Fake vs Real Permeable Pavers

Don’t be fooled. There’s a difference in the permeable pavers in the marketplace.

More than ever companies and homeowners are choosing to install permeable or porous pavers on their driveways, public spaces, patios and around swimming pools to help direct rainwater away from storm sewer systems and back into the natural ecosystem. They also want to prevent the buildup of water on the surface so they can avoid the inconvenience of puddles and slippery surfaces.

But many suppliers are selling the concept of a permeable paving solution without having a true solution. In the graphic below you’ll see a typical “fake” solution – taking a regular concrete, asphalt or interlocking brick – adding gravel between the bricks – and calling it permeable.

The problem is that the brick itself is not porous. The rainwater is supposed the fall between the bricks and drain into the soil. There is no true storm management system for the water. Often in heavy rainfall, the surface still has puddles because there is nowhere for heavy rainfall to go.

With a “real” permeable paver system like hydroPAVERS^®, the storm management system is built right into the construction.

Permeable paving is a porous paving system that uses a range of sustainable materials and techniques for pervious or porous pavements. The base and subbase allow for the movement of stormwater through the surface. In addition to reducing runoff, this effectively traps suspended solids and filters pollutants from the water.

This video demonstrates the red wine being absorbed directly into the hydroPAVERS^®. The paver surface may be moist, but no puddles develop, as all the liquid will be retained until saturation. Fully saturated is  equivalent to a ¼” rain event, after which it will then drain into the base below, if the rain continues. Otherwise, the retained water begins to evaporate into the air by warmth and wind which dries the surface.