HINTS FOR HOMEOWNERS |
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(NAPSI)-Homeowners are putting their best foot forward to improve the curb appeal of their home while helping to protect the environment. They are redoing their driveways and walkways with permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP), which not only looks good, but allows water to filter through the pavement to migrate back into the ground. Further good news is that some counties offer a rebate program to homeowners who install a PICP driveway. Because PICPs return rainwater to the ground, they help drought-stricken areas or places where storm sewers overflow from too much runoff. How It Works PICP works like this: A surface of solid concrete pavers is separated by joints filled with small stones that make the joints highly permeable. Water enters the joints between solid concrete pavers and flows through an “open-graded” base; i.e., crushed stone layers with no small or fine particles. The spaces among the crushed stones store water and infiltrate it back into the soil. The joints provide 100 percent surface permeability and the base filters storm water and reduces pollutants. For Patios and Walkways Pavers can be used for walks, patios and driveways, as well as for parking lots and residential streets. Homeowners particularly like the vast array of colors, shapes, sizes and textures available. You can get rustic stonelike pavers or others that look like clay brick. Light-colored pavers can provide a cooler surface around patios and pool decks. The pavers are easy to maintain and snowplow. In addition, because the snow melts faster on PICP, it reduces ice hazards. You can learn more about PICP and find an experienced, professional installer by visiting the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute’s Web site at www.icpi.org. Permeable interlocking concrete pavements are the way to green walkways, driveways and patios. |
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