Should I clean joints before sealing my Vancouver driveway?

Yes, absolutely clean the joints before sealing your Vancouver driveway. Proper joint preparation is critical for sealer adhesion and long-term performance, especially in Metro Vancouver's wet climate where moss, algae, and debris accumulate in paver joints year-round.

Joint cleaning removes contaminants that prevent proper sealer penetration. Over time, paver joints collect organic matter, moss spores, algae, dirt, and degraded polymeric sand that create a barrier between the sealer and the paver surface. If you seal over dirty joints, the sealer won't bond properly to the pavers along the joint edges, leading to premature peeling, white hazing, and an uneven appearance that's extremely difficult to fix. This is particularly important for driveways because vehicle traffic and tire turning put stress on the joint areas where poor sealer adhesion shows first.

Start with pressure washing the entire driveway surface and joints. Use a pressure washer between 1,500-2,500 PSI with a rotating surface cleaner attachment to avoid striping the paver surface. Pay special attention to the joints — use a narrow spray tip to blast out loose sand, moss, and debris. Don't exceed 2,500 PSI as higher pressure can damage paver surfaces and edges. After pressure washing, inspect the joints for remaining polymeric sand. If the existing polymeric sand is still intact and well-bonded (hard and stable), you can seal over it. If it's loose, cracked, or mostly washed out, you'll need to remove it completely and apply fresh polymeric sand before sealing.

For Vancouver driveways, joint sand replenishment is often necessary before sealing. Metro Vancouver's heavy rainfall (over 1,200mm annually) gradually erodes even high-quality polymeric sand from driveway joints. If your joints are more than 50% empty or the remaining sand is loose and crumbly, remove all the old sand with a joint scraper or oscillating tool, clean the joints thoroughly, and apply fresh polymeric sand. Use premium polymeric sand from Techniseal, Alliance, or Sakrete — these perform significantly better than budget alternatives in Vancouver's wet conditions. Allow the new polymeric sand to cure for 24-48 hours in dry conditions before sealing.

Timing is crucial in Metro Vancouver's climate. Clean joints and apply sealer during a dry weather window of at least 48 hours — typically between May and October. Avoid the November-to-March rainy season when consistent dry conditions are rare. The pavers must be completely dry before sealer application, and you need 24 hours of dry weather after sealing for proper curing. Sealing wet or damp pavers traps moisture beneath the sealer film, causing white hazing and poor adhesion.

Hire a professional for driveway sealing if you're unsure about joint condition or proper preparation. Driveways represent a significant investment (typically $10,000-$24,000 installed in Metro Vancouver), and improper sealing can damage the appearance permanently. Professional sealers have the experience to assess joint sand condition, the equipment for thorough cleaning, and access to commercial-grade sealers that outperform consumer products. A professional sealing job on a 600 sq ft driveway typically runs $1,800-$3,500 including cleaning and joint sand replenishment if needed.

Need help finding an interlock contractor for professional driveway sealing? Vancouver Interlock can match you with experienced hardscape professionals who understand Metro Vancouver's climate challenges.