Drainage concrete is used to pave outdoor surfaces that need to be water permeable. The concrete suppresses weeds and you can use it, for example, to pave paths in the garden.
In a nutshell
- prevents waterlogging and is frost-resistant
- consists of cement, sand and water
- ideal for patios and driveways
- easy to process
- don't use too much water
Table of contents
- Characteristics
- composition
- areas of application
- processing
- frequently asked Questions
Characteristics
Drainage concrete has large pores, which makes it permeable to water and you can prevent water from accumulating on the surface.
Advantages
- prevents waterlogging
- prevents moisture damage to the masonry
- reduces risk of cracks on path covers
- suitable as a bedding layer
- suitable for load distribution
composition
Drainage concrete consists of three components:
- binder
- grit
- Water
Cement is used as a binder. This connects the granulation, which mostly consists of sand, with each other. Occasionally, grit is used as grit. As a result, the cement becomes more coarse-pored and is well suited for the substrate. On average, the drainage concrete has a grain size of 8 to 22 mm. Little cement is needed for drainage concrete so that the water permeability is maintained. The mixture of binder and grain is commercially available. So that all components can be connected to each other, it needs the water that you add immediately before processing.
areas of application
Water-permeable concrete is used where no water is allowed to remain on the surface outdoors. The material is used in public areas such as streets, footpaths or cycle paths. Drainage concrete is also used for noise protection walls.
In the private sector, the material is also suitable as a base layer for various areas:
- driveways
- terraces
- paths in the garden around the house
Although the water-permeable concrete is more expensive than sand or gravel as a substrate, the material is much more stable. The fixed concrete sub-layer reduces the risk of slabs shifting or weeds growing through. In addition, the concrete prevents the surfaces from sagging and unevenness.
To the surfaces are clean also easy. Compared to other types of fastening for floors outdoors, water does drain off, but the dirt remains on the surface and can be swept away.
A notice: Drainage concrete already forms a good substrate with a thin layer. It is suitable for areas where, due to its load-bearing capacity, thick, heavy fill cannot be used as a substrate.
processing
The dry concrete from the trade can be mixed yourself, but you have to pay attention to the right consistency. Do not add too much water to the dry concrete at first, but gradually add it in small amounts.
Instructions for processing:
- Protect skin and eyes as concrete is alkaline
- Pour dry concrete into a bucket
- add some water
- mix to a homogeneous mass
You can use a drill mixer attachment or a cement mixer to mix. To check that the drainage concrete has the right consistency, form a small ball. This should hold together tightly but not be dripping wet. Work the finished concrete quickly and protect it from rain for at least three days so that it can harden completely.
Tip: Give yourself enough time to mix. It takes a few minutes for the dry concrete to fully absorb the moisture and for its binding properties to take effect.
frequently asked Questions
Yes, the difference is in the grain size. Drainage mortar is finer than drainage concrete. Concrete is mainly used for coarser surfaces or for substructures on paths. Mortar, on the other hand, is suitable for fine work because it allows for a smoother surface.
In the trade, drainage concrete is occasionally offered under the designation single-grain concrete, filter concrete or percolation concrete. In all cases, the material is the same and the concrete is processed in the same way.
No, for grouting or you need a so-called medium-bed mortar as a bonding course. You can use this to create a bonding bridge and patches or plasters. Plates are stuck on it. The bonding layer is applied to the back of the stones to be laid and then pressed into the fresh mortar bed.