Maintenance of Porous Pavement

February 18, 2022

Porous pavement is a material that allows water to soak through into the soil underneath. The goal of this is to minimize flooding and increase water quality. This type of pavement replaces traditional asphalt and concrete and is found in driveways, patios, parking lots and more.

If you want tips on winter pavement maintenance, then read on.

Importance of maintaining pavement in Maryland winters

Porous pavement comes in three different types: pervious concrete, porous asphalt and permeable interlocking pavers. No matter which kind you have, maintaining this surface is important.

If you fail to do so, the pavement may become clogged and not allow rainwater to filter through. Eventually, this may become such a significant problem that you will need to replace the materials, which can be expensive. Maintaining the porous pavement means you’re doing your part to protect local waterways.

What you can do to take care of your porous pavement

  • Add signage to the property that informs anyone working in the area of the location of the porous pavement. This will help prevent damage.
  • Pressure wash the pavement as needed in order to remove clogs. Make sure that you remove any sediment that’s been washed out.
  • If you have interlocking pavers, replenish the top layer of stone that sits between the joints with new stone after power washing, vacuuming or sweeping.
  • After storms, inspect the porous pavement to ensure that rainwater is draining properly through the material.
  • If you’re dealing with pavement in Maryland winters, snow and ice are part of the equation. Remove snow using a rubber-tipped plow or snow shovel, and keep the tip at least an inch above the surface. The remaining snow will melt and drain away.
  • With commercial parking lots, utilize a vacuum sweeper at least twice annually. This will remove any excess sediment and debris.
  • Clear leaves from the surface during the fall.

What not to do

Here’s what you should never do if you want to maintain quality porous pavement surfaces:

  • Don’t replace vehicle fluids like oil or windshield wiper fluid while on porous pavement.
  • Prohibit large vehicles from regularly driving or turning around on any porous surfaces.
  • Snow that contains sand and salt shouldn’t be allowed to pile up on porous pavement.
  • When it snows, you don’t want to add sand onto porous pavement or nearby areas that may drain onto the surface.
  • Refrain from stockpiling materials like salt, soil, sand, mulch and yard waste on porous pavement.
  • Don’t put sealants on porous pavements or repave the area with materials that will prevent water from passing through.

Think about it like this: Whatever goes onto the porous pavement is going to drain right into the ground, so you want to keep the water as clean as possible.

We hope these tips for winter pavement maintenance are helpful. Do you need a leading paving contractor? Then turn to the pros at Maryland Asphalt LLC. Since 2014, we’ve helped commercial and residential customers, providing high-quality work at reasonable prices. Give us a call today to find out more.

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