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Service · Ottawa

Interlock Installation,
Built for Ottawa Winters.

Driveways, walkways and patios engineered from the base up to survive Ottawa freeze-thaw, road-salt and clay-soil heaving. Twelve-year workmanship warranty. Fixed-price quotes.

100+Driveways laid
5★Google rating
12 yrWorkmanship warranty
Interlock paver driveway installation in Ottawa with precision-laid charcoal pavers and granite curb
Why It Matters

Most Ottawa driveways fail at the base, not the surface.

Ottawa puts interlock through more abuse than almost any climate in North America. We see freeze-thaw cycles 60+ times a winter, road-salt that eats unsealed joints, and clay-rich subsoils that heave 4-6 inches between November and April. A driveway that looks fine on day one but settles, sinks or grows weeds by year three was built on the wrong base.

Our installations start 8 to 12 inches below grade. We compact in lifts, bed in screened HPB stone, set every paver on a leveled bedding course and finish with polymeric sand that locks the joints against ants, weeds and salt. The result lasts 25+ years and stays flat.

  • Excavation to 8-12" below grade
  • Geotextile fabric over subgrade
  • HPB compacted in 4" lifts
  • Concrete or aluminum edge restraint
  • Techo-Bloc / Permacon / Unilock
  • Polymeric sand joint lock
What We Install

Six Surfaces. One Standard.

Driveways

2-car to 6-car layouts with proper drainage pitch and reinforced auto-grade base.

Walkways

Front-entry paths, side passes and connecting walks with curved or straight runs.

Patios

Multi-level entertaining patios with seat walls, fire features and integrated lighting.

Steps & Risers

Solid-core stone steps anchored to engineered base — no settling, no rocking.

Retaining Walls

Engineered segmental walls up to 6 ft, with proper drainage tile and geogrid.

Pool Decks

Salt-resistant, slip-rated coping and surround systems for in-ground pools.

Interlock installer hand-laying charcoal pavers on compacted HPB base in Ottawa
Build Spec

Engineered for Zone 5a.

Every project follows the same documented build spec. You receive a written copy with your quote so you know exactly what you're paying for — and what to look for during inspection.

  • Excavation depth8" walkways · 10" patios · 12" driveways
  • Base materialLimestone HPB, screened and compacted
  • Bedding course1" leveled high-performance bedding sand
  • Edge restraintConcrete haunch or aluminum spike-down
  • Joint sandPolymeric (Alliance G2 or equivalent)
  • PaversTecho-Bloc · Permacon · Unilock · Oaks
  • Workmanship warranty12 years on settling & heaving
Our Process

From quote to enjoy — four clear steps.

01

Consult

On-site walkthrough. We measure, photograph and listen.

02

Design

3D mockup, paver selection and fixed-price written quote.

03

Build

Excavation, base, install — typical job 5-10 days.

04

Warranty

12-year workmanship warranty in writing.

FAQ

Ottawa Interlock Questions.

Eight questions we hear most often during on-site quotes. Don't see yours? Call (343) 998-8316.

When can interlock be installed in Ottawa?
Our season runs from late April through mid-November. We can excavate as soon as the ground thaws — typically the third week of April in Ottawa — and we keep installing until the first sustained sub-zero week. Booking opens in February and the May-June calendar fills first.
How much does an interlock driveway cost in Ottawa?
Most Ottawa interlock driveways land between $28-$42 per square foot installed, depending on paver line, layout complexity and base depth. A typical 600 sq ft 2-car driveway runs $17,000-$25,000. We give fixed written quotes — no per-hour or change-order surprises.
How deep should the base be for Ottawa freeze-thaw?
For driveways we excavate 12 inches and compact 10 inches of HPB limestone in 4-inch lifts. Patios get 10 inches, walkways 8. Anything shallower than 8 inches will heave under Ottawa frost — this is the single most common reason older driveways fail.
Will my interlock survive road salt?
Modern Techo-Bloc, Permacon and Unilock pavers are rated for de-icing salt and freeze-thaw. The vulnerable point is the joint sand — that's why we finish with polymeric sand that hardens against salt rather than washing out. We recommend re-sealing every 3-4 years.
How long does an Ottawa driveway install take?
A typical 2-car driveway is 5-7 working days from excavation to polymeric sand. Larger driveways or projects with steps and walls run 8-12 days. We send a daily progress photo and an end-of-day site clean.
Do you handle removal of the old asphalt or concrete?
Yes. Demo, haul-away and dump fees are included in the fixed quote. We use a small skid-steer to keep your lawn intact and lay plywood track over any soft ground. Old material is recycled at Tomlinson's Carp facility.
What's covered by the 12-year workmanship warranty?
Settling, heaving and base failure for 12 years from completion. We come back, lift the affected pavers, repair the base and reset — at no charge, in writing. Paver staining or efflorescence is covered by the manufacturer's product warranty (typically 25 years lifetime).
Which Ottawa neighbourhoods do you serve?
All of Ottawa and Gatineau: Barrhaven, Kanata, Orléans, Nepean, Stittsville, Manotick, Gloucester, Rockcliffe, Westboro, the Glebe, plus surrounding rural Ottawa. Most quotes are within a 40-minute drive of central Ottawa.
Service Areas

Interlock Across Greater Ottawa.

Free Estimate

Tell us about your project.

We respond within one business day with a site-visit window. Site visits and written quotes are free. No high-pressure sales — ever.

+1 (343) 998-8316 ecowavecontracting@gmail.com

Get a Free Quote

Takes 60 seconds. Fixed-price written quote within 1 business day.

Ready to Build a Driveway That Lasts?

Free site visit. Fixed-price written quote. No high-pressure sales.

Call (343) 998-8316 →