AntoineAsphalt.caHow Long Does Interlock Last, and What Do Paver Warranties Cover?
Quick answer
Unilock and Techo-Bloc back their residential concrete pavers with a transferable lifetime warranty on structural integrity, and Permacon offers a transferable 50-year prorated one. The parts that wear out first are the joint sand, the sealer and a poorly built base, not the stone. None of these warranties cover labour, sinking from base settling, or the white haze called efflorescence.
How many years do interlock pavers last?
No independent source we found gives a set number of years for interlock in Ontario. You will see "25 to 50 years" online, but we could not verify it, so we don't use it.
What we can point to is the standard pavers are made to. Canadian concrete pavers are made to CSA A231.2. A McGill University spec summarizes its main limits:
| Test | CSA A231.2 limit |
|---|---|
| Compressive strength | at least 50 MPa |
| Water absorption | 5% or less |
| Freeze-thaw mass loss | 225 g/m² or less after 28 cycles, or 500 g/m² or less after 49 cycles |
The makers' warranties (below) are the clearest sign of how long the stone is expected to hold up. How long your patio or driveway stays flat depends on the base, the edge restraint and upkeep.
What does a "lifetime warranty" on pavers actually cover?
Each warranty covers the product's structural integrity, not the job.
| Brand | Length (residential) | Transferable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unilock | Lifetime | Yes | Covers deterioration from normal use and "reasonable use of rock salt". Replaces product only. No labour, no colour match. |
| Techo-Bloc | Lifetime (commercial: 5 years) | Yes | Also covers abnormal surface damage from rock-salt de-icing on pavers, slabs and steps, except the Stonedge collection. Limited to "the cost of the product only." |
| Permacon | 50 years, prorated | Yes, with registration | Report claims within 15 days of finding the problem. |
The Techo-Bloc document we reviewed is undated and was posted by a dealer. Always read the current warranty for your exact product.
What do paver warranties not cover?
All three brands exclude:
- Efflorescence, the white mineral haze on new pavers.
- Sinking and shifting. Unilock excludes installs not done to ICPI/NCMA standards. Techo-Bloc excludes base settling and non-compliant installs. Permacon excludes installation faults and soil movement.
Other exclusions, by brand:
- Snow equipment damage: Unilock and Techo-Bloc.
- Colour: Unilock says colour fade isn't covered by its Lifetime Guarantee. Permacon excludes colour.
- Polymeric haze (residue from joint sand): Unilock and Techo-Bloc.
- Pressure-washer damage: Permacon.
- Compaction damage from a plate compactor used without a protective mat or roller: Unilock and Techo-Bloc.
So if your pavers sink, that is a base or installation issue. Ask your installer what workmanship guarantee they offer, in writing.
Can I use rock salt on interlock without voiding the warranty?
It depends on the brand and the product line.
- Unilock: covers "reasonable use of rock salt".
- Techo-Bloc: covers rock-salt surface damage, except on the Stonedge collection.
- Permacon: excludes damage from sodium chloride (rock salt). It bans rock salt outright on its Valentia, Be.OnStone and Mirage lines.
If you don't know which pavers you have, check your contract or ask your installer before winter.
What wears out before the pavers do?
- Sealer. If you seal, Unilock advises resealing every 3 to 5 years.
- Joint sand. Polymeric sand wears down and needs topping up or replacing over time. We found no manufacturer figure for how long it lasts.
- The base. A thin or poorly compacted base lets pavers sink or heave. See our guide on why interlock pavers sink.
Frequently asked questions
Does the lifetime warranty cover sinking or shifting pavers?
No. Unilock, Techo-Bloc and Permacon all exclude base settling, soil movement or installation faults. Those are workmanship issues.
Is a paver warranty transferable if I sell my house?
Unilock and Techo-Bloc warranties are transferable. Permacon's is transferable too, but it is prorated and requires registration.
Will my pavers fade, and is that covered?
Unilock says colour fade is not covered by its Lifetime Guarantee, and Permacon excludes colour.
How fast do I need to report a warranty problem?
Permacon asks for claims within 15 days of discovery. For other brands, read the warranty for your product.
Related guides & services
If your interlock is sinking, heaving or looking tired, see how we handle interlock repair and relevelling.
Warranty terms change. Read the current warranty for your exact product before relying on it.
Ask about your project
Contact Antoine Landscape Contractors at (647) 459-7775 or share your project details below.