Deck, Fence & Interlock Sealing in Scarborough — Your Questions Answered

Seal Tech Inc. is based in Scarborough and has been cleaning, staining and sealing decks, fences, interlock, natural stone, pattern concrete and garage floors across the Greater Toronto Area since 1998. Below are the questions Scarborough property owners ask us most often — about timing, cost expectations, how long a finish lasts, and what you need to do before we arrive.

About Seal Tech in Scarborough

Are you actually based in Scarborough?

Yes. Our shop is at 53 Woodgrove Dr. in Scarborough, and it has been our base since the company opened in 1998. Scarborough isn't a service area we drive out to — it's home, which is why we can usually be flexible about scheduling here.

How long have you been sealing decks and driveways in the area?

Seal Tech opened its doors in 1998 and has more than 15 years of hands-on experience in high-pressure cleaning and the application of protective sealants for exterior surfaces. Over that time we've worked for everyone from individual homeowners to large corporations and housing developers, including McDonald's, Jack Astor's, Mr. Sub, the Toronto Transit Commission, York University, Aspen Ridge Homes, Tribute Homes, Mattamy Homes, Great Gulf Homes and Country Wide Homes.

Are you insured and accredited?

We hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and we are WSIB and CSPAAT compliant for your protection. We guarantee our work.

Which parts of Scarborough do you cover?

All of it — including West Hill, Guildwood, Highland Creek, Rouge, Woburn, Cliffside, Birch Cliff, Bendale, Agincourt, Malvern, Wexford and Dorset Park — along with the wider GTA. One of our published customer reviews comes from a homeowner in West Hill whose stucco wall and surrounding surfaces we cleaned and restored.

Deck & Fence Staining Questions

When is the best time to seal a new deck or fence?

As soon as construction is complete. Many people leave a new deck or fence unprotected until the greying becomes obvious, but the sun and weather start working on the wood immediately — a lot of irreversible damage is done within the first year. Sealing it early is the only way to keep that damage from happening in the first place.

Why does my deck keep turning grey?

Greying is caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun. The same UV that damages skin breaks down wood fibres, and the grey surface you see is one of the earliest signs of that breakdown. The only way to prevent it is a sealer or stain that blocks UV, which is what we use.

My fence is pressure-treated. Doesn't that mean it's already protected?

Not from the sun. Pressure treating adds copper sulphates, arsenic and other chemicals that deter termites and slow rot, but it includes no UV or weather protection at all — pressure-treated wood greys and degrades just like untreated wood. There's a second reason to seal it: those additives are often a skin irritant, particularly for children, pets and people with respiratory problems. Sealing locks them into the wood.

How long will the stain last?

On horizontal surfaces like a deck floor, expect one to five years. On vertical surfaces like fencing, up to ten. The range is wide because it depends on real conditions at your property: sun exposure, air flow and elevation, overhanging trees and shrubs, foot traffic, precipitation, and Scarborough's hot-and-cold seasonal swings. High-traffic areas wear fastest.

What types of stain can I choose from?

Three, in increasing levels of pigment and protection:

• Clear sealer — won't change the look of the wood. Because it has no pigment it generally doesn't last as long, but if you want a natural finish this is the one.
• Semi-transparent stain — translucent, so the natural grain and texture still show through while adding colour.
• Semi-solid or solid stain — a more paint-like appearance. The higher pigment level means the most UV protection of the three.

We carry 120 stain and sealant colours — you can browse the full colour range here. Actual appearance varies with the species of wood, its age and condition, how many coats are applied, and the lighting, so we're happy to bring physical samples to your quote.

Can I skip the cleaning and just have it stained?

No — and this is the single most common mistake we're called in to fix. Wood stain works by penetrating the surface. If dirt, mould or mill glaze is present when the stain goes on, it gets sealed in underneath, which both looks bad and causes the finish to fail and peel early. A clean, sound surface isn't an upsell; it's what makes the stain last.

Interlock, Stone & Concrete Sealing Questions

How often should interlock or pattern concrete be resealed?

Every two to three years is common practice, though some people reseal sooner and others wait longer. It depends on sun exposure, moisture, overhanging trees, road salt, foot and vehicle traffic, and how the surface is cleaned. Pattern concrete in particular is worth staying on top of — left unsealed it can begin to pit and eventually break up.

Can you get rust and stains out of my driveway?

In most cases yes. Our power washing process removes most rust and other staining from interlock, concrete and natural stone, and we use a range of cleaners and techniques to bring the material back toward its original state. Some stains are permanent and can't be removed by any process — we'll tell you honestly which category yours falls into rather than promising a result we can't deliver.

What finishes are available for stone and concrete?

• Clear / natural look — won't substantially change the appearance of the stone.
• Semi-gloss "wet look" — roughly 12–15% acrylic, giving the surface the look it has after light rain, with a hint of shine.
• High-gloss "wet look" — roughly 20–25% acrylic, for a pronounced shine like the surface has after heavy rain.

Will my walkway be slippery after sealing?

For smooth, non-porous concrete we offer a slip-resistant sealer that helps with traction, and we apply a slip-resistant final coat as a standard safety feature on pattern concrete and natural stone. Bear in mind any surface can be slippery when wet or icy.

What is polymeric joint sand, and do I need it?

It's a jointing sand that hardens like a flexible mortar between interlock stones. It reduces weed growth, bug infestation and erosion of the joints. It's part of our standard interlock process.

There's a white powder on my interlock. What is that?

Efflorescence — a whitish chemical powder that appears on interlock and concrete as moisture moves through the material. Removing it is part of our cleaning process before any sealant goes down.

Garage Floors & Epoxy Coatings

What does an epoxy coating actually do for a garage floor?

Bare concrete is porous, so it holds dirt and dust and stains easily from vehicle fluids and road salt — a real issue through a Scarborough winter. An epoxy coating protects against salt damage, resists gas, oil and chemical staining, makes the floor far easier to clean, cuts down dust, and with a high-gloss finish increases lighting in the space by up to 25%.

Booking, Timing & What to Expect

Do I need to be home while you work?

Generally no, unless something restricts access to the area. As long as we have access to water, electricity and the work area, you don't need to be there — though it's always nice to see the reaction when we're finished.

How long before I can walk on it or put the furniture back?

For stone and pattern concrete: rain safe in about 30 minutes, walk safe in about 4 hours, vehicle traffic after 24–48 hours. For decks: foot traffic within 24 hours, furniture back after 48 hours. Actual drying times vary with temperature and sun exposure.

What do I need to do before your crew arrives?

• Clear the work area of furniture, children's toys and other items — we can't take responsibility for items left in the work area.
• Clean up any pet waste, and keep pets indoors while the crew is working.
• Unlock side gates and make sure we have clear access to the work area.
• Provide access to outside water and electricity.
• Turn off irrigation systems and leave them off until 24 hours after we finish.
• Check there are no bee or wasp nests in the work area.

If the crew arrives and can't start because of one of these — a locked gate, no water, no power — a $250 rescheduling fee applies, so it's worth running through the list the day before.

How does payment work?

A 50% deposit is taken at the time of booking, with the balance due before the crew completes the job. We'd also ask that you do a final inspection before the crew leaves the site.

Do you use environmentally friendly products?

Yes. We use only environmentally sensitive products throughout our cleaning and sealing processes, and our procedures are aimed at minimising waste and keeping chemicals out of the ground.

I have a pool. Is that a problem?

No. Our crews take extreme caution to keep debris out of the pool. Any small amount that does end up in the water is normal and won't damage pool parts or equipment.

Our Services in Scarborough

• Deck & Fence Staining
• Interlock Cleaning & Sealing
• Natural Stone & Pattern Concrete
• Garage Floor & Epoxy
• Commercial Services
• Project Gallery

Still have a question that isn't covered here? Our general FAQ goes into more detail, or you can simply call us at (416) 966-4200.