Permeable Pavers in Bethesda, MD

Permeable Pavers for Bethesda Homes and Estates

Permeable pavers look like a conventional paver surface, but they are built to let rain pass straight through. Joints are wider and filled with small washed stone instead of sand, and the base is a series of open-graded clean stone layers that act as an underground reservoir. During a summer thunderstorm, water drains through the joints, collects in the voids of the stone and soaks slowly into the soil instead of rushing across the yard, into the street or toward a basement wall.

The construction is quite different from a standard patio. Installers typically excavate deeper, then place a reservoir layer of larger washed stone, a thinner choke layer of medium stone, and a bedding layer of fine clean chips, with no fines to clog the voids. On Bethesda's slow-draining clay and silty clay loam, the reservoir is often thicker and an underdrain pipe is added near the bottom to release excess water to a safe outlet. Fabric lines the sides of the excavation to keep surrounding soil out, and a concrete or heavy edge restraint locks the field.

Montgomery County's RainScapes program may offer rebates for eligible permeable paver projects, and DC's RiverSmart Homes and Northern Virginia stormwater programs have similar goals, so check current program rules before design is final. Permeable systems suit driveways, patios and paths across Bethesda, especially on lots with soggy lawns or downhill neighbors.