Benefits Of Using Pervious Concrete
Structural damage and environmental problems are often caused by water accumulating in one area after rainfall. Using pervious concrete as construction material for exterior paving projects and in driveways, or sidewalks can help mitigate storm water concerns. This is a credible solution to eliminate the requirement for retention basins too.
If you are wondering- “What Is Pervious Concrete?”
It is a cement-based concrete product with a porous structure that allows water to flow directly through the concrete surface and into the soil naturally. Pervious uses little to no sand in the concrete mix, which leads to an open structure that allows 3-8 gallons of water per minute to pass through each square foot.
No wonder it is a good choice for pavements, driveways, walkways, car park, sidewalks, and pool decks, and patios. Homeowners can use pervious concrete to prevent puddling, erosion, and save the expense of depending on local storm sewer systems. There have been many variations of pervious concrete with differing levels of effectiveness since the 1800’s but this latest version of pervious concrete mix is better regulated and consistent, with amazing speed of absorption.
Benefits Of Pervious Concrete
The porosity of pervious concrete makes it one of the best green methods of reducing storm water runoff. Also consider the multiple environmental benefits of pervious concrete including saving the watershed, storm water management, reducing heat and protecting trees, which makes it the best solution for driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and patios.
What other benefits can pervious concrete offer to homeowners to make it the preferred building material of choice for paving?
Cleans Rainwater
Storm water has all sorts of sediment, debris, sand, dirt, leaves which infiltrates the void structure. Storm water also contains chemicals from hydrocarbons to heavy metals, which can result in a spurt in growth of algae. This can be damaging to aquatic life in stream and river beds and also prevent proper photosynthesis and, consequently affect plant growth.
Reduces Heat
When you walk across pervious concrete pavements, you will find them cooler. The pervious concrete allows moisture from below to evaporate, cooling down the concrete surface. Pervious concrete has less thermal mass so it doesn’t absorb a lot of heat from the sun. Moreover, it does not absorb and store much heat. When surfaces are impermeable and dry due to use of non-porous paving then they become warmer. The Environmental Protection Agency, enumerates the negative impacts on the environment from it including increased energy consumption and increase in air pollutants and greenhouse gases. When excess heat is transferred to storm water it can cause stress to the aquatic ecosystems too. The ground-level ozone rises also, compromising human health and comfort; and negatively affecting water quality.
Helps Preserve Trees
Pervious concrete allows filtration of both air and water, which improves the levels of oxygen in water. Pervious concrete thus improves the health of trees by ensuring that purified, oxygenated running water reaches the roots of trees and plants. It helps them grow better and prosper.
Helps Make Travel Safer
Pervious concrete absorbs water effectively to reduce the level of surface water on roads and pavements, which significantly reduces the tire spray and hydroplaning, making it safer for driving.
Prevents Road Erosion
Pervious concrete does not allow water to pool, which reduces the amount of erosion that the concrete experiences. Heavy traffic areas such as car parks, drives, and pavements are more prone to erosion, so limiting the time they spend submerged in water can reduce structural damages to them. Using pervious concrete can thus help in reducing costly repair works.
Other Advantages:
Pervious concrete provides a rustic hardscape texture which is aesthetically pleasing, and if required they can also be colored with pigment for color coordination with buildings and landscape. If you also consider the life-cycle costs, strength, durability and minimal maintenance requirements, it is hugely economical as well. It requires less engineering and construction time and expense because of less grading needs. Use of pervious concrete also contributes to the LEED Storm Water Management credit. Pervious concrete surfaces are cooler, safer, and energy-efficient. It meets storm water management & infiltration BMP criteria. Unsurprisingly more homeowners are taking more interest in pervious concrete material as a practical alternative in their residential paving projects.
At Davis Concrete, we have the expertise and resources in supplying pervious concrete for any green-building project. We know all about LEED building protocol and can help you in your sustainable building project. If you have questions about how pervious concrete can fit into your green-building plans, call us today.
