How much is drainage inhibited by a sand base mortarless paved walk?

Question

Our condo board is considering allowing us to put in the walk, but one owner says it will add to our drainage (flooding) problems. Walk will replace portions of grass. (We're in Fla. where ground is quite permeable)Will the drainage be that much worse? Would like to show that the water will permeate the walk almost as well as the grass. Thanks.

Answer 1

Water will not infiltrate through a mortar-less paved walkway as rapidly as grass. Many municipalities in Lake & Cook counties of Illinois perform calculations on the aggregate size of all impervious surfaces versus the total property area. Paver patios, walkways and driveways are included in these impervious surface area calculations but are typically deloaded by only 30% maximum. Another way to look at this is that these linear surface structures inhibit 70% of the water that falls in the form of rainfall. Again, in their view, it is the amount of run-off that occurs during a typical rain storm and not what is possible if you run a slow soaker hose over these surfaces. These surfaces do impede significant rainwater amounts at the rate that rainwater typically falls. Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

What Well Lit Garden said is right, however there are types of pavers made specifically to allow water to permeate. Here is a link to one example.

Answer 3

ya water will flow thru the sand, as good as the grass,