Thursday, February 25, 2010
Will the system stay permeable forever?
As a permeable system the Gravel-Lok bonded pavement is full of voids which allow water to pass through. Like any other permeable pavement those same voids will eventually get clogged with dirt, dust, debris and this will reduce permeability over time . There are vacuum services specifically designed for porous pavements which are becoming increasingly popular. Recommended cleaning depends on site conditions and the amount of sediments the system is exposed to. Without maintenance, typical permeable systems become completely clogged within 5 - 7 years.
What type of maintenance can I expect with the Gravel-Lok pavement?
Gravel-Lok is relatively maintenance-free and no annual treatment is necessary. If the system is being used for vehicular traffic some loose stones may occur depending on the type of stone used and degree of abuse. Typically, you can expect about 1% of stones to dislodge or become loose in about a 5 year period. If desired, a disturbed area can be treated with more Gravel-Lok.
Will snow plowing affect the pavement? What about salt?
Snow plowing has the potential to damage the pavement but this can be minimized if you use a rubber blade on the plow and exercise caution. Obviously, the type of stones will make a difference too. Harder stones such as marble and granite will be more durable. Softer stones are going to be more vulnerable. A snowblower would be a safe machine to use. Additionally, it is completely safe to apply salt for melting ice and snow.
How does Gravel-Lok perform under freeze/thaw cycles?
If installed properly, with adequate base materials that allow for drainage, Gravel-Lok will withstand freeze/thaw cycles. If freeze/thaw cycles are a concern then we suggest creating expansion joints (saw cut) at appropriate intervals.
What type of maintenance can I expect with the Gravel-Lok pavement?
Gravel-Lok is designed to be maintenance-free and no annual treatment is necessary. If the system is being used for vehicular traffic some loose stones may occur depending on the type of stone used and degree of abuse. Typically, you can expect about 1% of stones to break off or become loose in about a 5 year period. If desired, a disturbed area can be treated with more Gravel-Lok.
How long will it last?
If installed properly the Gravel-Lok pavement will have the same lifespan as other forms of pavement such as concrete or asphalt.
How strong is Gravel-Lok?
Gravel-Lok is a system. The top layer of bonded aggregates has the structural integrity of asphalt. The key to any pavement surface is the foundation it is built on. Below the bonded aggregates is Cell Tek's Geocellular Confinement System which constrains open-graded aggregates. The passive resistance of the infilled cells prevents lateral movement and distributes the load over a wider area. The system also reduces the impact on the subgrade up to 28% while reducing the amount of base material required.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Leveling Stones with a Lawn Roller
A lawn roller is the best solution for leveling out stones prior to installing the Gravel-Lok bonding agent. The roller flattens out the stones helping to create the smoothest surface possible.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Gravel-Lok Demo Days Rescheduled for March 3, 2010
The Demo Day Scheduled for 2/24 has been RESCHEDULED for March 3rd, 2010 from 8-9:30am and 10:30am-12pm at the Cell-Tek office in Crofton MD. PLEASE call to RSVP and hold your spot. E-mail info@celltekdirect.com for RSVP, questions, directions, etc.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Gravel-Lok Demo Days
Hello Friends,
This year we will be holding training sessions to learn more about our products and installation procedures. The sessions last for about 2 hours and provides an incredible opportunity to learn more about geosynthetics. You are more than welcome to come join us as well as bring a coworker or friend to the event. We look forward to working with you in the future and want to help make your projects better with the use of geosynthetics.
The Demo Day Scheduled for 2/24 has been RESCHEDULED for March 3rd, 2010 from 8-9:30am and 10:30am-12pm. PLEASE call to RSVP and hold your spot. E-mail info@celltekdirect.com
Cured Product: MSDS
One of the primary concerns when placing permeable materials near plant life and over soil is the longterm safety of the product. Will the product leach into the ground? Is it carcinogenic? These are questions commonly asked by design professional when considering which product to use. On the Cell-Tek website you can find posted a copy of the Gravel-Lok MSDS (cured Product) report.
In the report you will discover that Gravel-Lok in its cured state becomes an inert substance meaning it becomes chemically inactive. The physical state is a solid which is not soluble in water. The cured product is stable and not reactive.
The toxicological findings show that it is not considered a carcinogen with the following agencies:
1. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
2. National Toxicology Program (NTP)
3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
In the report you will discover that Gravel-Lok in its cured state becomes an inert substance meaning it becomes chemically inactive. The physical state is a solid which is not soluble in water. The cured product is stable and not reactive.
The toxicological findings show that it is not considered a carcinogen with the following agencies:
1. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
2. National Toxicology Program (NTP)
3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
