concrete slope ? for under cover ??

[Marctrees]

Building a typical pole building 30x40 shop, with a lean to shed roof on one gable end projecting 12 ft.

Planning concrete underneath shed roof.

Wondering what you guys think about what slope to do that slab?

Again, it's totally covered by shed roof, elevated on perimeter by like 4" above surrounding grade.

Water in this case will never run onto the slab from the edge anywhere.

So, ideally, it would be level, for like under canopy fabrication.

Gonna be wheeling my big heavy tablesaw rig out there to cut.

Would be great to have a level floor.


Canopy over whole floor, very un windy un stormy area.

Very high ground well drained area in general.


If that's dumb, can 1" in 12' be sufficient?? Marc

 

[DougWil]

Generally at least 1/8" per ft min. So 1" in 12" is a bit flat.
Isn't going to take much deviation in your slab or unequal settlement with 1/12 to have a puddle.

It is concrete finished by hand, not something off a surface grinder.

 

[Marctrees]

I really would like it level.

The shop slab where the overhead doors meet the slab, has that mini slope pocket thing.

And the apron slab would be like 1/2" lower than shop slab.

I don't mind sweeping a few little puddles occasionally.

I could even put in one of those trough drains between shop and shed slab, if I did it level, although in this particular case, I don't see it needed. Marc

 

[buddyboy]

you putting a smooth or broom finish? I'm assuming smooth.

you should be ok with 1/12, i'd want a little slope away from building just in case you ever want to hose it off or if you get a little sideways rain. if you ever enclose you'll have a flat shop floor.

 

[Marctrees]

Will be light, not coarse broom. Marc

 

[larry_g]

Understand that level and flat are two different things. If level is what you want then I would think that a flatness spec would also be called for to prevent 'birdbaths'. Me I would go with level, I did in my building, and infrequent times I do have birdbaths but not enough to cause problems. So if you understand the risks then go for it. Flat and level is great.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Warrenator]

I did level in my new shop, and spent 14 bucks at Home Depot for a floor squeegee. If I see a puddle I don't like, out the door it goes.

 

[MagKarl]

I use my outside covered slab as a work area. I pitched mine an inch or two in 12 feet. I like being able to hose it off or park a wet vehicle and water never migrates toward the building.

 

[Cyberbear]

I opted for a mere 1/2" slope in 15' of covered shed roof work area. Living in a dry climate I have had no problems with drainage from rain or minor snow. My out door slab is flush with my shop floor and makes rolling things easier when needed to be outside fabricating or spray painting. Flat is always easier for general fabrication purposes, I also had an excellent concrete guy that knows his business.

 

[kbs2244]

Pour it level.
Use a leaf blower to move/dry any water if you ever get any.

 

[930cabman]

A small amount of slope will not hurt anything, but potentially improve clean up. 1" in 10' gets my vote

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Unless your using a laser screed, have the concrete slump perfect and have the worlds best 'mud rubbers' (concrete finishers) you're not going to have a 'PERFECT' slab. If you are going to be working on the slab, pour it flat and buy a good squeegee. If you're just planning on parking stuff on it or washing cars on it, then slope it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Level is the best.....in theory. In the concrete world there is no level and birdbaths on a level pour means the concrete guys did the job right. 1" over 12 feet will not be noticeable to you but will work wonders in a strictly passive way after a hard driven rain.

Then again, if you really want to do extra work to keep the concrete dry, then by all means pour it "level". Just don't gripe when it isn't.

 

[Marctrees]

Ya, I don't perfect flat. Marc