I think permeable pavers can be worth it, but it really depends on your specific situation. If you're dealing with heavy rainfall or have drainage issues already, they can genuinely help manage runoff and reduce pooling. A buddy of mine installed them because his yard slopes toward the house, and he swears by them now—no more soggy patches or mini lakes after storms.
On the other hand, if your property drains well naturally and you have decent soil, the extra cost and maintenance might not pay off. They do require periodic cleaning to keep the pores clear, which isn't a huge deal but something to consider. Personally, if I were starting over, I'd probably stick with traditional pavers and just invest in thorough base prep and proper slope. Seems simpler overall...but that's just me.
We installed permeable pavers for a client a couple years back who had similar drainage issues—yard sloped toward their patio doors and they'd regularly get water pooling after storms. Honestly, the permeable solution did wonders for them, but the key was definitely in the prep work. We had to excavate deeper than usual, lay down multiple layers of graded gravel, and compact thoroughly at each stage. It was a bit more labor-intensive than typical installs, but it made all the difference.
That said, I do agree with you about maintenance. They'd call periodically because leaves and debris would clog things up slightly, and we'd recommend a quick pressure wash or sweeping with a stiff-bristle broom every few months. Not terrible upkeep, but something extra to think about if you're not keen on regular outdoor chores.
If I were doing my own yard from scratch today, I'd probably still lean toward permeable—but only because I've seen firsthand how effective they can be with proper installation. If your drainage is already decent though...traditional pavers with a solid base prep might indeed be simpler and more cost-effective in the long run.
Interesting points about permeable pavers. I've always been a bit skeptical about them, mostly because of the maintenance factor you mentioned. I mean, who really wants another outdoor chore, right? But your experience does make me reconsider a bit. Curious though—did you notice any difference in durability or settling issues compared to traditional installs after a few years? That's always been my main hesitation...
Had permeable pavers installed about five years back—honestly, durability-wise, they've held up surprisingly well. But yeah, the settling is real. Had to fix a couple spots after heavy rains...not terrible, but definitely something to factor in.
Had a similar experience with permeable pavers on a small commercial lot we developed a few years ago. Durability-wise, totally agree—they've held up better than expected. But yeah, the settling issue caught us off guard too. After the first big storm, we noticed some uneven spots forming, nothing major but enough to be noticeable.
If I had to start over, I'd definitely spend more time prepping the base. We initially compacted the gravel base pretty thoroughly, but looking back, I think we underestimated how much drainage and soil type would affect settling. Next time around, I'd probably go deeper with the gravel layer and maybe even add a geotextile fabric underneath to help stabilize things. A bit more upfront effort, but probably worth it to avoid those annoying little fixes down the road...
