The basics
What is paver restoration?
Interlock is built to be repaired. Restoration fixes what has shifted, cleans what has built up, and protects the surface, using the pavers you already own.
How interlock wears out
Interlocking pavers sit on a compacted gravel base with a thin bedding layer on top. Depending on who installed it, that layer is bedding sand, HPB (high performance bedding) or limestone screenings. The gaps between the pavers are packed with joint sand, and that sand is what locks everything together.
Over the years, rain and pressure from tires wash the joint sand out. Weeds, moss and ants move into the gaps. Ontario freeze and thaw cycles move the base, so sections sink or heave. Dirt, tire marks and sun dull the colour.
The pavers themselves are usually fine. It is everything around them that needs attention.
Why you might need it
- Sunken or raised spots that hold water or catch a toe
- Weeds and moss you pull every few weeks
- Empty or crumbling joints between the stones
- Ant hills pushing sand onto the surface
- Edges that have spread or pulled away
- Oil, rust or leaf stains, and colour that looks washed out
Restore or replace
Why restore instead of replace?
It usually costs much less
You are paying for labour and sand, not for tearing out and buying a whole new driveway, walkway or patio.
You keep your stone
The pavers you chose are cleaned and relaid. Only damaged pieces are swapped.
It fixes the cause
Relevelling corrects the base under the low spots, so the dip does not come straight back.
It protects what you paid for
Fresh joint sand and a sealer help keep out water, weeds, salt and stains.
Step by step
How a restoration goes
Look it over
We walk the area with you, find the low spots, loose edges and stains, and give you a quote for what it actually needs.
Lift and relay
Where the surface has sunk or heaved, the pavers come up, the base is corrected and compacted, and the same pavers go back down level.
Wash
The whole surface is pressure washed to clear dirt, moss, weeds and the old joint material.
Re-sand
New polymeric sand is swept into every joint, then vibrated down into the joints with a compactor so the sand settles and compacts properly. After that we wet it, so it hardens and holds the pavers tight.
Seal
Once everything is dry, a sealer goes on to protect against stains, salt and fading. We will tell you how long to stay off it.
Not every job needs every step
Some surfaces only need a wash and fresh sand. Others need a few sections lifted first. We quote what your stone needs and nothing extra.
Free quote
Ready to see yours restored?
Tell us what you have (driveway, walkway, patio, steps), roughly how big it is, and what is bothering you about it. It takes about a minute.
Prefer email? Write to gotopavers@gmail.com