What to look at once the snow is gone.

Walk it and look for six things

New cracks. Individual lines are normal surface ageing. Note where they are and how wide.

Interconnected cracking in a patch — the alligator pattern. That is structural and it is the one finding that matters most.

Areas that flex when you step or drive on them. A void underneath.

Potholes, and whether they are in the same place as last year.

Where water sits after rain, and how long it takes to clear.

Crumbling edges and how much narrower the driveway has become.

On interlock, three more

Joint sand level. If it has dropped more than a few millimetres below the paver surface, it is due.

Lipping — pavers sitting proud of their neighbours, which means the bedding under them has moved.

Edge spread. Check whether the border row has migrated outward and whether the restraint is still doing its job.

What is urgent and what can wait

Urgent: anything that flexes underfoot, water pooling that was not there last year, and alligator cracking. These are structural and they get worse fast.

This season: crack filling, pothole patching, re-jointing. All are inexpensive now and expensive if they go through another winter.

Can wait: fading, efflorescence, minor surface scuffs, and sealing if you are not yet at the three to four year mark.

The rest of the spring list

Sweep up residual sand and salt rather than letting it sit through the wet months.

Check that downspouts still discharge away from the driveway and foundation. Winter moves them.

Clear debris from any drains and from interlock joints.

And if you are planning larger work this year, book it now. April quotes get May and June slots; July quotes wait.