Pedestrian Paver HydroSTON 50

Yes, HydroSTON pavers can be installed on driveways with slopes up to 7% without adversely affecting infiltration performance. However, infiltration decreases as the slope increases.

The principal effect of slope on any permeable pavement is the degree of infiltration of rain and stormwater. The greater the slope, the faster will water move over the pavement hindering infiltration through the pavement. This applies particularly to periods of heavy rainfall.

HydroSTON is porous and free draining across the full face and body of the paver. While HydroSTON functions best in terms of permeability when laid at zero gradient, HydroSTON permeable pavements may be constructed on slopes up to at least 7% (gradient of approx 1:14) without adverse effect on infiltration performance.

A number of HydroSTON driveways have been installed in high gradient situations and appear to be effectively capturing and infiltrating rainfall. Light rainfall should be infiltrated regardless of slope.

Steep driveways may have a higher rate of abrasion over time from braking and acceleration. Should damage occur, however, the segmental paving units can be easily lifted and turned over or replaced with new units.

Joints are generally not required for HydroSTON pavers. For heavy loads on vehicle pavements with HydroSTON 80, joints filled with crushed aggregate should be considered.

Gap joints are not required with HydroSTON 50 pavers, which are intended for pedestrian only purposes. Joints are not required because the loading on footpaths, courtyards etc is minimal.

HydroSTON 60 & 80 vehicle pavements intended for light vehicles eg residential driveways, carparks and parking spaces are laid without gap joints.

When HydroSTON 80 vehicle pavements are to be subject to heavy loadings eg semi-trailers, fire engines or garbage trucks, pavers could be laid with 4mm av. joints to ensure lock up of the pavement and provide flexibility of movement of individual pavers under load. Joints should be filled and compacted with 1-3mm low fines crushed rock.

HydroSTON pavers are available in standard colours such as Charcoal and Light Grey. More than 30 colour options that can be custom ordered. See colour options here.

Yes, HydroSTON® permeable concrete pavers are suitable for wheelchair use and spaces that require inclusive, mobility-accessible surfaces. They comply with key Australian Standards, including AS 1428.1:2009 (Design for Access and Mobility – Part 1). HydroSTON pavers provide a firm, stable, and smooth surface, manufactured to tight dimensional tolerances for seamless, gap-free installation. They also feature a P5 slip resistance rating, the highest classification for wet surfaces, ensuring safety in all conditions. When installed according to specification, HydroSTON delivers a fully compliant, wheelchair-friendly surface ideal for public paths, plazas, and other accessible environments.

For a bevel-free surface, the pavers can be laid with the underside facing upwards in pedestrian-only applications.

Regular brushing or vacuuming is recommended to keep the surface free of debris. If infiltration decreases, high-pressure wet suction cleaning can restore performance​​.

If an oil spill occurs on HydroSTON permeable pavers, follow these steps to ensure that  permeability and appearance are maintained:

Absorb the Oil: Immediately after the spill, apply absorbent materials like cat litter, sand, or a commercial oil absorbent to soak up the excess oil. Let it sit for at least 15-30 minutes, then sweep or vacuum it up.

Use a Degreaser or Mild Detergent: Apply a concrete-safe degreaser or a mild detergent mixed with warm water to the affected area. Gently scrub the surface with a stiff bristle brush, focusing on the oil-stained areas.

Pressure Wash: After scrubbing, rinse the area with a low-pressure washer to help remove any remaining oil and detergent. Be sure to avoid excessive pressure that could damage the paver surface.

Wet Vacuuming or Suction Equipment: For deep cleaning, especially after larger spills, use wet suction equipment or a vacuum specifically designed for cleaning permeable pavements. This will help restore the permeability by removing oil and debris from within the paver’s pores.

Remove and Clean Affected Pavers: If the oil has deeply penetrated the pavers, individual pavers can be easily lifted using a paver puller. Once removed, the pavers can be cleaned offsite using a degreaser and pressure washing. Allow them to dry completely before reinstallation.

Replace Severely Affected Pavers: If the pavers cannot be adequately cleaned, they can be replaced with new ones. HydroSTON pavers are available in standard sizes and colors, making replacements seamless.

• Reinstall the Pavers: After cleaning or replacing, reinstall the pavers in their original positions, ensuring the base and bedding layers are level and intact. Compact the pavers gently with a rubber mallet to ensure they are secure.

Preventive Maintenance: Regular cleaning, such as sweeping or vacuuming, can help prevent oil buildup and maintain the pavers’ appearance and functionality.

HydroSTON 80 vehicle pavers are designed to withstand heavy loads, including garbage trucks and fire engines, when installed according to recommended guidelines​​.

You can request samples or a quote by contacting HydroCon.

HydroSTON 80 (4.5kg) and HydroSTON 50 Block (1.9kg) pavers can be sent via post​​.

HydroSTON pavers, when properly maintained, can last for at least 25 to 30 years or longer. Their longevity is primarily dependent on regular cleaning and maintenance to preserve infiltration performance, but the high-quality materials used in their construction, such as quartz aggregate, ensure their durability over time.

If maintained correctly—through periodic brushing, vacuuming, and possibly occasional high-pressure cleaning.

Please contact HydroCon for current HydroSTON installations near you.

Yes, HydroSTON permeable pavements can be successfully installed on low permeability subgrades such as heavy clay or silty clay soils.

In these conditions, a no-infiltration system is typically adopted. This involves installing an impermeable liner beneath the base course, together with slotted drainage pipes (ag-lines) within the substructure. These pipes collect and convey captured stormwater to an appropriate discharge point, such as a stormwater system, landscaped area, or water harvesting system.

For sites with moderately permeable soils (e.g. sandy clay), a partial infiltration system may be suitable. In this case, the impermeable liner may not be required, allowing some infiltration into the subgrade, while slotted drainage pipes are still incorporated to manage excess water during larger rainfall events.

The pavement structure and installation methodology remain consistent with standard HydroSTON construction, with adjustments made to suit site-specific soil conditions and hydraulic requirements.

Even when designed as a no-infiltration system, HydroSTON provides a range of important benefits:

• Temporary storage and controlled discharge of stormwater
• Improved water quality, with pollutants retained within the pavement and substructure
• Elimination of surface ponding, enhancing safety and usability during rainfall events
• Opportunity for water harvesting and reuse, where drainage is directed to storage systems

This flexibility allows HydroSTON to be used effectively across a wide range of ground conditions, including sites where traditional infiltration systems are not feasible.

Yes, wheel stops can be installed on HydroSTON H80 pavements, however they must be properly anchored.
The granular base and bedding layers used in HydroSTON construction are not suitable for fixing structural elements. If wheel stops are fixed to the pavers only, there is a risk of paver loosening, or displacement under impact.

The recommended approach is to install a concrete footing or pad beneath the pavers where wheel stops are to be installed, typically constructed at the same time as the perimeter strip footings. The wheel stop can then be fixed through the pavers and securely anchored into the concrete / pads, using appropriate mechanical fixings.

This method ensures a stable, durable installation and prevents movement or damage under load.

Yes, HydroSTON permeable concrete pavers are designed to meet the relevant performance requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022, Volumes One & Two), when installed in accordance with HydroCon specifications.

HydroSTON has been assessed against key NCC provisions, including:

• Structural performance (Part B1): Suitable for vehicular and pedestrian loads when installed correctly
• Slip resistance (Part F2.1): Achieves P5 classification, the highest rating for wet conditions
• Surface water management (Part F8): Free-draining system that reduces ponding and supports effective drainage
• Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD): Reduces runoff, improves water quality, and supports groundwater recharge

When installed as specified, HydroSTON pavements are considered to satisfy the relevant NCC performance provisions for strength, safety, and stormwater management.

Yes, selected HydroSTON permeable concrete paver colours have been independently tested for Luminous Reflectance Value (LRV) in accordance with AS 1428.1-2009 (Design for Access and Mobility).

LRV measures the percentage of visible light reflected from a surface and is used to assess visual contrast between adjacent materials, which is important for accessibility and wayfinding in public environments.

The following LRV values (dry condition) are available for selected HydroSTON colours:

• Pearl: 44.1
• Light Grey: 32.8
• Sandstone: 29.4
• Papyrus: 25.3
• Peppercorn: 12.9
• Charcoal: 11.2

HydroSTON is available in over 30 colour options, with LRV data currently available for the colours listed above. Designers can combine lighter and darker tones to achieve the required visual contrast in accordance with accessibility standards.

Where HydroSTON pavements are installed within or near Notional Root Zones (NRZ) or Structural Root Zones (SRZ), conventional continuous concrete strip footings may not be suitable, as they require excavation that can damage or sever roots.

In these situations, alternative edge restraint solutions can be adopted to minimise root disturbance while maintaining pavement stability:

• Relocate primary edge restraint (preferred where feasible):
  Install a conventional concrete strip footing outside the root zone, and use a lighter edge system within the NRZ/SRZ to locally contain the pavement.
• Fabricated steel edge (most suitable within root zones):
  Use galvanised steel plate or channel (typically 250–300 mm deep) fixed with driven steel pins. This system can be installed without continuous trenching and can be adjusted around major roots, while still providing full confinement of the pavement structure.
• Raise pavement level (if possible):
  The finished pavement level can be raised so that the pavement structure sits above the existing root zone. This avoids excavation within the NRZ/SRZ altogether and is often preferred where significant roots are present, subject to arborist approval and site constraints.

These approaches allow HydroSTON to be used in sensitive tree environments while balancing tree protection requirements and pavement performance.

The use of a high-porosity non-woven geotextile between the bedding layer and base course is generally not requiredin standard HydroSTON applications.

A geotextile can provide separation between the two layers and help reduce the potential for smaller bedding aggregates to migrate into the larger voids of the base course, maintaining a consistent bedding surface during installation.

However, when the base course and bedding materials are appropriately selected (for example, a 20 mm coarse base over a 5 mm coarse bedding, up to a 4:1 ratio) and both layers are properly compacted, the aggregates tend to interlock naturally. Under these conditions, the risk of material migration is low and the additional benefit of a geotextile layer is limited.

It is also important to consider that a geotextile introduces a lower-friction interface between layers. In sloped areas or pavements subject to heavy braking, acceleration or turning movements, this may reduce interlayer stability.

For these reasons, geotextile is typically not required, but may still be included where specific site conditions or design preferences warrant its use.

Yes, tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI) can be installed on HydroSTON® permeable pavers.

TGSI units are typically installed after the HydroSTON pavers have been laid, and can be fixed directly to the paver surface using a suitable high-bond adhesive. Depending on project requirements, mechanical fixings such as stainless-steel screws or anchors may also be used.

This approach allows integration of compliant tactile indicators while maintaining the integrity and performance of the permeable pavement system.

Yes, line marking, parking stripes, and other surface markings can be applied to HydroSTON® pavements using paints suitable for concrete surfaces.

It should be noted that paint will reduce permeability in the areas where it is applied. However, as marked areas are typically small relative to the overall pavement surface, the impact on the overall permeability and performance of the HydroSTON system is generally minimal.

No, coatings or sealers should not be applied to HydroSTON® permeable pavements.

Applying any surface coating will clog the voids within the pavers, preventing water from infiltrating through the surface and compromising the permeability and performance of the system.

Yes, park benches and other fixed elements can be installed on HydroSTON pavements, provided they are properly anchored.

The granular base and bedding layers used in HydroSTON construction are not suitable for supporting or fixing structural elements. If items are fixed directly to the pavers only, there is a risk of paver movement, loosening, or displacement under load.

The recommended approach is to install a concrete footing or pad beneath the paver level at the location of the element, designed to support the expected loads. This is typically constructed at the same time as the perimeter strip footings. The element can then be fixed through the pavers and securely anchored into the concrete using appropriate mechanical fixings.

This method ensures a stable, durable installation and prevents movement or damage under load.

For shared pedestrian and cycle pathways, HydroSTON® 80 is generally recommended.

While bicycles are relatively light, shared paths are typically designed for higher durability due to point loading and occasional service vehicle access. HydroSTON 80 provides greater strength and long-term stability in these applications.

HydroSTON 50 is more suitable for pedestrian-only areas, such as footpaths, courtyards, and plazas where vehicle or bicycle loading is not expected.