Although winter seems a long way off, especially considering the unprecedented heat so far
this summer, it is a frequent topic among those seeking information from Pavers by Ideal about
its Eco-Stone and Aqua-Brick permeable pavers. Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement
(PICP) is an acknowledged Best Management Practice (BMP) and gaining a great deal of
attention for managing stormwater runoff, yet the myth persists that they do not work in cold
climates. Let’s take a look at this myth and provide the facts to put it to rest.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the parking lot at Drake Hill Commons (formerly
Lafayette Road Office Park) in North Hampton, New Hampshire provides the information of a
thousand words. Covering 15,000 square feet, the Eco-Stone Permeable Paver parking lot
continues to be attractive, structurally sound, and high performing despite enduring over 10
years of harsh New England winters since its installation by The Griffen Group in 1999. It
has withstood countless freeze-thaw cycles, regular snow plowing and sanding, and, with just
routine maintenance by conventional street sweepers, it continues to drain water effectively. On
a recent trip to the area, we stopped by to take a look and perform the quick and telling “water
bottle test”. We poured the contents of a couple of 20 ounce water bottles on the surface, and
the water immediately drained down through the pavement.
And let’s not forget to mention durability of the pavers themselves as this is another question we
frequently field. Unlike other types of porous pavements, permeable pavers are not porous. The
pavers are made using the same mix design and, hence, have the same strength and durability
as our regular paving stones. How strong? We routinely manufacture our pavers to be 10,000
psi – that’s twice as strong as concrete and three times that of asphalt. They can support the
heaviest of loads, are durable to withstand the toughest freeze-thaw conditions and properly
installed, are snow plow safe. Permeable pavers provide rapid infiltration through indentations
molded along the edge of units. When assembled together they form a series of openings
across the pavement. The openings and joints in the pavement surface funnel water into the
base where it is filtered as it drains slowly into the soil.
Now that we have addressed one myth, let’s look at an often over looked benefit of permeable
pavers, one that improves safety as well as lowers maintenance expenses. During the winter,
snow and ice thaw during the day forming puddles that freeze as temperatures drop later in the
day and evening. For safety, sanding becomes necessary. In the case of permeable pavers
such as Eco-Stone and Aqua-Bric, the melt-off drains into the openings down through the
pavement. Minimal sand is required to provide a slip-free surface, and whatever sand remains
when Spring arrives can be easily cleaned from the joints and openings using conventional
street sweeping equipment.
Drake Hill Commons is one of the many projects that demonstrate our permeable pavers are
a practical solution for owners and developers to meet to the increasingly stringent stormwater
regulations being implemented by federal, state, and local governments.