Interlock Paver Sealing Cost in Ottawa: 2026 Price Guide
Interlock sealing in Ottawa costs about $1 to $3 per square foot for sealing alone. If the joints need new polymeric sand, re-sanding adds about $2 to $5 per square foot, and a full restoration (cleaning, re-sanding and sealing) runs about $8 to $15 per square foot. For a 400 sq ft driveway, sealing alone works out to roughly $400 to $1,200. The final price depends less on the sealer itself than on the condition of the pavers and the work required before the sealer can be applied.
A simple sealing job on a clean, stable surface costs considerably less than a restoration that requires pressure washing, polymeric sand replacement, stain treatment, repairs, and sealing.
Prices vary a lot between companies because “sealing” can mean anything from a single coat of sealer to a full clean, re-sand and seal.
How Much Does Interlock Paver Sealing Cost in Ottawa?
Here is what we list for each scope of work:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Seal only | $1 to $3/sq ft |
| Re-sanding with polymeric sand | $2 to $5/sq ft |
| Steam clean, sand hardening and seal | $3.50 to $5.00/sq ft |
| Full restoration (clean, re-sand, seal) | $8 to $15/sq ft |
| Lift and relay | $10 to $18/sq ft |
Your final price can fall outside these ranges when the job involves extensive stain removal, failing joints, repairs, difficult access, significant weed growth, efflorescence, or other preparation work.
What Does “Sealing” Actually Include?
This is one of the most important questions to ask before comparing prices.
“Sealing” can mean very different things from one contractor to another.
Seal Only
A seal-only service is appropriate when the pavers are already clean, the joints are in good condition, and there is no significant repair work required.
Typical work may include:
- Light cleaning
- Surface preparation
- Sealer application
- Final inspection
This is normally the lowest-cost option.
We list sealing at $1 to $3 per square foot.
Wash and Seal
A wash-and-seal service adds deeper cleaning before the sealer is applied.
This can be appropriate when the pavers have accumulated:
- Dirt
- Algae
- Moss
- Surface staining
- General weathering
A full wash and seal, with steam cleaning, joint sand hardening and sealing, runs about $3.50 to $5.00 per square foot, and small jobs usually carry a minimum charge.
Wash, Re-Sand and Seal
If the joints are low, eroded, or missing sand, cleaning alone is not enough.
The contractor may need to:
- Remove dirt and loose material.
- Clean the pavers and joints.
- Allow the surface to dry properly.
- Install new polymeric sand.
- Allow the sand to cure according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
- Apply the sealer.
Re-sanding is usually priced on top of sealing. We list re-sanding at $2 to $5 per square foot and sealing at $1 to $3, so doing both at those line-item rates comes to about $3 to $8 per square foot.
Some Ottawa contractors explicitly package deep cleaning, polymeric sand replacement, and sealing together, which is why comparing only the advertised “sealing” price can be misleading.
Full Restoration
Restoration is a different scope from ordinary sealing.
A restoration may involve:
- Deep cleaning
- Removal of deteriorated joint material
- New polymeric sand
- Stain treatment
- Re-leveling selected pavers
- Minor repairs
- Edge corrections
- Sealing
A full restoration (cleaning, re-sanding and sealing) runs about $8 to $15 per square foot.
A larger restoration can cost considerably more when pavers need to be lifted and the underlying base needs to be corrected. Lifting and relaying pavers runs about $10 to $18 per square foot, which is why maintenance and restoration should be priced separately.
Ottawa Interlock Sealing Cost Examples
The following examples apply the rates above to common project sizes.
400-Square-Foot Driveway
A 400 sq ft driveway is common for a two-car residential property.
Seal only
- Rate: $1 to $3/sq ft
- Estimated total: $400 to $1,200
Wash and seal
- Rate: $3.50 to $5.00/sq ft (wash, sand hardening and seal)
- Estimated total: $1,400 to $2,000
Wash, re-sand and seal
- Line-item rates: $2 to $5/sq ft re-sanding plus $1 to $3/sq ft sealing
- Estimated total: $1,200 to $3,200
Full restoration
- Rate: $8 to $15/sq ft
- Estimated total: $3,200 to $6,000
These figures may increase if the driveway needs repairs, extensive stain removal, or difficult-access work.
700-Square-Foot Driveway
For a larger driveway:
| Service | Rate used | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Seal only | $1 to $3/sq ft | $700 to $2,100 |
| Sealing plus re-sanding | $3 to $8/sq ft | $2,100 to $5,600 |
| Full restoration | $8 to $15/sq ft | $5,600 to $10,500 |
1,000-Square-Foot Driveway
For a large driveway or combined driveway and parking area:
| Service | Rate used | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Seal only | $1 to $3/sq ft | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Sealing plus re-sanding | $3 to $8/sq ft | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| Full restoration | $8 to $15/sq ft | $8,000 to $15,000 |
Larger areas can sometimes receive a lower effective rate because setup and mobilization costs are spread across more square footage. Conversely, complicated layouts can increase labour even when the total area is large.
How Much Does It Cost to Seal an Interlock Patio in Ottawa?
Patios are generally priced using the same basic square-foot calculation, but their condition and access can be different from driveways.
A 300 sq ft patio at these rates would look like this:
| Service | Rate used | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Seal only | $1 to $3/sq ft | $300 to $900 |
| Sealing plus re-sanding | $3 to $8/sq ft | $900 to $2,400 |
| Full restoration | $8 to $15/sq ft | $2,400 to $4,500 |
Prices vary widely depending on the sealer used and whether joint stabilization is included, so compare the actual scope rather than the price per square foot alone.
A patio with furniture, garden beds, steps, walls, narrow access, or extensive staining may require more labour than a simple open driveway.
How Much Does It Cost to Seal an Interlock Walkway?
Walkways are smaller, but a small project does not necessarily mean a proportionally low final invoice.
There can be fixed costs for:
- Equipment setup
- Travel
- Cleaning
- Surface preparation
- Sealer application
- Cleanup
For example, a 150 sq ft walkway at these rates:
| Service | Rate used | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Seal only | $1 to $3/sq ft | $150 to $450 |
| Sealing plus re-sanding | $3 to $8/sq ft | $450 to $1,200 |
| Full restoration | $8 to $15/sq ft | $1,200 to $2,250 |
A contractor may quote a minimum project price instead of applying a strict per-square-foot calculation to a very small area.
What Determines the Price of Interlock Sealing?
Square footage is only one part of the calculation.
1. Condition of the Pavers
Clean, stable pavers are easier to seal than surfaces covered with:
- Moss
- Algae
- Oil
- Rust
- Efflorescence
- Dirt
- Old sealer
- Heavy organic growth
The more preparation required, the more labour is involved.
2. Condition of the Joints
Look closely at the sand between your pavers.
If the joints are full and stable, sealing may be relatively straightforward.
If the joints are:
- Empty
- Low
- Washed out
- Full of weeds
- Contaminated with dirt
- Breaking down
you may need joint cleaning and new polymeric sand before sealing.
Sealing over badly deteriorated joints does not turn a maintenance problem into a properly restored surface.
3. Existing Sealer
Old sealer can affect the preparation process.
If an existing coating is failing, peeling, cloudy, or incompatible with the new product, additional preparation may be necessary.
Ask the contractor what product they intend to use and whether it is compatible with the existing coating.
4. Type of Sealer
Sealers are not interchangeable.
Depending on the product, the finish may be:
- Natural or matte
- Satin
- Wet-look
- Gloss
The product can also differ in how it is designed to protect the surface and stabilize the joints.
A quote should identify the sealer being used rather than simply saying “premium sealer.”
5. Repairs
If individual pavers have settled or shifted, sealing should not be treated as a substitute for repair.
A contractor may need to lift the affected pavers, correct the underlying base, re-level the area, and reinstall the stones before the surface is cleaned and sealed.
Re-levelling runs about $5 to $15 per square foot, replacing damaged stones about $10 to $30 per stone, and lifting and relaying $10 to $18 per square foot.
Should You Seal, Re-Sand, or Restore Your Interlock?
A simple inspection can help determine the appropriate scope.
Consider sealing only if:
- The pavers are clean.
- The joints are still full.
- There are no significant settlement problems.
- The existing surface is structurally sound.
- You mainly want additional surface protection or a different appearance.
Consider cleaning and sealing if:
- The pavers are dirty or faded.
- There is moderate organic growth.
- The joints are still reasonably intact.
- There are no major repairs required.
Consider re-sanding and sealing if:
- Joint sand is missing.
- Weeds are growing through the joints.
- Joints have washed out.
- Pavers are otherwise stable.
Consider restoration if:
- Sections have sunk.
- Pavers are rocking.
- Edges are spreading.
- The base has failed.
- Drainage is contributing to the problem.
- Significant joint material has deteriorated.
In these situations, restoration should be priced separately from ordinary sealing.
Ottawa Weather and Paver Sealing
Ottawa’s seasonal weather makes surface preparation particularly important.
A sealer should be applied under the conditions specified by its manufacturer. Temperature, moisture, rain, humidity, and the condition of the pavers can affect the application and curing process.
The same applies to polymeric sand.
If new sand is installed, it needs sufficient time and appropriate conditions to cure before the surface is exposed to water or sealed.
For that reason, a contractor should be able to tell you:
- Which sealer they are using.
- Which polymeric sand they are using, if applicable.
- What weather conditions are required.
- How long the surface needs to remain dry.
- When foot traffic can resume.
- When vehicles can return to the driveway.
Avoid choosing a contractor solely because they offer the lowest price per square foot.
When Should You Seal Interlock in Ottawa?
The best timing depends on the product and the condition of the surface, but the contractor should be able to explain why the proposed application date is suitable.
Spring can be useful for cleaning and inspection, but the surface needs to be sufficiently dry for the sealing system being used.
Summer can provide suitable conditions, although very hot surfaces can affect some products.
Early fall can also be suitable if there is enough time for the product to cure before colder weather arrives.
The important factor is not simply the month. It is whether the manufacturer’s application requirements can be met.
How Often Does Interlock Need to Be Sealed?
There is no universal resealing interval that applies to every driveway or patio.
Service life depends on:
- Sealer type
- Traffic
- Exposure to sunlight
- De-icing salt
- Water exposure
- Surface preparation
- Application quality
- Existing coating
Some Ontario contractors advertise sealers lasting about three to five years, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed lifespan for every product or property.
A better approach is to inspect the surface and follow the recommendations for the specific product used.
How to Compare Ottawa Interlock Sealing Quotes
Do not compare quotes based only on the final dollar amount.
Ask each contractor to specify:
1. Square footage
Make sure every contractor is pricing approximately the same area.
2. Cleaning
Ask whether pressure washing or deep cleaning is included.
3. Polymeric sand
Confirm whether existing sand is being left in place, topped up, or completely replaced.
4. Repairs
Ask whether minor repairs are included or charged separately.
5. Sealer
Get the manufacturer and product name.
6. Finish
Confirm whether the result will be matte, satin, wet-look, or gloss.
7. Number of coats
Ask what the manufacturer’s application system requires.
8. Cure time
Ask when the surface can be walked on and when vehicles can return.
9. Warranty
If a warranty is offered, ask what it covers and for how long.
10. Taxes
Confirm whether HST is included in the quoted price.
A quote that includes cleaning, re-sanding, sealing and minor preparation is not directly comparable with a cheaper per-square-foot quote for sealer application only.
Is Interlock Sealing Worth It?
That depends on the condition of the surface and what you want the maintenance work to accomplish.
Sealing can make sense when the pavers are already in good condition and you want to improve their appearance or add protection.
It is less useful to treat sealing as a solution for structural problems.
If pavers are sinking, joints are failing, or drainage is causing repeated problems, those issues should be addressed first.
In other words:
Seal a sound surface to maintain it. Repair a damaged surface before sealing it.
Is DIY Interlock Sealing Cheaper?
DIY sealing can reduce labour costs, but the equipment and preparation requirements should not be underestimated.
You may need:
- Pressure-washing equipment
- Cleaning products
- Polymeric sand
- Application tools
- Sealer
- Protective equipment
- Suitable weather conditions
- Time for cleaning and drying
The biggest DIY mistake is often applying sealer before the surface is properly cleaned and dry.
Another common problem is sealing over joints that need to be replaced.
If the preparation is done incorrectly, the finished surface can be difficult and expensive to correct.
Ottawa Interlock Sealing Cost: Quick Budget Guide
For a homeowner who simply wants a starting point, here are totals at the rates in this guide:
| Project | Estimated total |
|---|---|
| 400 sq ft seal only | $400 to $1,200 |
| 400 sq ft sealing plus re-sanding | $1,200 to $3,200 |
| 700 sq ft sealing plus re-sanding | $2,100 to $5,600 |
| 1,000 sq ft sealing plus re-sanding | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| 300 sq ft patio, sealing plus re-sanding | $900 to $2,400 |
| 150 sq ft walkway, sealing plus re-sanding | $450 to $1,200 |
These totals apply the rates in this guide to the area shown. Your actual quote depends on the condition of your pavers and joints.