Permeable pavers, also known as permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP), are installed with layers of varying-sized stone or aggregate underneath that filter and direct stormwater to underground aquifers.
As with all types of permeable and pervious pavements in Georgia, permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP) are subject to sediment, fines and other debris accumulating on the surface, which can slow infiltration over time. As a result, it is recommended that the pavement be inspected and periodically cleaned to help ensure that the desired infiltration rates are maintained. Some municipalities may stipulate sweeping frequency.
Preventative Maintenance
Georgia Paver Restoration recommends weekly or monthly maintenance to help prevent debris and trash from becoming clogged into the joints. This can be as simple as sweeping or blowing off grass clipping or fallen leaves to more robust maintenance such as bringing in a broom street sweeper to clean the loose debris from the joints of a large area.
Recommended Yearly Maintenance Checklist
1) Vacuum sweep the entire pavement to clean loose debris from the joints. This should be done more frequently if the pavement is heavily trafficked or has a lot of overhanging trees
2) Inspect joints and refill to the top of the paver if necessary
3) Settlement areas exceeding ½” and any protruding pavers that lip by more than ¼” from surrounding pavers should be picked up and re-laid after base or bed layers are repaired.
4) Replace any badly damaged pavers.
5) Inspect any exfiltration pipes to verify that pipes are not clogged.
Regenerative Maintenance
Regenerative Maintenance Regenerative maintenance is removing the clogged joint material and replacing with fresh washed aggregate in order to restore the pavement to close to its initial rate of infiltration. In order to determine if regenerative maintenance is necessary it is recommended that the pavement be viewed during a rain event. If area of the pavement either puddle or sheet flow across the joints, then that area of the pavement likely needs to be regenerated. You can also test infiltration rates of permeable pavers using a single ring infiltration test as proscribed in ASTM C1781, but multiple tests across the pavement must be done in order to get a true feel for how the pavement drains. If it is determined that the pavement needs regenerative maintenance than the goal is to remove the top ~1/2” of the joint material, which contains a debris chip and then replace it with new washed aggregates. It is important to note that the clogging does not extend into the bedding course and subbase. To remove the top ~1/2” of joint material containing the debris chip and powerful vacuum sweeper that can suck out the debris chip. Once the debris chip is removed then new washed aggregate is swept into the joints in the same fashion as initial installation.
The frequency of regenerative maintenance depends on various factors including the amount of preventative maintenance to conditions of the site themselves. It could be as quickly as a few years to well over a decade depending on the site.
Georgia Paver Restoration offers the following permeable paver maintenance services:
ASTM C1781 Surface Infiltration Testing – Georgia Paver Restoration can provide surface infiltration testing along with a report documenting the methodology and results for municipal and commercial PICP projects.
Seasonal PICP Maintenance – Georgia Paver Restoration can recommend and perform routine maintenance service contracts for commercial and municipal PICP projects. The frequency and cost of this program is quoted on a project specific basis.
Remedial PICP Maintenance – Georgia Paver Restoration can perform remedial maintenance services as needed to restore clogged areas with new joint fill and establish proper surface infiltration rates.
PICP Sealing – Paver sealing is an added protection to any paver system and will help with ongoing maintenance. Sealer will add protection as a UV protector like sunscreen and also aid in reducing staining helping to keep your pavers clean. Georgia Paver Restoration uses specialized sealers made specifically for permeable paver applications that will not jeopardizing the infiltration rate.
Georgia Paver Restoration offers commercial permeable paver maintenance service throughout Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina. Please contact us for a consultation!