Scrubtown Brick Paving

PaveDrain Sucks

scrubtownbrick@gmail.com (Christian Minich) — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 17:16:22 GMT

A Supposedly Great thing I will Apparently Never do.

I admit, I have actually put a bid together to install PaveDrain . I was thinking that the first-hand experience would give me ultimate proof of its complete and utter failure as a pavement system (that is, if, once I had the job, I was unable to convince the winning general contractor and the City of Waconia to change the plan and install PICP instead).

But mine eyes have seen the inglorious results. I have visited several job sites and they all failed miserably.

First, without true interlock, there is no strength, no teamwork on the surface. It doesn't matter how many layers of fabric, or passes with the roller, if the units do not interlock, you will have major rutting, (or a bunch of individuals going their own way).

Furthermore, as depicted in the photo above, without the PSI of a regulated concrete paver ( PaveDrain has a PSI similar to that of a standard cinder block), the surface of the "pavers" will begin to crack and deteriorate almost immediately--even if you apply thousands of dollars worth of sealer.

And on that note, sadly, in tune with all the other bad ideas that have contributed to the failure of the human race, this one is also about money. Not only does PaveDrain suck, but it is extremely expensive and involves too much plastic (see future post). In fact, the PaveDrain system costs upwards of 4X as much as a PICP system, or permeable interlocking concrete pavement.

And yes, I know that PICP requires maintenance and a little TLC from time to time, but at least it works.

Pandemics and pavers

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:35:00 GMT

Pandemics and pavers

I figure I have to mention the pandemic as this is my first blog post since January of 2020.

Our greatest related challenge was the scarcity of N95 masks. The dread of dry-cutting was almost as brutal as the job itself.

Here at Scrubtown we are once again convinced that attempting to reuse pavers is a waste of our time and the people's money.

Fortunately, there was time enough left for the pursuit of stormwater detoxification.

Responsible. Sustainable. Permeable.

Permeable Patio Installation

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:50:00 GMT

Permeable Patio Installation

An unconventional permeable paver patio in St Paul, MN employing recycled stockyard clay brick from Gerten's to create a truly one of kind Sustainable Paving Solution

#video

PICP Info Card

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 15:45:00 GMT

PICP Info Card

We have created a comprehensive card for more information regarding Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement. Please click here to find more information on PICP.

PICP: More on Cold Climates

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 16:44:00 GMT

PICP: More on Cold Climates

After what might be this season’s heaviest snowfall, I shall once again make an attempt to promote the fine winter advantages of PICP on my super popular blog.

We are reminded this year, following several mild winters, that we do, in fact, live in Minnesota, where half of the year people rarely complain, and then it gets cold and stays there for a very long time.

I was reminded of this fine topic via an email from my most recent permeable driveway client. “The driveway you installed in November looks and works great. I actually enjoy shoveling snow because it is so easy”. Typing this out I realize it sounds like an infomercial of PICP performance. However, I promise you it is real.

When I followed up with a phone call, my client went on to explain that he had noticed a stark difference between the pavers and his neighbor’s concrete driveway.

That is, no frozen slippery chunks left behind (his photo attached). He laughed when I told him that nearly all of my driveway costumers express some degree of concern about the potential difficulty of shoveling pavers.

I followed up this conversation with a bit of reading. And the actual factual part of it is: research done by such fine institutions as the University of Minnesota has shown that a PICP base does not get as cold as the air and wind above. Air in the spaces between the aggregate and heat from the earth retained in the soil below has been proven to thaw surface snow and ice more rapidly than traditional asphalt and concrete pavements. If any standing water within the open-graded base materials freezes it can expand 9% to prevent heaving.

MN Department of Natural Resources on Permeable Pavers

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 09:49:00 GMT

MN Department of Natural Resources on Permeable Pavers

An interesting article posted from the MN Department of Natural Resources:

Of course, we would argue that pavers are the most attractive, long standing and easiest to maintain option of the three installations.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_access/bmp/pervious_pavement_bmp.html

A Mistaken Notion Regarding Paver Driveways and Patios

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 22:54:00 GMT

A Mistaken Notion Regarding Paver Driveways and Patios

As I was shoveling snow off my in-laws’ paver patio last week, I was reminded of a concern often expressed by my clients.

“What am I going to do about shoveling snow?” they’ll ask.

As with most rumors about pavers, this one probably (I always forget to ask) originates from poorly installed examples of interlocking concrete pavement (ICP). For it is surely not the engineering that causes pavers to fail (there are just as many stellar examples of pavers).

The assumption is that a paver driveway or patio, will not be flat and therefore create problems for the shoveler. However, if installed properly, using the specified materials, ICP (pavers) should always provide a flawless surface. The same goes for asphalt and concrete: if the work is done correctly, the pavement should not fail.

So there it is. This snow shoveling problem is a misconception about brick paving.

“You just shovel it,” I say. “Or plow it with a truck, or four wheeler, or walk behind a snow blower. Whatever you prefer!”

SBP

Why Permeable

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 19:20:00 GMT

Why Permeable

How do permeable pavers benefit the environment?

Here is a short video by Techo-Bloc to explain. Enjoy!

#photo

Permeable Driveway on Lake Minnetonka

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 18:39:00 GMT

Permeable Driveway on Lake Minnetonka

1800 square feet of PICP (Borgert's Priora paver) Incorporating the Rainfall load from the entire roof of this new Residence = 0% Unfiltered Stormwater