Should I avoid metal shovels on my Ottawa interlock driveway?

Yes, absolutely avoid metal-edged shovels on your interlock driveway. Metal blades will chip, scratch, and gouge the paver surfaces, and the sharp edges can catch on slightly raised pavers and pry them loose from the sand bed.

Use plastic shovels or rubber-edged snow pushers instead for your interlock driveway. Plastic blades won't damage the paver surfaces and are less likely to catch on joints or slightly uneven pavers. For heavy, wet snow that's difficult to move with plastic, use a snow blower with adjustable skid shoes set to ride slightly above the paver surface — never let the metal auger housing scrape directly on the pavers.

Ottawa's interlock driveways face unique winter challenges that make proper snow removal technique critical. With 200+ centimetres of snowfall annually and frequent freeze-thaw cycles, you'll be clearing snow 30 to 40 times per winter. Metal shovels that chip paver surfaces create small depressions where water collects and freezes, accelerating freeze-thaw damage. Gouged pavers also collect dirt and stains more readily, making spring cleaning more difficult.

The bigger concern is paver displacement. Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycling naturally causes slight movement in interlock systems as the sand bed and base materials expand and contract. Metal shovel edges that catch on raised pavers can pull them completely out of position, creating trip hazards and allowing water infiltration that washes out the sand bed. Once pavers start shifting, the problem spreads to adjacent units.

Practical snow removal tips for Ottawa interlock: Clear snow frequently during storms rather than letting it build up — lighter, more frequent clearing is easier on both you and the pavers. Apply a thin layer of sand (not salt) for traction on icy areas. Avoid using ice melt or rock salt directly on interlock — it can cause efflorescence (white mineral deposits) and accelerate joint sand washout. If you must use deicing products, choose calcium chloride over rock salt and apply sparingly.

When to hire a pro: If your interlock driveway has significant lippage (uneven pavers) that makes snow removal difficult, or if pavers are already loose and shifting, have them relevelled and re-sanded before winter. Trying to clear snow from a poorly maintained interlock surface often causes more damage than the snow itself.