Eco-Friendly Pervious Concrete Walkways for Hollywood, FL

Superior Drainage is Important in Hollywood

Because Hollywood sits atop a large area of flat land (with only slightly rising areas) and has a relatively high water table, stormwater runoff needs to be controlled so that every piece of property is protected. Since impervious surfaces (such as most types of concrete or asphalt) tend to shed water rapidly, these waters will quickly overwhelm the local storm drains and cause sheet flow flooding. In addition to requiring the property owner to minimize his/her hard surfaces’ impact upon the city’s storm drain system, local authorities often encourage property owners to do so through incentives.

Since an impervious surface, such as a walkway, will increase the volume of run-off from a particular area of land, the walkway is essential to good landscaping. However, a better solution exists in the form of pervious concrete. Pervious concrete has a significantly higher number of voids than standard concrete. When the rains fall, the voids within the pervious concrete allow the water to pass through the surface of the concrete and recharge the groundwater. This is one of the best alternatives to traditional hardscaping for flood prevention in Hollywood, and protects both the homeowner and the environment.

Permeable/Porous/Hydro-Active Concrete vs. Standard Concrete

Pervious or permeable or porous/hydro-active concrete is made using a combination of cement, water, and coarse aggregate. Importantly, pervious concrete typically does not contain sand; instead, the sand is replaced with larger aggregate pieces, resulting in a higher percentage of void space in the finished product. This creates a network of interconnected voids that provides the passage for rainwater to flow through the surface of the concrete and enter the aggregate base layer underneath, where it is temporarily stored until it can filter downward into the soil.

This process of storing rainwater underground provides several advantages. Most obviously, it reduces the quantity of water flowing into the streets and subsequently into the storm drain system. Also, since the water passes through the concrete and into the ground, it replenishes the groundwater, and any pollutants are filtered out before reaching the waterways. In residential applications, pervious concrete walkways produce similar benefits as well. There is less standing water, fewer slippery surfaces, and much reduced erosion along the edges of the walkway.

Installation Requirements

Proper installation of the sub-base is extremely important to the successful installation of a pervious concrete system. While a standard concrete pour may be accomplished with a great deal of flexibility regarding the site preparation and the sub-base, a pervious concrete installation is far more dependent on the quality of the site preparation. Before installing the pervious concrete, the underlying soil must be tested to determine its infiltration rate, and the results must indicate that the soil will allow the rainwater to infiltrate into the ground quickly enough to prevent ponding. After testing the soil, a layer of clean, uniform aggregate stone must be installed and compacted. This layer of aggregate will act as a reservoir for the collected stormwater.

When preparing the pervious concrete mix, the ratio of cement to water must be adjusted accordingly to take advantage of the high void content of the aggregate base. Additionally, the pervious concrete must be applied and consolidated carefully. If the surface is overworked, the void structure may be compromised, making the material impermeable. In order to achieve the desired level of porosity, the mixture must be applied using specific techniques to avoid closing off the voids within the material. As with any type of concrete, proper site preparation and careful execution of the installation process are critical to maximize the functionality of the pervious concrete walkway.

Design and Aesthetics

In contrast to other types of concrete that are considered to be functional rather than aesthetically pleasing, pervious concrete can be aesthetically pleasing as well. The open-textured surface of the pervious concrete can be very attractive and can resemble a finish of crushed shells or other types of decorative aggregates that are common in coastal landscaping. Additionally, the color of the pervious concrete can be modified by adding iron oxide pigments to create a wide variety of earth-tone colors, including brown, tan, gray, etc., that can be matched to the existing landscape and architectural features of the property.

Decorative Pervious Concrete Designs

Homeowners who want to incorporate decorative elements into their pervious concrete designs have a few options. Decorative elements include embedding small decorative stones or aggregates into the surface layer of the pervious concrete or incorporating subtle stains to enhance the appearance of the material. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the material, stamping cannot be performed. However, homeowners can incorporate decorative elements into the design of their pervious concrete walkway by creating decorative borders, incorporating lighting, and utilizing other decorative materials in conjunction with the pervious concrete walkway. The emphasis is on functionality with a clean, modern aesthetic.

Regular Maintenance for Optimizing Permeability

To maintain the excellent drainage properties of a pervious concrete walkway, the material should be maintained regularly. The primary risk to the performance of the pervious concrete walkway is the clogging of the pores with fine sediments, dirt, or debris. Routine maintenance of a pervious concrete walkway includes simple cleaning of the surface using a high-powered vacuum cleaner to lift any fine sediments that may have accumulated in the voids. Additionally, pressure washing, if performed properly, can effectively remove sediment that has accumulated in the deeper layers of the material.

Unlike standard concrete, pervious concrete does not require frequent sealing to prevent deterioration of the material. Sealing would potentially compromise the ability of the surface to absorb rainwater. If moss or algae begins to grow in the pores of the material, a mild detergent and a brush are generally all that is needed to remove the biological growth. The simplest method to ensure the continued effectiveness of the material and optimize the long-term functionality of the pervious concrete walkway is to perform routine cleaning of the surface to remove debris.

Benefits to the Environment and the Municipality

There are numerous environmental benefits associated with pervious concrete, as well as public and private benefits to the municipality. By decreasing the volume of surface runoff, the material decreases erosion of the topsoil and reduces the direct input of pollutants into the storm drain system. This makes it an environmentally-conscious option for property owners. Additionally, by reducing the load on the municipalities’ drainage infrastructure during heavy storm events, pervious concrete helps to improve the municipalities’ ability to handle peak event conditions.

Finally, pervious concrete recharges local aquifers. Since the material allows rainwater to seep into the ground, it maintains healthy soil moisture levels, which benefits nearby trees and plants. This is a water resource management strategy and represents a long-term investment in the future of our coastal communities.

Contact Us to Partner with Our Eco-Friendly Walkway Solutions

Due to the complexity of the installation requirements, generic contractors lack the specialized knowledge to successfully install a pervious concrete system. Successful installation of the system depends upon the contractor having experience in site preparation, in mixing the correct pervious concrete mix, and in executing the construction of the system. We specialize in designing and building custom sustainable hardscaping solutions to meet the unique drainage problems faced by homeowners in Hollywood. At King Concrete Hollywood, we design and build eco-friendly concrete walkway systems that not only solve drainage problems but also meet the highest aesthetic standards. Contact us today to learn how pervious concrete can protect your property from flooding.