Porous paving – it may not be your traditional pool surrounds choice, but there’s a whole host of reasons why it’s quickly becoming the popular choice for modern pool owners. This revolution in non-slip pool paving is grippy and safe, pleasant to walk on, cooler in sunlight, attractive, versatile, tough and long-lasting, and highly eco-friendly. It doesn’t cost the earth, it’s relatively straightforward to install and is designed to resist cracking from extreme temperature changes throughout the year.
And if that isn’t enough, it also has another big advantage – it’s relatively low maintenance.
It goes without saying that no one wants to give up a lot of their precious and limited free time to spend on monotonous and time-consuming paver maintenance tasks. And the good news is, with porous pool paving, you won’t have to. A porous pavement won’t suck up the time you’d rather be spending enjoying your pool – it’s designed to absorb water, not your free time! Which is great news for those of us who have better things to do than maintenance.
So, what makes porous pool paving so low maintenance?
The very nature of a porous pavement gives the surface its low maintenance qualities. It’s as durable as concrete, and requires very little effort to fix if any damage occurs. Rather than having to replace an entire paver (which can be time-consuming and costly), it’s a simple matter to fill in and reseal a porous pavement within minutes. As well, a porous surface won’t need resurfacing like traditional pavers will. It won’t stain, crack or break like other surfacing materials can, as the small air pockets within the paving allow it to expand and contract naturally. A porous pool pavement is designed to last and last, and most systems can go upward of 20 – 40 years before showing signs of wear. As well, the marble aggregates that compose the system are raw and available in a wide range of natural colours, meaning their colour is durable and long-lasting and won’t fade with long-term exposure to UV light.
What maintenance is required?
While porous pool paving won’t make too many maintenance demands on your time, there are still some tasks you’ll need to carry out occasionally to ensure a long-lasting and efficient surface.
The main problem you’ll encounter with a porous pool surround is that it can become blocked over time by a build-up of soil, sand, dirt, debris or sediment. And while a blocked pavement will still do its job of draining water from the surface, it will do it more slowly than it should. It’s best to remove debris build-ups to prevent blockages from occurring and keep the pavement functioning properly.
Dust alone shouldn’t cause a blockage, so if dust accumulates on the surface of your porous pool surrounds, you can simply flush it through the pavement by hosing the surface. However, it’s a different matter if soil, sand or sediment are spilt or build up on the pavement surface, as these materials can cause a blockage in the sub-base. Don’t hose these materials through, but sweep or blow them off the surface to prevent clogs. Pro tip: keep the height of nearby garden beds lower than the pool surrounds surface, to prevent soil washing onto the pavement when it rains.
To keep your pavement surface functioning properly a rinse with a garden hose every so often may be enough. If the pavement does become blocked, you’ll need to undertake a thorough pressure washing or vacuum clean (using special equipment) to unclog the surface and restore it to full functionality.
How often will I need to carry out maintenance?
A little pre-emptive maintenance will go a long way to ensuring a clean and functioning pool surround surface. Here’s how often you’ll need to carry out porous pavement maintenance tasks:
- Occasional/as necessary – remove anything sitting on the pavement surface (leaves, twigs, rubbish, grass clippings, soil, sand, sediment, debris etc.).
- Twice a year – give the pavement surface a quick wash with plain water, and inspect it for signs of a blockage (such as visible dirt or material on the surface, water pooling or visible wear and tear).
- Annually – power washing or vacuuming to remove debris and prevent blockages.
The easiest and most reliable way to reduce your maintenance time is to prevent a blockage from occurring in the first place. So, try and avoid:
- Surface debris build-ups
- Using excessive force when spraying with a pressure hose
- Regularly driving or parking on the pavement surface
- Stockpiling material such as soil, sand or yard waste on the pavement surface
- Fuel or oil spills
- Moss, weed or algae build-ups
- Contact with solvents, such as paint thinners, turps or acetone
Staying on top of spills and material build-up will allow your porous pool pavement to work effectively for years without a problem. Porous paving’s low maintenance nature, coupled with all its other fantastic advantages, make it a very attractive choice for the time-strapped pool owner who has better things to do. Discover our high-quality, low-maintenance range of porous, anti-slip pool surrounds here.