Commercial properties need top-of-the-line sloping compounds in order to ensure the health and safety of all who use the structures. Proper sloping is essential in order to protect the structure. Here, we’ll go into more detail about the importance of proper sloping, what the ideal slope for your property is, and the best sloping compounds to use for your commercial projects.
Sloped surfaces are surfaces that are not level. Sloping is also called falling, grading, pitching, and angling. Not all surfaces need to be sloped.
The slope affects how water is shed from a surface. Proper sloping is essential in order to prevent pooling water and prolong the lifespan of low-slope roofs, decks, patios, driveways, and the like. Sloping away from structures so that the water runs away rather than towards them protects them from all sorts of damage.
Improper draining and excessive water can cause problems like concrete settling, erosion, standing water, leaks, rot, mold, and other types of water damage. Mosquitoes can use pooling water as a breeding ground. Slopes can help to prevent accidents by preventing pooling water and ensuring the proper flow of liquids.
Sloping makes your property safer, more hygienic, and helps it last longer.
The ideal slope depends on a wide array of variables, such as how much precipitation the area receives and how water runoff naturally flows. The general recommendation is ¼” drop per foot of length but this can vary. Generally, you want about a 2% fall away from the building for hardscape surfaces like pavers, concrete, wood, and the like that are within 10’ of a building. You want a 5% fall in the first 10 ft out from the building, which is 6” or more.
Generally, the surface should slope enough to drain water, but not so much that you can visibly see or feel the slope unless the intent is to make a ramp or the like, hence the 2% recommendation. Sidewalks should be 5% or less, otherwise, they are classified as a ramp. Disability associations identify an 8% slope for unassisted wheelchair movement.
The position of adjacent buildings and the direction of flow are important factors for proper drainage. Sloping keeps water away from buildings, retaining walls, foundations, and the like. It keeps the property safe from water damage. Surfaces stretching out from a building should move water away from it. Slope, materials, and setbacks may depend on local ordinances and codes.
Concrete leveling can lift up sunken, settled sections to restore drainage. Leveling also helps with sections of concrete sloped towards rather than away from the structure, when water is pooling rather than draining off.
The minimum per the IBC is stated as: “….The area of floor used for parking of automobiles or other vehicles shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of liquids to a drain or toward the main vehicle entry doorway….”
Sloping compounds can fill in low spots to achieve a positive slope. You may need to slope in more than one direction, too. While the ground will often naturally slope away from buildings, this is not always the case. You must account for proper drainage before pouring concrete.
Sloping compounds help you to create a positive slope where needed.
We here at Stone Edge Surfaces provide top-of-the-line sloping compounds. Pro Bond Ultra is an exceptional, multi-use product that can be used for sloping, resurfacing, and more. Pro Bond Ultra has been used on many projects to create a positive slope where there was not one before, including wheelchair ramps and parking decks.
This can be used on parking structures, decks, roofs, driveways, and other surfaces that would need to be sloped in order to create a positive slope. It can be troweled and applied thicker to create slopes up to 6”+ without added sand. It can also get down to ¼” or even feather thin in some applications.
It can be used as a base coat underlayment for sloping and rebuilding before applying overlays. It can fill spalled and damaged concrete as it resurfaces and doesn’t need a primer. It is pre-sanded to create slopes and crickets on roofs and rooftop decks, to help water flow off the roof.
Stone Edge Surfaces provides state-of-the-art products. We take pride in helping others improve their properties with our quality products and methods. To learn more about our sloping compounds, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.