Sealing is the step that protects all the work that goes into cleaning and re-sanding interlock. But sealer wears down over time, especially on a driveway that sees daily traffic, summer sun and a winter’s worth of road salt. So how do you know when it’s time to do it again?
Signs your interlock needs re-sealing
- The colour has faded. If your pavers look chalky or washed-out compared to when they were sealed, the sealer is wearing thin.
- Water soaks in instead of beading. Splash some water on the surface. If it darkens the stone right away instead of sitting on top, the protection is mostly gone.
- Weeds are back in the joints. Sealer helps hold polymeric sand in place. When weeds and ants return, the joints usually need attention too.
- Stains are setting in. Oil drips, leaf tannins and rust marks that used to wipe away are suddenly sticking.
How often is typical?
Most driveways do well with re-sealing every two to three years. Patios and walkways that see less traffic and no vehicles can often go longer. Sun exposure, shade and moss, and how much salt goes down in winter all play a part, so it’s worth looking at your pavers each spring.
The best time of year to seal
In Oakville and across southern Ontario, sealing season runs roughly from late spring to early fall. Sealer and polymeric sand both need dry conditions and mild temperatures to cure. That means a stretch of dry days with no rain in the forecast, and pavers that have fully dried out after cleaning.
Why prep matters more than the sealer
A sealer is only as good as the surface under it. Sealing over dirt, efflorescence or loose joint sand locks the problems in and leads to cloudy patches and peeling. A proper restoration cleans the surface thoroughly, clears and re-fills the joints, re-levels any sunken pavers, and only then applies the sealer.
Not sure if yours is due? Send us a few photos and we’ll give you an honest answer, even if the answer is “not yet.”