My Adventure With DIY Concrete Foundations

Interesting to hear your experience with permeable pavers. I've been considering them myself, but honestly, the prep work you mentioned is exactly what's holding me back. A neighbor of mine installed them a couple years ago, and while they looked great initially, they've started to shift a bit—nothing major, but enough to notice. Maybe it's down to the base prep or soil type? I'm curious if anyone else has seen similar issues over time.

Personally, I've had better luck with gravel grids. They're permeable too, but installation felt simpler and quicker. Plus, they're pretty forgiving if the ground underneath isn't perfectly level. Not as sleek-looking as pavers, I'll admit, but they've held up nicely through heavy rains without any noticeable shifting or settling. Just another option to consider if you're looking for something permeable but less labor-intensive...

Good points on gravel grids, but I've found they can be tricky if you get a lot of leaf litter or debris. They tend to clog up over time, and cleaning them out isn't exactly fun. I've had permeable pavers down for about five years now—no shifting yet, but I spent ages on prep and used a thicker base than recommended. Honestly, I think most shifting issues come down to skimping on the base or drainage layer...

"Honestly, I think most shifting issues come down to skimping on the base or drainage layer..."

Couldn't agree more with this. I've seen neighbors rush through prep work, and within a year or two, their patios look like rollercoasters. It's tempting to cut corners when you're knee-deep in gravel and sand, but it always comes back to bite you.

Regarding gravel grids, you're right about debris buildup—it's definitely a hassle. One thing I've found helpful is using a leaf blower regularly to clear out the grids before stuff gets compacted. Doesn't completely solve the issue, but it does keep maintenance manageable.

Permeable pavers seem like a solid choice if you're willing to invest upfront in proper prep. Five years without shifting is impressive, especially if you've got heavy rains or freeze-thaw cycles. Makes me wonder if manufacturers undersell how much base material you really need...

Definitely agree about the prep work being crucial—learned that lesson myself when I first tackled a patio. Thought I'd save some time (and money) by cutting back on gravel, and sure enough, two winters later it started sinking in spots. Ended up having to pull half of it up and redo the base properly. Lesson learned the hard way.

About permeable pavers, I've been curious but hesitant exactly because of the debris issue. The leaf blower trick sounds decent, but does anyone find weeds creeping through more often with permeable setups? I've heard mixed experiences on that front.

Manufacturers probably do undersell the base requirements a bit—maybe to make DIY seem less intimidating? But honestly, I'd rather know upfront what I'm getting into than deal with headaches later.

"does anyone find weeds creeping through more often with permeable setups?"

I've actually found permeable setups get fewer weeds overall—mainly because water doesn't pool and seeds don't settle as easily. Debris can be a pain, sure, but I'll take leaf blowing over weed pulling any day...