Can I use de-icing salt on my interlock?

In short, yes.

In long, (is that a thing?) check the product guidelines of your specific interlock paver or paving slab.

All products we like to install: Techo Bloc, Permacon, Unilock, (among others) are constructed to withstand the pressure of salt and shoveling.

Techo Bloc and Permacon in particular are our favorites for their quality and warranty.

Several interlock companies (these included) have factories in Montreal and are designed with winter use in mind.

However, there are many products for sale at big box stores that do not meet these same standards.

If you are buying discount pavers you should check to ensure they are salt resistant.

One of the most common things we deal with is “eroding” pavers, where each block is spalling and wearing down, resulting in unsightly holes you can catch a toe or a heel in.

This is often because the pavers are poor quality, but there are exceptions to the simple “check warranty” rule: if pavers are not graded so that they are sloping slightly for surface water runoff, or more commonly, sitting on an incorrect bedding layer that results in constant water saturation, they can also break apart.

Regarding the bedding layer: it is very common for new build contractors in Ottawa to install their pavers on a stone dust bedding. It is common practice, but it is not best practice. This retains water in the bedding and results in paver saturation.

The dust is not terrible, but it is not recommended, and in a high water, high salt situation, it results in the pavers being saturated in salt water and breaking down in several years instead of several decades.

So what’s the summary?

Yes, you can use de-icing salt on your interlock if:

It’s a quality product
It’s installed correctly, with a free draining bedding layer
There is a slight slope to ensure water is not puddling on the surface

Jonathan Gilman is the owner of Ottawa Interlock Repair. He has seen a lot of pavers in his day. His guess is well over a million. Most have been salted, as he lives in, you guessed it, OTTAWA!! There is a lot of ice in Ottawa every winter and people have to use dicing salt on their sidewalks and driveways.