Anyone living in Houston has spent hours scrolling social media or watching the news, figuring out when the rain will stop or how long until the flood waters start to recede. You could even create a flood water Bingo card with squares that say things such as “someone kayaking down a road” or “trash cans floating away.” 

One of the top questions among people in Houston is always, “Why do the streets in Houston flood so easily?”. Did you know that Houston’s streets were created to flood, acting as secondary storm drains? 

Houston floods. It’s a fact. However, using permeable driveway pavers can help prevent flooding in Houston.

What are Permeable Driveway Pavers?  

Permeable pavers are specially designed pavers installed on an aggregate base that helps filter and redirect stormwater back into the earth, mimicking the natural absorption of water. 

Permeable driveway pavers utilize the same design as the permeable pavers used for walkways and patios but are made to handle the weight of cars and trucks. 

These pavers work by allowing rainwater to drain in between each paver and into the aggregate base, where it can be collected into basins or allowed to seep into the earth at slower rates naturally. Many times, flooding happens simply because heavy amounts of rain overwhelm the ground, making it incapable of absorbing water in a timely fashion. By using a thick aggregate base, permeable paver driveways help slow down the water distribution, preventing flooding. 

Benefits of Permeable Pavers

Poured concrete is a very popular choice in Houston for driveways and walkways. Now, you can even get concrete stamped to look like it’s made of decorative pavers. And honestly, we can’t blame them for trying since pavers create such a beautiful and pleasing aesthetic. However, poured concrete is not ecologically friendly like permeable pavers, doesn’t offer ease of repair, and is not porous. 

Poured concrete can often act more like a funnel into storm drains or, at times, like a swimming pool rather than helping to drain flood waters back into the earth. 

Using permeable pavers in a driveway:

• Reduces stormwater runoff
• Prevents erosion
• Reduces the risk of hydroplaning 
• Reduces pollutants through filtering of water
• Benefits air quality

Permeable driveway pavers also help prevent ice from forming on the driveway, but Houstonians don’t really have to worry about that, thanks to our 352 days of summer. 

One significant benefit of installing permeable driveway pavers in Houston is slowing down the amount of water poured into the roadways during big storm events. Did you know Houston has developed incentives for green development, including permeable surfaces? 

Let Pavertime Help You Install Permeable Pavers

While it’s always fun to watch someone kayak past your house on a Tuesday afternoon, getting stuck at home is never ideal. Slowly, we can all work together to create a sustainable environment and a better city for our children. 

One step you can take is to install a permeable driveway. Pavertime is here to help. As one of the top paver contractors throughout the city, we can answer any questions and devise a plan that will benefit your family for years. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation.