar Workable and easy to spread. Keep batches consistent; don’t retemper once setting starts.
Concrete mixes Fills voids between stone; improves workability. Use clean sand; excessive silt/clay can reduce strength.
Screeds / bedding Levels well and compacts evenly when graded right. Moisture control is key: slightly damp compacts best.
Pro tip: Many “mix problems” are really sand consistency problems. If one load is clean and the next is silty, your water demand changes — and so does your finish.

River sand vs building sand and plaster sand

Comparison searches are common — building sand vs river sand, river sand vs plaster sand and sharp sand vs river sand. Here’s a simple, practical breakdown.

Sand type Texture Best used for Choose it when…
River sand Smooth, rounded grains (often washed/screened) Plastering, mortar, paving bedding, many concrete mixes You want a cleaner sand and consistent workability
Building sand Often coarser; may contain more fines/clay General mortar / bricklaying (depending on spec) You need a general-purpose sand and finish quality is less critical
Plaster sand Fine and consistently graded Smooth plaster finishes You need predictable finishing and low shrinkage risk
Sharp sand Angular, coarser Some concrete / screeds / drainage applications You want bite/locking from angular particles
M sand (manufactured) Crushed stone fines; angular and controlled grading Concrete/mortar depending on spec You want factory-controlled grading (confirm suitability for plaster finish)

River sand quality: colour, washed, clean & fine

Quality searches like washed river sand, fine river sand, clean river sand and river sand colour usually mean one thing: people want sand that performs consistently and doesn’t cause cracks, weak bonding or dirty finishes.

Washed river sand
Washing helps remove excess clay, silt and organics. This improves bonding with cement and reduces unexpected water demand (a common cause of shrinkage cracking and patchy finishes).
Clean river sand
“Clean” means low contamination: minimal debris, roots, and excessive fines. Cleaner sand generally produces more reliable plaster and mortar.
Fine river sand
Fine river sand is often preferred for plastering and neat finishes. For bedding layers and some concrete, a slightly coarser grading may be better. Ask for the sand that matches your application.
River sand colour
Colour varies from light beige to tan depending on mineral content and fines. Consistent colour is often a good sign of consistent supply, but cleanliness and grading matter more than colour alone.

Quick on-site check (simple jar test)

If you’re unsure about a load, this quick check can help identify excess silt/clay:

  1. Half-fill a clear jar with sand and add clean water.
  2. Shake well and let it settle for 30–60 minutes.
  3. If you see a thick, cloudy layer sitting above the sand, that may indicate higher fines/silt content.
For consistent site outcomes, the goal is repeatable loads: washed, screened, and graded for the job.

River sand delivery Gauteng & where to buy

Searches like river sand delivery, river sand suppliers and where to buy river sand near me are usually urgent — the crew is waiting and the project can’t stall. Cloete’s supplies river sand across Gauteng, including:

  • Johannesburg (surrounding areas included)
  • Pretoria / Tshwane
  • Midrand and Centurion
  • Ekurhuleni (East Rand)
  • West Rand

Ordering note: Delivery is typically arranged in load sizes that suit your site access and quantity needs (for example, a ±3 m³ small tipper load for tighter access).

To see the current price and order options, visit the product page: .

River Sand (Gauteng) — FAQs

Is river sand good for plastering?
Yes — especially fine, washed river sand. Clean sand improves bonding and helps achieve smoother finishes.
Can I use river sand for concrete?
Often yes. River sand is commonly used as the fine aggregate in concrete mixes. For structural work, follow your mix design/spec and use clean sand with low contamination.
What’s the difference between river sand and building sand?
River sand is typically cleaner and smoother (often washed/screened). Building sand can be coarser and may contain more fines/clay depending on the source. Choose based on finish requirements and spec.
What does “washed river sand” mean?
It means the sand has been processed to remove excess silt, clay and organics. This helps improve cement bonding and keeps mixes more consistent.
What colour should river sand be?
River sand colour can vary (light beige to tan). Consistent colour can be a good sign of consistent supply, but cleanliness and grading matter more than colour alone.
Do you deliver river sand across Gauteng?
Yes — Johannesburg, Pretoria/Tshwane, Midrand, Centurion, Ekurhuleni (East Rand) and the West Rand.
I searched “riversand” — is that the same thing?
Yes. “riversand” is a common spelling variant people use when searching online.
How do I know if my sand is too silty?
Do a simple jar test (sand + water). Excessive cloudy fines settling as a thick top layer may indicate higher silt/clay content. Washed, screened sand typically performs more consistently.

Note: This guide is educational. Always follow your engineer’s mix design/spec for structural work and confirm sand suitability for your application.

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