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Paving has come a long way in the past few years from solid concrete pavement and asphalt surfaces to permeable pavers with permeable surfaces.

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Permeable pavers are working to help save the environment

Paving has come a long way in the past few years from solid concrete pavement and asphalt surfaces to permeable pavers with permeable surfaces. This means that the surface of the new, natural stone pavement allows water to flow through the pavement and drain into a reservoir to help remove pollutants and contaminants. It allows clean water to be fed into streams and rivers which feed our oceans. Utilizing permeable pavers to install the permeable surfaces for drainage purposes is swiftly becoming a world wide effort in cleaning up the environment.

A permeable paver is a product, not a person. The product can be made of various materials which would allow water to drain into the underlying soil. This type of product can reduce standing water in roadways and reduce the cost of installing storm drainage systems. The normal storm drainage system consists of huge concrete cylinders that can allow pollution and contaminants to enter into fresh water supplies. The permeable surface of permeable pavers allows the water to be filtered, replenishing the fresh water supplies.

Advantages to using permeable surfaces on city streets as well as private parking lots and homes are that it helps protect the quality of water that is supplied to cities and for our wildlife. In addition, the cost of repairing traditional drainage systems can be expensive due to the system involving multiple systems. With permeable pavers you only have to examine one system which reduces time and expense during repairs of major drain systems within a city.

Additionally, permeable pavers do not allow for freezing buildup on their surface like traditional asphalt surfaces allow. This makes driving during the winter months safer and easier. They are laid on a bedding of sand or pee gravel, allowing the water to flow through them instead of standing on top until it either drains off or is absorbed. The absorption of the water allows asphalt to swell with no room within its walls. This is what causes cracks and holes to form. With permeable surfaces, the water flows through the surface into the bedding below.

Freezing conditions cause water soaked pavement to expand and burst. With permeable surfaces the pavement will expand but there is room for the expansion, therefore no cracking or bursting occurs. They are safer for vehicles and pedestrians alike when it comes to skidding or slipping. Their surface remains relatively dry so slipping for pedestrians is eliminated and skidding when braking is not a problem.

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Saving our planet from pollution has become one of the largest efforts worldwide and you can help by using Permeable Pavers keep water from hurting your hard surfaces and returning it to the ground. Try using a Permeable Surface when you are redoing your driveway and help make your carbon footprint on the world smaller.

Author: Arthur Mavericck