Need concrete pad slope advice

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bradleyheathhays

bradleyheathhays

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Joined
Mar 26, 2021
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131
Location
Lexington, Ky
I'm getting ready to pour about a 10' x 20' slab in my backyard that's to serve as the base for a lightweight aviary enclosure, or really big outdoor bird cage. I'm tight on funds getting this whole thing done, so I'll probably just shoot for 3" thick. I just ran a water tube level between two of the opposite corners, and I'm seeing a 12"+ grade difference, which is a good deal more than I had anticipated. The floor needs to be sloped somewhat for water runoff after cleanings, but 12" over 22ft may be too much.

So my question is...what kind of slope should I aim for that won't feel TOO tilted when walking on it, but won't kill my back digging out the foundation enough to make it more level?
 
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1/4" per foot works well for patios so why not for what you have. Plus if you do a broom finish broom it at that slope.
 
Keep in mind that with a 3" thick outdoor slab around Lexington you need to make sure that not only is the slab sloped well away from the house (John's recommendation is fine) but that you need to ensure you do not get/trap water under the slab or it will suffer from the winter freezes.
 
Prior to the pour, a good base of gravel with a really good tamping will definitely help. The 1/4" per foot slope should be more than sufficient. I would consider a smooth troweled finish if for no other reason than ease of cleaning. A simple water hose will work on a smooth finish but the broom finish may require pressure washing.
 
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