This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw welcomes David Maxwell from Romex Canada to discuss their line of permeable landscaping products.

About David Maxwell

David Maxwell has been in sales since he graduated from Mount Allison. With over 10 years of experience in construction sales, he has a strong knowledge in the landscaping construction side with experience in green roofs and hardscapes.

ROMEX North America is the exclusive supplier of the German-engineered ROMEX hardscape solutions product line throughout North America. They provide not only the products but expert advice, planning, estimates, installer training, and world-class customer service.

Here are some of the topics covered in this episode:

• The term "permeable" and what it will mean going forward in the landscape industry.
  • The exact definition is "a material or membrane" allowing liquids or gases to pass through it.
• Note that permeable pavers do not mean that the actual paver is permeable; it means the patio or walkway is installed to be permeable with a proper base and joint sand.
• Joint sand: David discussed the differences between non-permeable and permeable applications for interlocking.
  • The benefits and importance of managing the water as water is truly what causes installations to fail.
• Currently, polymeric sand is used in most standard landscape installations.
  • Polymeric sand is engineered with an adhesive binding agent that is activated upon getting wet. The sand is swept into the joints, making sure the joints are full and then the interlocking is watered well to activate the hardening process. It turns into a grout or concrete-like material. This also means that once dry, water will not penetrate the joints and therefore the interlocking is not permeable.
• David explains the German technology behind Romex
  • A resin sand is permeable vs. a polymeric sand that is not.
• How is it different/unique?
  • It hardens to prevent weeds and ants but is still allows for the water to flow through it for better drainage.
• As cities and municipalities continue to look for solutions to manage water in private and public installations, permeability will become a big factor.
• Proper installation? How do homeowners make sure?
  • Like all products, contractors must follow current practices to create a proper base for the interlocking and the sand that goes between the pavers.
• Dave reminds homeowners and contractors that there are a lot of resources on the Romex website
  • A Romex rep can help contractors with training and instructions on how to use the product.
  • It has a 10-year warranty when the proper steps have been followed.
  • Contractors need to register their project with Romex and have their base verified.
• What other products are available?
  • Romex also has a permeable gravel binding product available.
  • Once applied, it binds small particle aggregates together for a sold smooth surface but still allows for drainage.
• Can homeowners install these products themselves?
  • Some of their premixed products are easier for homeowners to install themselves.
  • Check out the Romex website for more information.
• Romex stresses the importance of working with water, not against it!

Where you can find Romex Canada:

• www.romexcanada.com
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

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You can also email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne via her website: down2earth.ca

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.