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Three Factors to Consider When Installing Permeable Pavement in Your Property

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Permeable pavement is a type of pavement that comprises of porous concrete or asphalt pavers with an underlying stone reservoir. Just as the name suggests, the pavement is permeable as it allows water to run through it instead of accumulating on the surface or running off. Permeable pavement is one of the easiest paving solutions to install, but this does not mean that it should be done thoughtlessly. The following factors should be put into consideration before the installation process to guarantee optimal performance of the pavement.

Quality of the soil

Before initiating a permeable paving project, it is crucial to examine the quality of the soil on the property. Ideally, porous pavement is most effective when installed on sandy soils as they allow rainwater to drain away into the reservoir easily. They are also able to provide adequate structural support for the concrete or asphalt pavers. Clay soils are not stable enough for paving; therefore, the gravel layer installed should be deeper than on sandy soils to provide additional support. What's more, clay soil also has less infiltration and is not suitable for permeable paving solutions.

Surrounding landscape

You need to ensure that the pavement is distant from areas of soil disturbances which can cause soil and sediment to transfer to the pavement surface. When this happens, it can block the pores on the pavers and reduce their efficiency in allowing water to penetrate the surface. Assess the surrounding area before installing the pavement. You can plant flowers, trees, or shrubs around or along the pavement so that the roots can hold the soil compact and prevent it from clogging the pores.

Slope of the land

Permeable pavements should never be installed on sloped areas. This is because the slope can reduce the ability of the underground reservoir to hold storm water. It can also cause structural problems, making the paving material to shift. Only install paving on a level or slightly sloped ground. The slope should be not more than five percent. If your property has a steep slope, you can consider other paving solutions such as a terraced design and others that don't involve the use of a porous material.

Finally, install your pavement during the summer or when there is no rain to allow proper curing of the materials. You can check the weather forecast to ensure that you have at least 24 straight hours of no rain or showers to facilitate proper completion of the project.


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