How often should Ottawa pavers be resanded?

Polymeric sand in an Ottawa paver patio typically needs to be refreshed every 3 to 5 years, though the actual timeline depends heavily on your specific conditions. Patios exposed to heavy rainfall, aggressive snowmelt runoff, or high foot traffic will need attention on the shorter end of that range.

Ottawa's climate makes this maintenance task more critical than it would be in milder parts of Canada. The city's 50-plus freeze-thaw cycles per winter, combined with significant spring snowmelt and summer thunderstorms, are relentless at eroding joint material. Regular sand washes out within a single season in Ottawa — which is exactly why polymeric sand is non-negotiable here in the first place. Even quality polymeric sand gradually breaks down as the polymer binders degrade from UV exposure and repeated freeze-thaw stress.

The signs that your patio needs resanding are fairly easy to spot. If you can see visible gaps or voids in the joints, if weeds are sprouting through, if ants have started building colonies beneath the pavers, or if the joint material crumbles when you press it, it is time to resand. Do not wait until the joints are completely empty — once pavers start shifting from lack of lateral support, you may be looking at relevelling work on top of resanding.

The process itself is manageable as a DIY project for most homeowners. Start by thoroughly cleaning the patio surface with a pressure washer to remove debris, moss, and old sand remnants — let it dry completely for at least 24 to 48 hours before applying new polymeric sand. Pour the sand over the surface, sweep it into the joints with a push broom, and repeat until the joints are filled to within about 3 millimetres of the paver surface. Compact lightly with a plate compactor if you have access to one, then activate the polymers by misting the entire surface with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid doing this in direct hot sun or when rain is forecast within 24 hours.

One important caution specific to Ottawa: if your patio sits on Leda clay and you are noticing significant joint erosion alongside uneven or rocking pavers, resanding alone will not solve the problem. Clay movement can undermine the granular base over time, and persistent shifting pavers may indicate a drainage or base issue that needs professional assessment before you invest in new sand.

Applying a quality paver sealer after resanding — roughly every 3 to 4 years — also helps extend the life of the polymeric sand by protecting the surface from UV degradation and reducing water penetration into the joints.