Benefits of Hydro-Flo Pavingstones

Pavingstones are a wonderful paving surface. They have been used worldwide for centuries. Though paving technology has changed, the pavingstone posesses qualities that are unrivaled. It is time again for the concrete pavingstone industry to change. The world is facing many problems and people are becoming more concerned with exactly how their actions impact the world around them.

Pacific Interlock Pavingstone, with the creation of Hydro-Flo(TM) Technology, is addressing some of the most recent concerns. Following is a quick list of how Hydro-Flo Pavers can help.

Environmental

• Reduce Storm water runoff
• Retain Water on-site
• Made with Recycled Product
• Nearly half of our product is recycled
• Qualifies for up to Five LEED Points
• Local
• SRI
• Water Conservation

Appearance

• Many Applications
• Residential or commercial
• Bioswales (Retaining Wall Blocks) and Podium Roofs (One Inch Pavers)
• Custom Look
• Many Profiles and Colors available

Safety

• Reduce Slip Hazards
• No Puddles
• Water enters pavingstone, leaving surface practically dry
• Durability
• Stronger than poured concrete
• Stones adjust with earth movement rather than cracking
• Properly installed base will allow pavingstones to function for a long time

Cost

• No Plugging
• Design does not depend on holes, so nothing to plug!
• No Costly Maintenence
• No gaps to clean out
• No sand to replace
• Qualifies for Water Conservation Refunds

LA Expo 2012- Long Beach

Coming up on Friday is one of the most exciting shows of the year. Hundreds of companies will gather together, each presenting their own ideas about how to create the best outdoor areas. From Landscape Architects to Manufacturers to Designers, this show will have a little of everything to make your project that much more special.

We are excited to be participating this year. Though Pacific Interlock is a producer of Pavingstones (and has been for 30+ years), we will mostly be at this show to share our Patented Hydro-Flo(TM) Technology. This is the only Patented Concrete Paver on the Market today. These pavers are distinguished by their 100% Surface Permeability (That's right! Water goes right through the paver! Up to 3 inches per hour). Our technology allows water to pass through the pavers without holes, so there is no loss of strength, and little worry for plugging.

There are many reasons to consider this product, as it increases safety, recharges aquifers, opportunity for five possible LEED points and customization. This is truly one of the most all around Green, safe, and beautiful products around.

Join us for the USGBC Water Conservation Showcase

Pacific Interlock will be joining the USGBC at the Water Conservation Showcase in San Fransisco. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to learn about and support Green Business, especially related to Water Conservation. These conventions bring together some of the greatest industry products and ideas and we are very excited to attend.

Please be sure to check out the Water Conservation Showcase details and stop by our booth to see our line of Permeable Paving Products. We look forward to seeing you there!

Update on Ocean Avenue in Carmel

Construction has completed on Ocean Avenue in Carmel. The parking lot is open, freshly paved and is looking great for whatever weather decides to come next.

Hydro-Flo(TM) Pavers work incredibly well by themselves, allowing around 3 inches of water per hour to stay on site. However, with some creative thinking, the designers of the Pacific Avenue project incorporated another new idea to prevent excess runoff. In this project, Bioswales are used in conjunction with Hydro-Flo Pavingstones to eliminate even more runoff, allowing the water to trickle back in the the earth. These Bioswales can be constructed using our Rumble Retainer Blocks (see our article on Rumble Retainer Blocks for more information), which can also be made using Hydro-Flo Technology.

With all the sand from the beach, the surface of the pavers is already covered. Since Hydro-Flo pavers do not depend on holes for their porosity, the excess sand will not clog our pavers. They will be ready to return water into the soil underneath, hopefully preventing chemicals in the runoff from reaching the ocean.

                                                           Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Roof Garden and Podium Paver Tiles

Looking for a quick way to beautify an area? Over large paved areas, our one inch paver tiles can quickly change the look and feel of your project. Cover a driveway or entryway. Create a patio focal point in your backyard. These stones deliver excellent results at a fraction of the cost and weight!

Photo courtesy of: english-heritage.org.uk

Our One Inch Paver tiles are designed to be lightweight for various project applications. These paver tiles are perfect for creating roof gardens or podium roofs. These tiles allow you create an elegant walking path to a sitting area without the weight concerns of other paving materials.

These tiles are even available with Hydro-Flo Hybrid(TM) technology, enabling water runoff prevention, and possibly aiding in collection of rainwater. Hydro-Flo technology allows the Pavers to be right next to each other, not leaving unsightly gaps that also pose trip hazards.

Paver tiles cover existing  driveway for an elegant new look

Paver tiles are stronger than poured concrete or cement, but are best suited for pedestrian traffic without additional support. We have just completed our Roof Garden and Podium Paver tile Pamphlet. For more information, please contact us on Twitter, Facebook, or our websites (www.pacinterlock.com or www.hydro-flotechnology.com).

There are a few projects with specifications for our 1" Hydro-Flo Paver tiles for use on Garden roofs. We will be sure to keep you updated on the progress of these projects.

Palo Alto Offers Rebate for Installing Hydro-Flo Hybrid(TM) Permeable Pavers

The city of Palo Alto, in order to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff, have begun to encourage homeowners and businesses to invest in permeable driving surfaces. The City of Palo Alto is offering $1.50 rebate per square foot (up to $1000 residential, $10,000 commercial), which makes these paving products fiscally competitive with normal paving methods.

There are three primary classes of permeable paving products; porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and permeable interlocking concrete pavers. All these products depend on one principle: holes. The holes weaken the final product and can also pose trip hazards. Also, there are maintenance costs since the holes can be plugged with debris.

A courtyard at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, with Hydro-Flo(TM) Pavers installed

The Hydro-Flo Pavingstone is in a class all its own. Its percolation system does not depend on holes for drainage, so it does not have any of these drawbacks. It looks exactly like our regular pavingstones, but it has been modified with our Hydro-Flo Technology to enable over 3 inches of water per hour to pass through.

Take advantage of this rebate offer. Using permeable pavers can help you to take advantage of LEED points as well. There are many other benefits to this product. For more information on our product, please visit our website: www.hydro-flotechnology.com. For more information on the potential for rebates, visit: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/, or your local city website to see if similar rebates are available.

First Net Zero Energy House in CA utilizes Hydro-Flo Hybrid (TM) Permeable Pavingstones

Who imagined that a 3200 sq.ft. luxury house, with all modern conveniences would be able to offset its energy costs? One Sky Homes is nearing completion of just such a project. The house on Cottle will be the first Net Zero Energy house in California. The term "Net Zero" refers to a house's ability to offset the amount of energy used with the amount produced by the house. As you can imagine, the house itself depends on an entirely new thought process.

First of all, the house is focused on reducing the need for power. Heating and cooling systems are among the biggest energy consumers. With that in mind, insulation and air tightness become major factors. The house has some incredible innovations to prevent the transfer of heat, either in or out. The house can actually heat itself with a hair dryer, though the hair dryer is less efficient than the house's own heating system. These systems reduce the need for energy, which can thereby reduce the amount of energy that the house must obtain.

The size of the solar panels can be reduced (if needed) or the extra power can be sent back to the grid. The house has many incredible features, including an electric car charger, triple paned windows and a combination solar/gas water heater. We encourage you to check out more information on the home at oneskyhomes.com.

We are excited to see so many creative ideas in the construction industry right now. Further showing their commitment to protecting the environment, One Sky Homes is using our Hydro-Flo pavers for the driveway. It will be constructed using our Canyon Rock series stones, which feature a tumbled, earthy appearence that blend in with the natural stone accents surrounding the house. These pavingstones will prevent runoff that can carry pollutants and will reduce the strain on the sewer system. Furthermore, the water will instead be returned to underground aquifers.

These things are only a small step toward the future, but the thought process is headed in the right direction. If there is one thing we can learn from this house, it is that you can create a lasting beautiful space, that will respect the environment.