Comments on: Fantastic Green Product Claims, But this Driveway Could Be Truly Green

By: Will Enoch

Will Enoch — Thu, 20 May 2010 23:29:46 +0000

You’re right about the rain catchment systems. Just to explain how the PICP Envirostone system may be used for irrigation, I’d design in a liner located at the bottom of the system.

One of many designs call for the following: Atop the liner, 4 inches minimum, depending on design use, of free-draining aggregate. Atop the free-draining aggregate, a permeable paver. Between the approximate 1/4″ spacing between each of the permeable paver units there will be sharp, free-draining aggregate in graduated seive sizes, forced down between the paver joints by vibratory compaction. Encompassing the paver perimeter will be a curbing system which will also contain the free-draining aggregate base materials.

Located near the lowest point of the system, a 4″ minimum perferated drain pipe will channel water to a sump pump. Once rain works through the permeable pavement system, the sump pump may direct water to an irrigation system.

A design for funnelling roof run off to the permeable pavement system is a just another advantage of Water harvesting from your driveway done logically. Overlflow parking is a typical candidate for this environmentally logical way to pave green.

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:34:05 +0000

Daly has been pushing hard, and it is incredible to see what he has achieved. It seems that White’s focus has really been recent, but Houston is involved with the Green Builder Verifier program, and we do have the green building codes now, and the city’s newsletter has been touting green initiatives. Considering that we really sit on a flat plain, it does not make much sense to shove all of our water into the storm systems. Yes, I know that the spillways can handle more, but I think that your system of paving would be a better solution for our community (along with graywater and rain catchment systems).

By: Will Enoch

Will Enoch — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:20:20 +0000

PICP represent only one percent of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement being utilized in North America today. In West Germany, 15% of the IPC used is Permeable. You will began to see a tipping point soon in PICP. The City of Chicago has a green plan called “Green Alleys”. The aging storm sewer system is needing replacement. Permeable Pavements are being designed into these alleys to handle runoff and filter pollutants through the system instead of putting them into the Great Lakes. Developers in the Houston Metroplex are slowly catching on.

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:24:34 +0000

That is an interesting fact Will. I wonder if builders would be considering that for their subdivisions.

By: Will Enoch

Will Enoch — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:51:59 +0000

To add interesting real estate facts to the Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement post, when designed according to a site, PICP systems may eliminate a requirement for a detention pond. This would result in the ability to build on more of the property if disired.

The initial investment into this green pavement may even be lower than a standard concrete street because a curb, gutter and storm drain system is not necessary. Life cycle costs of PICP systems are substantially lower because, when designed and installed correctly, there won’t be a replacement cost involved. The ancient road system in some European areas have lasted for centuries. Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement systems are designed utilizing the same principles.

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:39:50 +0000

Will, that happens to be close to where I live, so I will go check it out soon.

By: Will Enoch

Will Enoch — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:35:22 +0000

Yes. For the latest installation of our green residential driveway, look @ #5 Hedwig Circle off Beinhorn in Houston, 77024. The paver is called Priora from Pavestone Company.

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:02:34 +0000

Thank you for your insight. Let me know if you have installed many here; your site looks interesting.

By: Will Enoch

Will Enoch — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:12:41 +0000

Green Pavement is the next generation pavements. Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement Systems, which reduce run off by retaining storm water within the permeable system, also filters pollutants and minimize erosion of waterways. Tree roots are allowed more air penetration than cast in place pavement and aquatic habitats are not impacted becsuse temperatures of these habitats are not elevated from heated storm water entering streams.

For all these benefits to become a realization and truly be green, the PICP system requires proper design and proper installation.

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement Systems are sustainable pavements. Also known as Envirostone, Grass pavers, permeable pavers, Eco Stone, Turfstone, Sub Terra, Invisible Structures and PICP, they should not be confused with pervious pavement or porous pavement. The latter allows penetration of liquids through the pavement itself, not around individual paving units.

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement is the new environmentally logical way to pave.