How often is this pavement, and is it right for your project? Let us help you decide!
Impervious asphalt, which is the traditional kind, is the most common type of asphalt pavement you will see. When graded correctly, it allows stormwater runoff to drain directly into the adjacent ground or stormwater management system. Porous asphalt, on the other hand, is an asphalt type that has some major advantages in the right conditions. How common is porous asphalt?
The Prevalence of Porous Asphalt Pavements
Porous asphalt pavement is a lesser-known but moderately common asphalt type that is most relevant in areas with a strong emphasis on stormwater runoff reduction and other environmental efforts.
What Is Porous Asphalt?
Porous asphalt is an asphalt mix that forms a porous pavement that allows rainwater and other liquids to drain directly through it into a spacious stony reservoir below it. The water then slowly drains into the soil below or through a pipe into the main sewer system.
Porous Asphalt Applications
As you will see below, porous asphalt works best in very specific environments, but in those environments, this asphalt type works great for driveways, parking lots, trails, and roads–practically any other application traditional asphalt has.
Porous Asphalt Pros and Cons
Now, you can really learn how porous asphalt shines and where it works best through understanding its pros and cons.
Pros
- Reduced stormwater runoff: Pervious pavements take some of the stormwater runoff to a different drainage point, alleviating the surrounding soil and stormwater systems from a greater load.
- Filters out pollutants: The drainage system of this pavement filters out dirt, chemicals, metals, and other pollutants before the water moves into local waterways.
- Temperature control: The system also manages the stormwater runoff’s temperature and can cool off warmer water as it drains.
- Reduced ice buildup: Porous pavements generally do not suffer as much ice buildup in winter as impervious pavements, reducing the need for road salt and other deicing chemicals.
- Financial benefits: Municipalities often offer financial benefits and utility breaks for incorporating this environmentally-friendly property feature.
Cons
- Slope limit: The slope of the pavement must be under 5% for the water to drain effectively.
- Drainage rate limit: The soil beneath the pavement must be able to drain stormwater at a rate between 0.1 and 10 inches per hour.
- High water table limit: The water table must be at least two feet below the pavement’s foundation, so properties with high water tables might not be able to use this strategy.
- Drainage area limit: The surrounding soil must be permeable, as the pavement is designed to drain primarily what falls on top of it.
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