How often do Vancouver paver joints need resanding?

In Metro Vancouver's wet climate, paver joints typically need resanding every 3-5 years — noticeably more often than the 5-8 year intervals common in drier parts of Canada.

The reason comes down to rainfall. Vancouver receives over 1,200mm of rain annually, with the North Shore exceeding 2,000mm, and roughly 70% of that falls between October and March in sustained, heavy events. Even high-quality polymeric sand gradually breaks down under this kind of repeated saturation and surface runoff. Standard jointing sand (non-polymeric) washes out far faster — sometimes within a single rainy season — which is why polymeric sand is essentially mandatory for any Metro Vancouver installation.

How to tell when your joints need attention is more useful than watching the calendar. Look for joints that appear visibly empty or shallow (you should see sand within 3-5mm of the paver surface), pavers that rock or shift slightly underfoot, moss or weeds growing through the joints, or water pooling on the surface rather than draining away. Any of these signs means it's time to resand, regardless of how long it's been.

What Affects How Quickly Sand Degrades

Shaded and north-facing installations lose sand faster because persistent moisture never fully dries out between rain events, accelerating the breakdown of the polymeric binder. Driveways also need more frequent attention than patios — vehicle traffic grinds joint sand down from below through paver movement, and the higher traffic load accelerates lateral paver shifting that opens joints wider over time.

The quality of the original polymeric sand installation matters enormously. Sand that was improperly activated (flooded rather than misted, or rained on before curing) never hardens correctly and degrades quickly. Sand that was applied over dirty or wet pavers bonds poorly. A well-executed original installation using a premium product like Techniseal HP Polymeric Sand or Alliance Gator Sand will genuinely outlast a budget product applied carelessly.

Doing It Yourself

Resanding is one of the most practical DIY maintenance tasks for Metro Vancouver homeowners. The process is straightforward: sweep or blow out any loose existing sand and debris, clean the surface thoroughly (a pressure washer at 1,500-2,000 PSI works well — use a rotating surface cleaner attachment to avoid striping), let the pavers dry completely for at least 48 hours, sweep polymeric sand into the joints in multiple passes, compact lightly with a plate compactor using a rubber pad to protect the paver surface, then activate with a fine mist — not a flood. Do this in dry weather with no rain forecast for at least 24 hours after activation.

Timing matters in Metro Vancouver. The practical window for resanding is May through September when you can reliably get a 48-72 hour dry stretch. Attempting resanding in November is possible but requires patience and a close eye on the forecast.

One important note: if your joints are empty because of a drainage problem beneath the pavers — water washing through the base rather than shedding off the surface — resanding alone won't solve the issue. You'll be refilling the same joints every year. If you're seeing sand loss combined with pavers that are settling or shifting, the base likely needs professional attention before resanding makes sense.

Need help finding a hardscape professional for a more significant repair or full resanding service? Vancouver Interlock can match you with experienced local contractors at no cost.