12
Jul
Pervious Concrete Tips from Bob Banka Part 2
Top 5 Steps to Successful Pervious Concrete Installations
We asked Bob Banka President of Concrete Management Solutions to answer some important questions in a 5 part series about Pervious Ready Mix Concrete and the best way to get the most out of a pervious concrete installation.
Question: What are the 5 most important steps for a pervious concrete installation?
Step 2: Make sure that there are well written specs to work from.
Pervious concrete is so different from regular concrete that in order for a job to be successful many things need to be addressed in specifications written by someone with a solid background in all aspects of pervious concrete.
First and foremost is to pre-qualify and insist on using a contractor that is either a NRMCA Certified Installer or Craftsman. Nothing can be more beneficial to a good job than having someone on sight that is experienced and well qualified to properly install the concrete but since pervious concrete is part of a total storm-water management system, the installer needs be able to address all of the parts that make the system work. Simply having five certified technicians on sight will not guarantee you a good job. The certified installer or craftsman needs to make sure that the recharge bed is properly designed to handle the designed rain event and then be able to see that the recharge bed is properly installed with the proper stone. They need to make sure that the mix design chosen is the best possible. They need to know the anticipated unit weight of the concrete and be able to make adjustments to the mix if anything changes during a pour. They need to be able to quickly decide if the mix is delivered at the proper sheen and if not, know how to temper the mix or reject the load. They need to make sure that the recharge bed is properly moistened prior to concrete delivery and then oversee and make sure that the concrete is placed, finished and cured properly. Remember, we are curing most pervious with a 6 mil poly and it will be left in place for 7 days so it needs to be securely fastened so that the wind does not dry the concrete out prematurely.
The next thing to make sure in your specs is that you address maintenance. There is no one size fits all when it comes to maintaining pervious concrete. It should be up to your Certified Installer or Craftsman to test the ability of the concrete to take water on a regular basis for twenty four months to help an owner develop the proper maintenance plan for each job site.
Bob Banka is President of Concrete Management Solutions and has been involved with the development of pervious concrete for over twenty years. To learn more visit: http://www.perviousconsulting.com
