Driveway Resurfacing

Driveway resurfacing is an effective mid-life solution for Ottawa homeowners whose driveways show widespread surface deterioration but still have a solid structural base underneath. Rather than the expense and disruption of full removal and repaving, resurfacing applies a new layer of asphalt or concrete over the existing surface, restoring appearance and function at roughly half the cost.

The process begins with a thorough assessment of the existing driveway — if the base is stable and there are no deep structural failures or significant heaving, resurfacing is typically viable. Ottawa contractors mill or clean the existing surface, repair any localized damage, apply a tack coat for adhesion, and then lay a fresh 1.5 to 2 inch layer of hot-mix asphalt.

For concrete driveways, resurfacing options include bonded overlays and polymer-modified toppings that adhere to the existing slab. Proper drainage evaluation is critical in Ottawa, where clay soils and flat-graded lots can trap water beneath the surface layer — any grading issues should be corrected during resurfacing to prevent the same freeze-thaw damage from recurring.

Ottawa's resurfacing season follows the same May-to-October window as new paving, since asphalt plants close for winter and the material requires warm conditions for proper compaction and bonding. Many Ottawa driveways installed 15 to 20 years ago are now prime candidates for resurfacing, and addressing them before the damage reaches the base layer can add another 12 to 15 years of service life at a fraction of the replacement cost.