What is porous asphalt? Is it right for your project?
Asphalt pavement installation is an engineering feat. If you have a careless design, it could cause immense damage through uneven, broken-up pavement or flooding and the dangers that come with that. Porous asphalt has been around for over 50 years, but traditional, non-permeable asphalt is still going strong in the commercial construction industry. Is porous asphalt right for your project?
What Is Porous Asphalt?
Porous asphalt is also known as permeable pavement. Its top layer allows water to filter through it into a detention basin below, which usually is full of stones. It has multiple layers to create this seamless pavement filtration system that takes some water away from the regular sewer system into the ground below instead.
Porous asphalt helps to keep oils, gasoline, etc., from flowing into storm drains. It also reduces the need for additional stormwater management systems like detention or retention ponds. It is just one alternative to traditional asphalt pavement that helps make stormwater management as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
Is Porous Asphalt Right for Your Project?
Porous asphalt pavement is best for low-volume traffic areas, such as parking lots, commercial driveways, and pedestrian or cyclist trails. The permeable pavement’s nature cannot handle the weight of high-traffic applications like highways and other major roads. If you are installing a low-volume traffic pavement type, then porous asphalt is an option.
Cost & Maintenance
Everyone wants to know how much porous asphalt costs. The cost can vary based on additional stormwater management features, the project’s size, and more. The cost of permeable pavement itself is more than the cost of traditional pavement, but the total project cost could be less, especially if you are not using additional stormwater management features.
You should also be aware of the ongoing maintenance for porous pavement. You must care for it properly to avoid rendering its water-filtering quality useless; do not use sand to prevent an icy asphalt surface in winter. You must wash and vacuum sweep it so that its pores do not clog.
Summary
Ultimately, talking with a professional asphalt contractor will give you the most detailed information about porous asphalt. Contact Reliable Contracting in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, to learn more and get a free estimate.
ABOUT RELIABLE CONTRACTING
Reliable is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project that you need taken care of, please contact Anne Arundel County’s largest site-work contractor today by calling 410-987-0313 or visiting our website. You can also follow Reliable Contracting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.