Permeable block paving is not simply conventional paving with a few wider gaps. It is a designed construction in which jointing, bedding, lower layers and water management work together. The finished blocks may look familiar, but the material below them can be quite different.
Follow the water route
In a permeable block system, water normally passes through specified joint material into the construction below. What happens next depends on the design: the ground may receive it, or it may be stored and conveyed through an appropriate arrangement.
Conventional sand-jointed paving generally manages runoff over the surface instead. Neither system should be assessed from the block colour or pattern alone. Ask for a description of the whole build-up and the intended rainwater destination.
Do not interchange materials casually
Open-graded joint and bedding aggregates have a particular purpose in permeable construction. Adding ordinary jointing sand or a fine-rich material can interfere with that arrangement. A familiar product used on another driveway may therefore be the wrong choice here.
The selected blocks also need to suit the system and loading. Follow the manufacturer's requirements for the particular range, rather than creating a homemade permeable version by changing the gaps between conventional blocks.
Keep aftercare specific
A permeable installation needs the correct maintenance information. Prevent soil and fine material washing across it, clear loose debris and use appropriate methods if performance needs investigation. Make sure anyone cleaning or repairing the driveway knows which system it is.
A permeable surface can be useful for managing rainfall, but it is not an unlimited flood-prevention device or automatic proof that every planning requirement is satisfied. Site conditions and other restrictions still matter.
Ask for clarity: Which blocks, jointing aggregate, bedding and base are specified—and where does water go after it passes through the joints? A complete answer distinguishes a designed permeable driveway from a surface that merely looks open-jointed.
Discuss your project
Have a drainage or groundworks question before resurfacing? Ask Smart Paving to assess the site and explain what needs further investigation. Arrange a site visit.
Explore our drainage and groundworks service.
Related reading
- Can permeable paving work on clay soil?
- Keeping soil and garden debris off permeable paving
- What base does a resin bound driveway need?
