Do Pavers Drain Water?

Pavers are an excellent product for a backyard or driveway. They are laid down in a pattern to make them look more aesthetically pleasing. They also increase the strength of your home's foundation by giving it extra stability. However, the question most homeowners ask is, do pavers drain water?

Do Pavers Drain Water?

Yes, pavers drain water because they are permeable, a characteristic that allows water to flow through them. They are laid in a way that leaves a space between them, which allows water to flow through to the ground. This means that if you have a paver patio, you don't need to worry about flooding when it rains because water will automatically flow to the ground.

However, you need to ensure that the pavers are laid correctly so that they are effective at it. If you lay them too close together, water will pool between them and cause problems. You should also be careful about how far apart your pavers are from each other.

How Do They Drain Water?

There are various ways they drain water to keep your compound dry and free from any other problem caused by water clogging. The following are some of the ways:

• Through permeable surfaces: Permeable surfaces often have an open weave pattern, which allows water to pass through the material more easily. This ensures that water immediately gets to the ground whenever there is rain or when cleaning the pavers using the hose pipe.

• Through a drainage layer underneath pavers: The drainage layer sits on top of the topsoil, which allows any excess water to run off into a ditch or other area where it can be absorbed into the ground or evaporated back into the air.

• Directing water to areas where it's needed: Since each paver has a unique drainage pattern, it's important to plan your landscaping around the paver's design. This ensures water is drained correctly.

• Convection: Convection is the movement of water through the paver from one side to the other as it absorbs moisture from the ground and evaporates. This often takes place when there is sunlight that quickly helps with the evaporation process.

Why Do Pavers Sometimes Not Drain Water?

At times you may wonder why your pavers still need to be draining water the way they should be. Several reasons could lead to this. Here are some of the reasons:

• Poor Drainage system: Sometimes, drainage systems can be easily broken, damaged, or clogged due to various reasons such as poor construction, improper installation, and poor maintenance. Ensure the installation is done properly by a professional. Aviara Pavers has a team of experts installing pavers, patios, pool decks, and driveways. We also follow  ICPI standards and certifications for all pavers installations like driveways, patios, and pool decks. 

• The soil that you used did not drain well:  If there is too much clay in your soil, then it would clog up any drains that might be present on your patio, so make sure that any soil used has good drainage properties so that runoff does not occur.

• The pavers have been stamped into place with no time to allow them to dry out:  If you stamp them into place before they are fully dry, they'll stay wet and won't drain properly. Before you start laying your pavers, give them time to dry out.

• The soil is too compacted:  When you add some topsoil to a new patio, it will compact down as it dries out. This can cause water to pool in the joints where the water meets the concrete or stone. When this happens, it can make it difficult for the water to drain out of the joints.

Reasons Why Your Pavers Need Good Drainage

Installing pavers can sometimes be costly. No homeowner who wants to install pavers and then get damaged within a short time. The following are some of the  reasons why your pavers need good drainage:

Reduced Paver Maintenance and Replacements

You don’t want paver damage caused by water seeping into the cracks between the pavers. This can cause cracks or leaks in your driveway, leading to costly repairs later on down the line. So make sure that your paver joints are filled in and sealed properly before installing them into your driveway.

Prevents Ice Formation

A good way to avoid any ice formation problems is to ensure your pavers have good drainage. This means that water that falls on the paver's surface will drain away quickly and not stay on the surface for too long. If there's no way for this water to drain away quickly, it will freeze and form ice which can then cause damage to your home or building.

Prevents Flooding

Good drainage will ensure no flooding in your home because it will allow rainwater to drain away. The best way to do this is to use a good-quality waterproofing membrane or paver. These products will allow water to drain from the surface and prevent it from pooling on the driveway or path.

Diseases such as malaria will be a thing of the past. The mosquitoes that usually lay eggs in stagnant water will not have any breeding environment. This helps get rid of malaria in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Drainage Required for Pavers?

Yes, drainage is important because it helps to prevent water from pooling. Without proper drainage, your pavers may become saturated and cause damage to your yard and home. With proper drainage, you can avoid these problems and enjoy the benefits of paver installation for years to come.

What Makes a Paver Permeable?

What makes pavers permeable is the nature of the soil beneath and the distance between them.  Most paving materials contain fillers such as sand, gravel, and even wood chips that can have a negative impact on water infiltration. Paving that has been designed to be permeable will allow water to penetrate the sub-grade soil and infiltrate through the gravel base.

Conclusion

Pavers are an efficient way to route water away from your foundations and your home. You will have pavers that drain water from your compound with proper installation. This will help ensure your pavers last long hence reducing the maintenance cost.