Aqua Paving Stone
Pavement permeable to water and air
Our new AQUA draining paving stones create a water and air permeable paving system, preventing flooding in paved areas. They can collect and filter storm water for later reuse or direct it to garden areas for irrigation.
Protection against rain
Prevents the accumulation of water on the pavement that could hinder transit or create damage to the structure.
Facilitates drainage
Aqua paving stones are capable of collecting and filtering rainwater for later reuse, which can be used for watering plants, trees, etc.
Sustainability
This paving stone has numerous environmental advantages, promoting the natural water cycle and allowing for water saving and reuse.
Living places
Available in the entire range of products and colors
A pavement made with our AQUA paving stone model has a filtration capacity of approximately 50-160l/s-ha. We also achieve a durable, comfortable, and resistant pavement that promotes the natural water cycle. AQUA draining paving stones are available in almost our entire range of products and colors.
Main characteristics of draining paving stones
Water storage
Aqua draining paving stones allow the filtered water to be displaced through the subsoil to avoid accumulations and floods in specific areas of the pavement.
Using this system, aqua paving stones allow the pluvial flow to be slowed down to reduce the water flow during storms or long periods of rain. In the case of AQUA draining paving stones, their filtration capacity is approximately between 50 and 60 l/S-HA.
The fact that this type of paving stone allows water filtration, allowing it to reach the ground to be absorbed, is one of the great advantages of concrete pavements compared to other pavements. Avoiding the accumulation of puddles or the creation of wet surfaces increases the comfort and safety of pedestrians in cities and towns.
However, this is not the only advantage of aqua paving stones. Their filtration capacity, thanks to their porous texture, facilitates the arrival of water flows to the roots of the trees that are in the lower layer of the soil. In addition, it also prevents possible floods and promotes the recovery of natural aquifers that can be refilled more easily.
Combats the heat island effect
Before continuing, we must know what the heat island effect is and what consequences it generates.
This phenomenon occurs, usually, in cities and built-up areas that experience higher temperatures than other areas. This increase in temperature is caused by the accumulation of heat caused by the construction materials of both buildings and the road.
This effect is especially noticeable during the night. Although the temperature decreases slightly during the night, the materials of the city release the heat accumulated for hours, linking with the moment when the sun rises again and preventing citizens from noticing a real feeling of freshness at some point in the day.
The heat island effect has consequences beyond the increase in temperature. Let’s see what they are:
1. Increases environmental pollution due to the accumulation of gases in cities.
2. Health problems and fatigue. The high thermal sensation produces fatigue and headache among the population. In addition, the elderly may suffer health problems derived from high temperatures.
3. Wear and tear on infrastructures and urban materials with low resistance to heat or very sensitive to it. Some elements such as electronic surveillance devices or weather indicators are especially sensitive.
Draining paving stones reduce the urban heat island effect. The same permeability that allows rainwater to be filtered facilitates the release of heat accumulated during the hours of sunshine.
Therefore, the use of this specialized paving stone not only prevents the appearance of puddles or floods but also reduces the accumulation of heat during the summer months.
How are these paving stones manufactured?
The multiple positive properties of this pavement lead us to consider the explanation of how they are manufactured.
If we carry out a layer-by-layer decomposition of a permeable pavement, we observe several key points that we must highlight. The one that we could consider most important and on which the pavement is supported is the granite, which acts in one way or another depending on the support layer of the soil.
First of all, it is necessary to keep in mind the base material. For example, if the base on which the pavement is to be placed is a very impermeable clay soil, applying a solution of crushed granite rock with large pieces for the pavement may be an ideal option. Applying crushed granite in this layer facilitates the drainage of water in greater quantity.
If we analyze the most underlying layer, we see that it is essential to place a pipe in the area where stagnation occurs, which must be connected to the public sewer system.
For the next layer of this paving stone, the bed, it is advisable to use smaller crushed granite. Being smaller, the granite offers greater stability to the paving stones that we place in the first layer, without sacrificing drainage and, above all, avoiding the accumulation of water in the bed.
The last step consists of placing the aqua draining paving stones to guarantee water absorption. Before finishing, it is important to fill the joints with the same crushed granite that we use in the bed layer.
Where to install draining paving stones?
Part of the answer to this question has already been given in previous questions. Even so, there are many places where draining paving stones play a fundamental role.
We start from the premise that installing Aqua paving stones on the sidewalks of any street in Madrid, Albacete, or Toledo will prevent the appearance of large puddles that could hinder the movement of pedestrians and vehicles. Fortunately, this type of paving stone has many more uses. Let’s look at some examples.
Aqua draining paving stone for patios
People who have a patio with a garden in their home are used to dealing with the insects that are around the puddles of stagnant water that appear after a period of heavy rain or after watering the plants in the area.
The properties of aqua draining paving stones not only prevent the appearance of these annoying puddles but also allow all those liters of filtered water to reach the roots of the garden plants directly.
Advantages on terraces
More and more bars and restaurants have large outdoor terraces to serve all customers. During the rainy season, it is common to install awnings to prevent customers from getting wet while eating, but the water continues to spread at their feet. These situations can be avoided with the installation of Aqua paving stones, a draining paving stone that filters rainwater before reaching the terrace tables.
