Answering Some Commonly Asked Questions About Permeable Paving

Permeable paving refers to a paving method or material that actually allows water to penetrate and be absorbed along the top of its surface. This helps to control water runoff and erosion. Permeable paving can be used on a residential property for driveways, walkways and even patios. Note a few questions you might have about permeable paving and then discuss this option with a contractor to note if it's a good choice for your home.

Does permeable paving cause water damage to a home's foundation?

Very often homeowners are told that they need to direct water away from their home and property so that it doesn't collect around the home's foundation and cause cracks and leaks. This is often true, but note that too much water runoff can mean soil erosion and dry, dusty soil. This type of soil can become too weak to support a home's foundation. Permeable pavement also helps to slow down the runoff of water; it doesn't actually collect it like a rain barrel, holding puddles of water in place. If installed properly, it can be a good solution for protecting the home's foundation and your property overall.

Why use it if the lawn is watered regularly?

Even if you water your property regularly, this doesn't mean the soil will hold that moisture and allow for healthy lawn and plant growth. Note, too, that permeable pavement traps pollutants and solid debris so that it acts as a filter for that water. If you have hard water or water that isn't very healthy for plant life or for the lawn, using permeable pavement solutions around your garden or other such areas can mean having this natural filter that, in turn, protects plant life.

What types of permeable pavers are there for residential use?

Permeable pavement is often used on roads and other public areas where droughts are common, but you don't need to settle for unsightly porous concrete for your own property. There are plastic grids that can be installed underneath another material, even topsoil, and this helps to slow down the flow of water and moisture on the property. Clay bricks can also be used over the topsoil, and recycled glass can be mixed with binders and pigments to create a barrier for water runoff. There are also forms of permeable asphalt that can look more attractive than concrete and aggregates that are added to certain types of concrete to improve its look and make it more permeable.


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