Pervious concrete is a type of structural pavement with an exceptional volume (ranging from 15% to 35%) of interconnected voids. Like traditional concrete, it is made from a mixture of water, coarse aggregates and cement. However, it contains little to no sand, which creates an open-cell porous surface that allows water to pass through easily.
Homeowners May Choose a Pervious Concrete Driveway for Several Reasons, Including:
- They help reduce untreated runoff from discharging into local storm sewers.
- They can help recharge groundwater to boost aquifer levels.
- They can help channel water to landscaping and tree roots, reducing the need for irrigation.
- They help reduce pollutants that can harm sensitive ecosystems.
- They help eliminate hydrocarbon pollution from pavements and sealers.
While They Offer Ecological Benefits, There Are Some Drawbacks to Pervious Concrete, Including:
- They can’t be used for surfaces with heavy traffic flow.
- They require longer curing times.
- They require specialized construction practice.
- It’s hard to determine the water ratio in fresh concrete.
- Conventional concrete tests (compaction factor and slump test) aren’t applicable.
- Special design considerations must be implemented.
- They require regular cleaning to maintain permeability.
In addition to these problems, pervious concrete may not be durable enough for mudjacking techniques, which can repair cracked and sinking concrete for a fraction of the cost of complete concrete replacement. This is an important factor to keep in mind when choosing a specific type of concrete for your driveway.
AAA Concrete Raising has served Colorado homeowners and businesses for over two decades. Our innovative concrete raising company uses modern equipment that eliminates the need for any sort of noisy, awkward machinery. This ensures a speedy, neat, efficient job that won’t disrupt the neighborhood. Contact our team today for all your concrete restoration needs, and to get a free quote on your next concrete project.
Pervious Concrete Driveway FAQs
Pervious concrete is a structural pavement with a high volume of interconnected voids, from 15% to 35%. It contains little to no sand, creating an open, porous surface that lets water pass through.
It reduces untreated stormwater runoff, helps recharge groundwater, can channel water to landscaping, and reduces pollutants and hydrocarbon contamination from pavements and sealers.
It can’t be used for heavy-traffic surfaces, requires longer curing times, and needs specialized installation, which limits where it can be practically used.
Both use water, coarse aggregate, and cement, but pervious concrete omits most of the sand. That creates the open-cell porous structure that allows water to drain through it.
It depends on traffic load and drainage goals. AAA Concrete Raising can help you weigh the ecological benefits against the limitations for your specific driveway.