Resurface or reseal a faded patio in Orleans?

Resurfacing and resealing are different scopes of work, and the right choice depends on what the concrete surface actually looks like. Resealing is a surface treatment applied to concrete that is structurally sound but has lost its protective coating; resurfacing means applying a bonded overlay to concrete that has surface deterioration such as scaling or spalling. We found no published price for either service in Ottawa, so get itemized quotes and compare them directly.

Before deciding, have a contractor look at the slab. Scaling, where the surface flakes away in thin layers, can be a sign of frost damage or de-icing salt exposure, as 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. A contractor can tell you whether the surface is a candidate for an overlay or whether the concrete underneath has deteriorated to the point where replacement makes more sense. We found no source for what an overlay requires in terms of surface condition; that assessment belongs in the contractor's written specification.

On the City of Ottawa rules that apply here: the City's Hardscaping Contractor Licence page lists patios as a hard landscaping feature requiring a licence for installation or alteration. 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 resealing a patio alone, so ask the City whether your job counts. For resurfacing, which alters the surface of the patio, ask the contractor whether they hold a current City hardscaping licence; the City's March 2026 guidance says to ask to see it and to check the City's published list of licensed contractors. The licence requires commercial general liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence and automobile liability of not less than $2,000,000, and the contractor must provide a written contract and give you a copy of the City's Landscaping Education Guide.

A building permit is not something we can rule out without knowing the full scope. The City's patio page sets out conditions under which a patio is exempt from a permit, including that it is supported directly on the ground and not raised. We found no City statement specifically on overlays; if you are uncertain, ask the City's Building Code Services.

A few things to confirm before work starts:

• whether the quote covers surface preparation, the overlay material and any crack treatment separately
• whether the contractor will provide a written specification including the concrete strength standard (the 2024 Ontario Building Code sets 32 MPa as the standard for exterior flatwork) and the protection plan if temperatures drop below 5 °C during or after the pour
• whether removal and disposal of any debris is included, and whether the work involves any digging, because if it does, whoever digs must submit a locate request through Ontario Dig Authority before breaking ground

Put this to each contractor: what does your written specification say about surface preparation, and what happens if the overlay does not bond properly?