Interlock Sealing & Maintenance

Interlock sealing and maintenance is the essential ongoing service that preserves the appearance, structural integrity, and longevity of paver surfaces in Metro Vancouver — a region where the combination of 1,200+ mm of annual rainfall, persistent dampness, mild temperatures that sustain biological growth year-round, and acidic rainfall from the marine environment creates conditions that degrade unprotected paver surfaces faster than in almost any other Canadian market.

A sealed and properly maintained paver driveway, patio, or walkway will look better, last longer, resist staining, and require less frequent repair than an unsealed surface exposed to the same conditions.

Paver sealing involves applying a protective coating to the surface of cleaned pavers and the polymeric sand in the joints. Sealers fall into two main categories: film-forming sealers (which create a visible coating on the paver surface, enhancing colour and creating a wet-look or glossy finish) and penetrating sealers (which absorb into the paver without changing the surface appearance and provide protection from within).

In Metro Vancouver's wet climate, penetrating sealers are generally preferred for two reasons: they allow moisture vapour to escape from the paver (preventing the whitish efflorescence bloom that occurs when trapped moisture carries mineral salts to the surface), and they do not create a surface film that can become slippery when wet — a critical safety consideration for driveways and walkways that are wet for much of the year.

High-quality penetrating sealers (such as Techniseal Pro or SealMaster) provide protection against oil and grease staining, inhibit moss, algae, and lichen growth, stabilize joint sand, and resist the colour fading caused by UV exposure. Film-forming sealers are appropriate for covered patios and low-traffic areas where the enhanced colour and sheen are desired and slip risk is manageable.

Polymeric sand replacement is a core component of interlock maintenance. Polymeric sand — the specially formulated sand swept into paver joints that hardens to resist weed growth, insect intrusion, and erosion — degrades over time due to UV exposure, heavy rain, freeze-thaw cycling, and traffic. In Metro Vancouver, where heavy rainfall washes conventional joint sand out of pavers within months, high-performance polymeric sand rated for wet climates is essential.

Products like Techniseal HP Nextgel and Alliance Gator Maxx G2 are formulated to resist washout from heavy rain and to cure even in damp conditions — a critical feature in Vancouver where waiting for a fully dry installation window can be challenging. Polymeric sand should be replaced every 3-5 years on residential patios and walkways, and every 2-3 years on driveways subjected to heavier traffic and turning forces.

Annual maintenance for paver surfaces in Metro Vancouver should include: spring cleaning with a pressure washer at 1,500-2,000 PSI to remove winter moss, algae, and organic debris; inspection of joint sand condition and spot re-sanding where needed; checking for and correcting any settled or shifted pavers before the problem spreads; clearing drainage channels and ensuring water flows away from the house foundation; and applying moss and algae preventive treatment (zinc sulphate granules or commercial paver treatments) in fall before the wet season begins.

WorkSafeBC coverage should be confirmed for all contractors. Interlock sealing and maintenance in Metro Vancouver typically costs $3 to $8 per square foot, depending on the service scope (cleaning only, cleaning and sealing, or full maintenance including joint sand replacement), paver surface area, and current condition of the pavers.