# Interlock Polymeric Sand, Pressure Specs & When to Reseal > Interlock cleaning in Toronto: safe pressure and nozzle specs, polymeric sand re-sanding, sealer choices and the signs it is time to reseal your pavers. URL: https://powerpressurewashingtoronto.ca/blog/interlock-polymeric-sand-pressure-specs-reseal/ Last-Modified: 2026-08-21 Author: Darius Volkov Interlocking stone is everywhere in the GTA, from Leaside driveways to Angus Glen patios. It looks great when it is tight and clean. After a few Toronto winters, though, most interlock shows the same symptoms: empty joints, weeds, ant hills, a grey film and a few pavers that rock underfoot. The fix is not just cleaning. It is cleaning, re-sanding and sealing, done in the right order and with the right pressure. ## Why Interlock Joints Fail in Toronto The sand in the joints is what makes interlock work. It locks pavers together and spreads load across the surface. Toronto’s freeze-thaw cycles attack it constantly. Water seeps into the joints, freezes, expands and pushes sand out. Spring melt washes more away. Road salt adds white efflorescence on top. Once joints open up, weeds and ants move in, water reaches the base and pavers start to shift. That is why a spring check of your joints matters more than how the surface looks. ## Pressure and Nozzle Specs That Protect Pavers The biggest risk to interlock during cleaning is the cleaning itself. Here is what we use and why: ![Rotary surface cleaner on pavers with 25-degree and turbo nozzle tips](/images/content/rotary-surface-cleaner-hood-on-interlock-pavers-ne.webp) | Tool | Where we use it | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Rotary surface cleaner | Main field of the driveway or patio | Even cleaning at a fixed height, no stripes, minimal joint disturbance | | 25-degree nozzle | Borders, edges, steps | Controlled fan for detail work | | 40-degree nozzle | Rinsing and delicate pavers | Wide, gentle spray | | Turbo tip | Isolated stubborn spots only | Rotating jet, used sparingly on dense pavers | | 0-degree tip | Never on interlock | Gouges paver faces | The goal is to clean the face of the paver, not dig into the joint. Some sand will come out, and that is fine, because we replace it the same day. > **Watch out for** > > A contractor who cleans your interlock and leaves without re-sanding. Open joints after cleaning are more vulnerable than before. ## Polymeric Sand: How It Bonds and Why It Fails Polymeric sand is fine sand mixed with polymer binders. After it is swept into dry joints and compacted, a light mist of water activates the binders and the sand hardens into a flexible, firm joint. It resists washout, discourages weeds and keeps ants from tunnelling. It is not permanent. Years of freeze-thaw, UV and traffic break the bond down, and the joint starts to crumble. When you can scratch sand out with a fingernail, or weeds are back, it is time to replace it. The key to a good install is a dry surface. Polymeric sand swept onto damp pavers can stick to the faces and leave a haze. That is why we clean in the morning, let the pavers dry and re-sand later in the day. ## Sealer Options Sealing protects the paver surface from stains, slows fading and helps the joint sand last longer. ![Wet-look sealer beside natural matte penetrating sealer on pavers](/images/content/side-by-side-interlock-pavers-with-wet-look-acryli.webp) - **Water-based penetrating sealer** keeps a natural, matte look. It soaks into the paver and lets moisture escape, which suits most driveways. - **Solvent acrylic wet-look sealer** deepens colour and adds a light sheen. Popular on patios and front walks where appearance matters most. ## When to Reseal: Five Signs 1. Joint sand is low or crumbling after winter 2. Weeds or ants are appearing between pavers 3. Colours have faded or look chalky 4. Water soaks in instead of beading on the surface 5. White efflorescence keeps returning ## Pricing and Same-Visit Service Full service, meaning clean, polymeric re-sand and seal, runs **$3.50-$5.50 per square foot** depending on condition, with a $450 minimum. Most residential driveways and patios land between $450 and $1,200. We do all three steps in one visit, weather permitting. Full details are on our interlocking stone cleaning [/interlocking-stone-cleaning-toronto/ →](/interlocking-stone-cleaning-toronto/) page. If your driveway is poured concrete rather than pavers, see driveway cleaning [/driveway-cleaning-toronto/ →](/driveway-cleaning-toronto/) and our guide to removing road salt stains [/blog/remove-road-salt-stains-toronto-driveway/ →](/blog/remove-road-salt-stains-toronto-driveway/) . For the rest of the property, pressure washing [/pressure-washing-toronto/ →](/pressure-washing-toronto/) covers every surface, and power washing vs pressure washing vs soft washing [/blog/power-washing-vs-pressure-washing-vs-soft-washing/ →](/blog/power-washing-vs-pressure-washing-vs-soft-washing/) explains which method suits each one. We restore interlock as part of our GTA power and pressure washing [/ →](/) work, including large driveways in Angus Glen and Cathedraltown through our Markham [/service-areas/markham/ →](/service-areas/markham/) crew. **Joints washing out?** Request a free written quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) and we will price clean, re-sand and seal per square foot. Got questions? ## Questions About This Topic ### How often should interlock be resealed? Most Toronto driveways and patios benefit from resealing every two to four years, depending on traffic, sun exposure and the sealer used. ### Can pressure washing ruin pavers? Yes. A narrow tip held close gouges paver faces and blasts out joint sand, which leads to weeds, shifting and frost heave. A rotary surface cleaner at controlled pressure avoids that. ### How long before I can drive on resealed interlock? Usually 24-48 hours, depending on sealer type and temperature. You can normally walk on it the next day. ## More From the Blog ![Hot-water power washing, cold-water pressure washing and soft washing on different surfaces of a Toronto home](/images/featured/three-cleaning-methods-side-by-side-hot-water-powe.webp) Residential Exterior Care October 14, 2026 ### Power Washing vs Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing: Which One Your Toronto Home Needs Hot-water power washing, cold-water pressure washing or low-pressure soft washing? How Toronto homeowners match the method to concrete, brick, vinyl and shingles. Read article [Power Washing vs Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing: Which One Your Toronto Home Needs →](/blog/power-washing-vs-pressure-washing-vs-soft-washing/) ![Toronto concrete driveway with road salt lines, half cleaned with a hot-water surface cleaner](/images/featured/toronto-concrete-driveway-with-white-road-salt-eff.webp) Residential Exterior Care October 1, 2026 ### How to Remove Road Salt Stains from a Toronto Driveway Without Damaging Concrete Why road salt leaves white efflorescence on Toronto driveways, why cold water fails, and how hot-water power washing lifts chloride without etching concrete. Read article [How to Remove Road Salt Stains from a Toronto Driveway Without Damaging Concrete →](/blog/remove-road-salt-stains-toronto-driveway/) ![Toronto roof under mature maples with black streaks and moss being soft washed](/images/featured/toronto-house-roof-under-mature-maple-trees-with-b.webp) Residential Exterior Care September 18, 2026 ### The Complete Guide to Soft Washing a Toronto Roof: Moss, Algae and Black Streaks How soft washing removes moss, algae and Gloeocapsa magma black streaks from Toronto roofs without pressure, protecting shingles, gutters and gardens. Read article [The Complete Guide to Soft Washing a Toronto Roof: Moss, Algae and Black Streaks →](/blog/soft-washing-toronto-roof-moss-algae-black-streaks/) ![](/images/hero/power-washing-crew-in-deep-lake-blue-shirts-beside.webp) Phone answered 24/7 · Weekend bookings standard ## Get a Written Quote for Every Surface Hot water, cold pressure or soft wash, matched to your surface. Wash water recovered. Price in writing before any work. Request a Free Written Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Call (647) 277-5411 [tel:+16472775411 →](tel:+16472775411) - Written quote per surface - $2M liability + WSIB - COI in 24 hours - Code 681 wash water recovery