How do I avoid scraping pavers when plowing in Ottawa?

Protecting interlock pavers from snow plow damage requires adjusting your plowing technique, using proper equipment, and ensuring your pavers are properly installed and maintained. Plow blades catch raised or loose pavers, chipping edges and displacing units, but several strategies can minimize this damage.

Plow blade height and technique are critical for paver protection. Set your plow blade to ride 10-15mm above the paver surface rather than scraping directly on it. This leaves a thin layer of snow that you can remove with a snow blower or shovel, but prevents the blade from catching paver edges. Use a back-dragging technique when possible — pull snow away from the house toward the street rather than pushing forward. This reduces the aggressive scraping action that damages pavers.

Rubber cutting edges on plow blades cause significantly less damage than steel edges. Replace your steel cutting edge with a rubber or polyurethane edge designed for paver surfaces. These flexible edges conform to slight surface irregularities without catching and chipping pavers. Rubber edges cost $50-150 but can save hundreds in paver repairs over Ottawa's long winter season.

Paver condition and installation quality directly affect plow damage susceptibility. Properly installed pavers in Ottawa should be level, well-compacted, and locked together with fresh polymeric sand. Raised or loose pavers catch plow blades and get displaced or damaged. Before winter, walk your driveway and tap down any raised pavers, add bedding sand under settled areas, and refresh polymeric sand joints. Pavers that move when you step on them will definitely move under plow pressure.

Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycles cause pavers to shift and heave throughout winter, making them more vulnerable to plow damage as the season progresses. Check your driveway monthly during winter and hand-tamp any pavers that have heaved above the surface. A rubber mallet and a piece of scrap wood can quickly level minor heaving before it becomes a plow hazard.

Alternative snow removal methods may be worth considering for high-end paver driveways. Snow blowers don't scrape the surface and work well on most paver patterns, though they struggle with wet, heavy snow. Heated driveway systems eliminate plowing entirely but cost $15,000-25,000 to install. For smaller areas, shoveling with a plastic blade shovel prevents all scraping damage.

Edge restraints and border courses help prevent paver displacement during plowing. Properly installed concrete or steel edge restraints keep border pavers from shifting outward when hit by plow blades. If your paver driveway lacks edge restraints or has loose borders, these should be addressed before winter to prevent progressive damage.

Professional paver maintenance every 3-5 years includes releveling settled areas, replacing damaged units, and reapplying polymeric sand. A level, well-maintained paver surface with tight joints resists plow damage much better than a deteriorated surface with loose pavers and washed-out joints.

When to hire a pro: If your pavers are extensively heaved, loose, or damaged from previous winters, have a paving contractor assess the base condition and perform releveling before attempting to plow. Plowing over badly deteriorated pavers will cause exponentially more damage.

Need help finding a paving contractor to assess or repair your interlock driveway? Ottawa Driveways can match you with local professionals experienced in Ottawa's challenging winter conditions.