Is crack sealing worth it on a concrete patio in Westboro?

Whether crack sealing makes sense on a concrete patio depends on what kind of cracks you have and why they formed. We found no published price for crack sealing on its own, so get a written quote and ask whether the scope includes cleaning the crack, the sealing material and any surface work around it.

The condition of the concrete matters before anything else. The National Research Council's Canadian Building Digest 116 notes that scaling is most severe on horizontal surfaces subjected to both freeze-thaw cycling and de-icing salts, and that air entrainment has a remarkable effect on frost resistance. If your patio is already scaling broadly or if cracks are numerous and running in multiple directions, a contractor may recommend resurfacing or partial replacement instead of sealing individual cracks. If a crack runs along the joint where the patio meets the house foundation, have it looked at before sealing anything; foundation walls are a separate trade and that crack may need a different assessment.

On the City side, the City of Ottawa's Hardscaping Contractor Licence has been required since March 1, 2026 for businesses that install or alter hard landscaping features such as concrete patios. The Licensing By-law excludes the sealing or re-sealing only of driveways or parking areas, and "minor repairs or minor alterations", which it does not define; we found no City statement on whether crack sealing a patio counts, so ask the City. The licence costs the contractor $319 for 2026 and requires commercial general liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000 inclusive per occurrence. Ask any contractor to show you their City licence and check the City's published list of licensed hardscaping contractors yourself. The City's March 2026 guidance says a licensed contractor will also provide a written contract and give you a copy of the City's Landscaping Education Guide.

We found no City rule requiring a building permit for crack sealing an existing patio; if you are unsure about your situation, ask the City's Building Code Services.

A few things worth confirming before work starts:

• the scope in writing: which cracks, what preparation, what material
• whether the contractor holds a current City of Ottawa hardscaping licence, and whether they say it applies to this job
• whether locates are needed if any digging is involved, submitted through Ontario Dig Authority
• the Landscaping Education Guide, which a licensed contractor is required to give you

The single most useful thing to have in hand before work begins is a written contract that names the cracks being treated, the preparation method, the sealing material and the total price, so there is no dispute about what was agreed.