Confusion about grade/slope
#1
08-14-20, 11:36 AM
Confusion about grade/slope
Hello.
I want to make a stand alone paver patio (not connected to the house). The size of the patio in 12x12. And if I go with 1/4 slope/ft it will total to 3'' total drop from end to end. Now, I want ideally the patio to be flushed with the ground. But I'm I right that after grading, one end of the patio will be in level with the ground, but the opposite end will be 3'' below the ground? Like the picture shows. This does not make sense to me. Yes, the water will flow down the grade but then will puddle on the lower end.
Thank you.
I want to make a stand alone paver patio (not connected to the house). The size of the patio in 12x12. And if I go with 1/4 slope/ft it will total to 3'' total drop from end to end. Now, I want ideally the patio to be flushed with the ground. But I'm I right that after grading, one end of the patio will be in level with the ground, but the opposite end will be 3'' below the ground? Like the picture shows. This does not make sense to me. Yes, the water will flow down the grade but then will puddle on the lower end.
Thank you.
#2
08-14-20, 01:12 PM
Group Moderator
If the ground were totally level I would do the patio in a dome shape. Make the high spot in the middle. Then it only needs to be 1 1/2" higher than the edges to provide 1/4" per foot slope since the center is only 6' away from an edge.
XSleeper
voted this post useful.
#3
08-14-20, 01:22 PM
Member
The 1/4" per ft is for pipes.drains, a patio doesn't need that much, maybe 1/8" per ft. but if not against a house do as PD states, slightly higher in the middle with just a bit of slope to the sides! Doesn't need much!
#4
08-14-20, 04:02 PM
Member
You'll regret making it level with the ground, for a couple of reasons.
#1, Over time it's going to sink some and it will become below grade.
#2, You'll never stop the top soil from washing onto the patio and grass trying to spread out over it so you'll have to edge it with a trimmer every time you mow it.
I have to deal with this every week where my customers decided to do walkways level with the yard, every time it rains there covered with mud.
#1, Over time it's going to sink some and it will become below grade.
#2, You'll never stop the top soil from washing onto the patio and grass trying to spread out over it so you'll have to edge it with a trimmer every time you mow it.
I have to deal with this every week where my customers decided to do walkways level with the yard, every time it rains there covered with mud.
XSleeper
voted this post useful.
#6
08-15-20, 02:54 PM
Group Moderator
I too like to have the patio above the soil level, but I don't go above the height of mowed grass. I shoot for somewhere in between. Dirt will always get on the patio and with the patio an inch or so above the soil rain can wash the dirt off the edge. If it is flush with the soil then the dirt can't flow off and it starts to accumulate. And only being an inch or so above grade it's easy to mow over the edge so there is no trimming.
