Roads and weather: an often unfortunate combination. Sometimes, however, the solution is simpler than you might think. To prevent water in summer and ice in winter from negatively impacting a road surface, simply opt for natural pavements that use eco-friendly yet cutting-edge technologies, perfect for increasing the durability of roads and paths , both vehicular and pedestrian. But before we explore how natural pavements react to water and ice , let's take a step back to first understand when a pavement can be considered natural and, more importantly, why weather can have negative consequences on road surfaces.
Discovering natural flooring: what is it?
Natural pavements include all pedestrian, cycle, and driveway surfaces made with eco-friendly materials with a low environmental impact . The use of eco-friendly raw materials, however, in no way means reducing the performance of a road or pavement, but rather adapting it to a new and widespread trend that places sustainability at the top of the list of priorities, both productive and otherwise. The use of eco-friendly materials, in fact, in addition to ensuring the creation of environmentally friendly pavements, simultaneously ensures high performance in terms of both resistance and durability. As we will see, in fact, eco-friendly roads react very well to the presence of water and, in winter, to the formation of ice . In addition to ensuring a draining surface , therefore, it also prevents the formation of potholes.
Natural pavements, water and ice: what is the connection?
Let's look at a few examples you've probably encountered at least once in your life. How many times have you found your driveway flooded? And how many times have you discovered new potholes on your regular country or city road? This is no small problem, because it affects traffic itself, both pedestrian and motor vehicle. The reasons for road damage are essentially the reaction of the road surface material to weather conditions . So, let's find out how traditional and natural pavements behave when exposed to water and ice.
Traditional flooring
Traditional pavements , including sidewalks, are often made from asphalt, a conglomerate sensitive to both temperature changes and the presence of rainwater. An example will illustrate the dynamics that lead to road surface cracking: asphalt made from bitumen is softer in the summer, becoming harder and more brittle in the winter. Sudden drops in temperature will cause the road to become prone to cracking, which in turn allows rainwater to infiltrate when it rains, preventing it from being properly drained. In winter, the water will tend to freeze, expanding the pavement and creating "empty" areas. Eventually, the road surface will detach, forming dangerous potholes due to water infiltration and subsequent ice formation.
Natural floors
Things are different if we're walking on natural flooring, which is much more compatible with water and ice. Why does this happen? The "secret" lies in the materials used to create it: technological innovation has led to the development of eco-friendly mixes that possess greater thermal stability.
Furthermore, natural pavements are draining and permeable , especially because they comply with the principle (which often becomes a constraint) of hydraulic invariance . This allows water to flow easily into the underlying soil without being trapped within the pavement itself. The proper flow of rainwater will prevent expansion zones in the road surface, especially in the event of sudden frost. The pavement, therefore, will maintain its high performance over time, preventing the formation of cracks or, worse, potholes that are dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicles.
In natural floors, water and ice are not a problem
Therefore, choosing eco-friendly walking surfaces solves the problem of precipitation and its impact on roads, parking lots, and pedestrian and bike paths in nature. Today, there are numerous solutions available, both for private individuals and individual municipalities. Stabilized earth from Terra Solida , a leading natural paving company, is perfect for nature paths that require functionality. The company's range of eco-friendly binders is also perfect for creating surfaces that are also suitable for urban environments (such as parking lots or squares) while still being environmentally friendly. In short, there's no shortage of solutions today, and we hope that the future of road systems will be increasingly green.
