Patios: to slope or not to slope

Sloper

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask a quick question about patios and whether to slope them or not. I understand that a patio up against a property needs at least a 1 in 60 slope (1cm fall for every 60cms) to allow for rain water to run away from the property but what about those in lawns?

I am looking to build a 2m x 2m patio in my lawn which has grass on three of it's sides and about 15 - 20cms of soil at the back of it by a neighbour's fence and shed.

I was thinking about having a 1 in 60 slope running from the fence to the grass but it works out to just over 3cms (one whole paving slab) and I feel it would be quite severe and odd looking not to mention a whole lot more hassle!

I've asked a number of people and had answers ranging from a slope isn't necessary for my patio to maybe just having a small one of 1cm or so.

What do you guys think? Attached is a photo to give you an idea of the position.

Thank you in advance.

Pete.8

Any degree of slope will cause water to run down it - water won't run up a slope of any inclination..
I doubt a slope is really necessary for such a small area, but if it's somewhere you may want to sit after rain, a slight slope will stop puddling.
I had quite a big area paved when I had my greenhouse put up - approx 30ft wide and about 20ft deep (that's not the size of the greenhouse btw ). The landscapers sloped the whole area by 4°. No rain problems and no puddles anywhere.

KT53

For an area that small I wouldn't worry about including a slope.  Even if it does cause a bit of puddling after rain, it would literally take a minute to sweep it clean.

MikeOxgreen

It depends on what you're laying. If it's well riven then more slope is needed than if they are perfectly flat.
I'd slope it, standing water will only cause issues.
You won't notice it once it's done.

Joyce Goldenlily

I would slope it very slightly towards the fence because that will be a very dry area and the small area you have will not produce much runoff. 

Sloper

Thank you for your help everyone. A lot of food for thought here. As they are Riven paving slabs I think I'm going to put a 2 - 3cm slope in to avoid rain water pooling.

Thanks again all.

Loxley

Joyce makes a really good point I wouldn't have thought of! Sloping towards the fence will help any planting you have there. (Just a little but still worth it). And it's nice not to have puddles.