Most defects are due to uncontrolled water flow! However, porous asphalt changes that. What is it?
Where does all that stormwater go after it rains? Well, as you can imagine, a lot of it gets collected on the pavement and can cause issues for motorists and the roadway itself. Puddles can form, and excess water can cause erosion and other pavement defects. Most defects are due to uncontrolled water flow! However, porous asphalt changes that. What is it? Read on to find out all you need to know about porous asphalt.
What is porous asphalt?
The purpose of porous asphalt is to distribute water evenly to the soil beneath pavement, rather than having water concentrated in one place. There is a stone bed underneath the asphalt, which collects the water and distributes it. The bed must be far enough down that the water doesn’t touch the asphalt. Porous asphalt is smooth and generally not any different looking than regular asphalt.
Why is it better?
Porous asphalt has less defects, even after decades of use. That’s probably because there is no way for water to damage it, which, as we mentioned, is why most pavement defects occur. It was first introduced in 1977, and there are very few instances where the pavement has been compromised. The mixture is also very easily made and doesn’t require any special elements. It’s also usually the less-expensive option.
Does it have drawbacks?
Not really! Actually, porous asphalt is far less impactful on the environment. Water is distributed throughout the soil evenly, so it doesn’t have the chance to concentrate and flow into sewers. That means that sewer systems won’t be overwhelmed with overflow, and it’s been shown to reduce the amount of deposit in runoff water.
Learn more about asphalt when you follow our blog at PTG Enterprises!
If you want to protect your asphalt and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your sealcoating and asphalt maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, masonry, asphalt installation, repair, and paving throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, and Flickr.
Tags: asphalt facts, porous asphalt
