The typical problem of impervious pavers is that storm water runs across the surface instead of soaking into the ground. It leads to pooling, flooding, and potentially erosion of stones. The reason stormwater run-off is such an obstacle for homeowners and business owners in Toronto, is due to the fact that the Greater Toronto Area is primarily constructed of hard materials. So pooling and flooding as well as erosion can be serious problems if a storm drain is inaccessible or overflowing. And all that problems appear because of non-permeable pavers which stagnate the water.
These problems can be prevented with permeable pavers when designing landscaping. These special pavers allow for rainwater to percolate between the designed holes and cracks between them so that it reaches the ground before it “runs off”. These pavers help the environment too because with a fast and easy drainage solution like this, it minimizes the exposure to pollutants picked up by the water before entering the ground.
Custom landscaping, permeable driveway with Unilock turfstone, steel retaining walls, raw concrete porch, custom modern home. By gtalandscaping.com
WHY ARE PERMEABLE PAVERS SO GOOD?
Permeable interlock pavers provide the same function as normal pavers. It is durable, aesthetically pleasing and load bearing. Permeable pavers are laid overtop of a crushed granular base that has some storage capabilities before it drains into the ground and away from the site. Permeable pavers don’t always have to be interlocking. Recent innovations in porous asphalt and concrete have allowed for huge advancements in drainage technology. Traditional interlocking pavers for landscaping have been redesigned for this purpose, including pavers that utilize grass in between them as their drainage systems.
Beautiful permeable driveway. Oaks Enviro Midori
4 REASONS TO CHOOSE PERMEABLE PAVING
The reasons you should consider installing permeable interlocking pavers for your outdoor landscaping are:
Reduces transportation of pollution because of fast percolation;
Reduces the amount of water running off your property preventing flooding, erosion, and pooling;
Increases rate of groundwater recharge, meaning surface water reaches the groundwater faster and more efficiently, thereby speeding up the hydrologic process;
Increase the amount of green area and therefore aesthetics with grass between pavers, rather than traditional pavement.
Permeable interlock pavers are so applicable throughout Toronto’s outdoor landscaping because while it increases drainage efficiency off a site, it does not require any additional land or surface area to do so. So dense urban metropolises like Toronto can utilize these permeable pavers throughout the landscaping without sacrificing space, aesthetics, or money.
Furthermore permeable pavers are not just restricted to warm climates where frost isn’t an issue. Landscaping, with proper design that is, can easily utilize permeable pavers by using traditional techniques to avoid frost heave, therefore being able to be implemented throughout landscaping in Toronto and the surrounding area.
Permeable paver installation diagram
PERMEABLE PAVERS MAINTENANCE
Some drawbacks of permeable pavers are small but cannot be overlooked. For example, debris, sand, and dirt that are brought to the paver surface by the water can frequently clog permeable pavers, due to their porous nature. Furthermore salting in the winter can cause clogging, meaning all season maintenance is required, roughly 2-3 times per year.
For maintenance use a vacuum sweeper to suck up any residual debris left by the water across the surface of the pavers. Note, a power washer will not work, as the water will immediately bring the debris back into the porous holes of the pavers.
Permeable pavers also have a slope limitation, as they can only be implemented or installed on 5 degree slopes or less or on high traffic areas, as they do not have the same load bearing capacity as traditional pavers.
Green driveway. Permeable interlocking pavers
IS PERMEABLE PAVERS EXPENSIVE?
The cost of permeable pavers, as with everything that saves you money in the long term, has higher installation costs. Permeable interlock pavers construction costs could be up to 50% more than traditional paver implementation expenses. That being said, these porous pavers reduce the need for drainage pipe, or perforated pipe installation and reduce the amount of landscape area for storm water regulation and storage.
Permeable pavers are ideal substitutes for standard conventional pavers because while installation costs are a bit higher then effect on the environment as well as money saved long term highly outweighs the negatives of this type of product. While diversity in style may not be as wide as with traditional pavers, the avoidance of flooding, pooling or erosion are justified by the function and services they provide.
GET IN TOUCH WITH GTA LANDSCAPING FOR PERMEABLE PAVERS INSTALLATION
GTA Landscaping is a premier landscaping company in Toronto with excellent online reviews. We are certified members of Landscape Ontario operating at the highest professional standards. We provide landscaping services to Toronto, Vaughan, Mississsauga and the surrounding GTA area.
You can see one of our permeable paver projects in the gallery. Call us if you have any questions about permeable pavers installation. Choose our professional team for paver installation in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada.