As winter fast approaches, now is the time to remind your customers that one of the keys to pervious concrete durability is proper maintenance and cleaning. The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association/Pennsylvania Concrete Promotion Council (PACA/PCPC) has produced a video that can help deliver the message. It runs just over two minutes and explains how to set up a maintenance plan for a pervious concrete system. Additionally, it explains that cleaning of pervious concrete prior to winter weather will maximize permeability while minimizing the possibility of freeze/thaw expansion of moisture trapped within sediments that may be lodged in the pervious concrete void structure.

"Just like any other stormwater management system, pervious concrete will require routine maintenance," says NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Phil Kresge. "Cleaning pervious concrete, as part of a regular maintenance and operations plan, is critical to its performance. Otherwise, not only is its infiltration capability compromised, but also its chances of surviving severe freeze/thaw conditions are decreased." At a minimum, inspections are recommended semi-annually (Spring and Fall) and appropriate maintenance and cleaning procedures should be performed.

Along with the video, PACA/PCPC has published Pervious Concrete Operations and Maintenance Practices to assist owners in understanding their responsibilities with regard to their pervious concrete systems. The video and brochure are both available at www.specifyconcrete.org.