Level Anything... With Water!

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A video on using water to establish a level, whether it be for pouring concrete footings, foundations or cutting the tops of poles for a pole barn. I used Mayes water level tubes....
To purchase Mayes Water Level Tubes, visit our website and click the Amazon Store banner on the right, and go to the Water category- www.practicalpreppers.com/

[@hxFubar]

To make your leveling easier and not requiring an assistant or when you don’t have one, determine level and then mark level with tape or a marker on both of your Mayes tubes then tie/secure the one end of your hose to your calibration mark so the mark on the tube is even with the mark on your calibration stake. Then as you move around to your other stakes you just have to look at and level the end in your hand and then mark your stake. No need for anyone to confirm the other end is level because you secured it to your mark. Cuts down on the just a hair higher, no lower, no higher between you and an assistant. When done remove the tape or mark from your tubing and put away.

[@jayherde0]

Thank you for posting this reply so I didn't have to. ;-)

[@thierrymeier5853]

Thanks for this tip! I was breaking my head over figuring out how to use it by myself hahah! This comment is six year old. That's crazy.

[@paulmccrory8008]

Great video, my dad and I used a water level to build a barn when I was younger, we just purchased some clear tubing from the local hardware store and added water, allowed to make sure things were level over large distances without the expense of lasers, etc. Hint is to add food coloring such as red color to the water to make it easier to see.

[@10yearvet]

Yes sir! Can't beat water for perfection or nearly so. I've been using variations of water levels for as long as I can remember. My favorite variation is a tube fastened in the top of a gallon size (minimum) jug. Set it up to get the benchmark and only one person is required to use it. In leveling for some raise beds on sloping ground (badly sloping) I started with the high point, though, because that was the point to which I needed to raise everything else.

[@bruisterlenoir6474]

My grandfather used water levels extensively and I often heard my Dad talk about using them for barns, houses, corn cribs, terraces, fences, just about everything. This was in the early 1900's and they had no transit to work with. I own a gym and we are getting ready to build an obstacle course out back and I am going to order these "witnesses" to help me level everything up the way they should be. Great idea, thank you.

[@rchopp]

Great info, water levels are good for so many things even ceiling tiles, I have a unit with an electronic sensor on one end which is place on your master line and you can walk around with the other end and it beep when your other end hits level just a good thing when your by yourself or can't see the other end. Also a couple of drops of food coloring will make it stand out in clear hose..

[@tedscott]

Used this method for setting the final heights of the posts of my Pole Barn. Built on a slight hill, and holes varied a few inches. My ridge posts were 28' long, and 40' apart, cut them, later put up a 40' LVL for a ridge. Placed a 6' level on after placing the LVL, level, very pleased. This was before home laser levels were available.

[@Crazy1991Rocker]

I used this method. Where I live in Europe is called "Level Hose"...jus a hose with water in it.And it's very acurate :)

[@co1973]

I've used water levels many times, and they can be great for siding, block work, you name it. If you're working alone, you can zip tie one end to a hand tamper, or any tool that will stand up plumb on its own. Then add a half a bottle of food coloring to the water (how much depends on the length of the hose/volume of water) and you can read it from farther away.

[@engineer775]

A video on using water to establish a level, whether it be for pouring concrete footings, foundations or cutting the tops of poles for a pole barn. I used Mayes water level tubes.... astore.amazon.com/practipreppe-20/detail/B00004YZP8 www.practicalpreppers.com #practprep

[@dslag7812]

Thanks for the informative video. We tend to forget the simplistic ways to get things done.

[@oldpukindog]

Thanks I have know about water levels for long time . Just did not know the mechanics behind it. Thanx to you now I do....

[@dukeman7595]

This is the oldest form of leveling known to man, and is very accurate as you have showed us, very nice video and informative. P.S. The fence posts looked better before you cut them, as you know fencing follows the the terrain and trying to level a fence just don't work.

[@ammartamimi9864]

Thank you for this, a $35 garden hose do the same job $1000 Hi-Tech leveling system.

[@TheHillsandTheRivers]

Great for leveling swales or garden paths!

[@zamoaleks]

I used this to build my roof on my deck. Works really great

[@ppger44]

I'm going to try that. That is awesome cheap and valuable physics info!!!

[@354133]

Yes, this is a great way to level. It is done in the Philippines everyday when building a project.

[@keyplayr61greenhousehydrop14]

Great info, as usual, Scott!

[@dariogonzalez6249]

💯 % on the money, shout out from Texas!!!

[@mtngoat58]

love this idea ---I seen it done before a real old guy that moved mobile homes used this method to level them and block them up --peace

[@rickbarrett8247]

Also if doing this alone I usually tape the level on the primary post while I do the remaining locations.

[@RayFunRelax]

Good for long rain gutter installation too.

[@waltlars3687]

Useful for setting pitch for drains or rain gutters or sewer pipe

[@TURBOLANDRAIDER]

To make it easier to see, use food coloring, coffee, cool aide, or whatever to tint the water. Good video E775!

[@jcsspb]

Planning to use a water level to bury a 4” pvc line on a slight slope to drain a low spot in the back yard to the front yard. Will put stakes every 10’ or so and set 1/2” per 10’ for gravity drain.

[@spike5022]

I've used a similar method for many years. I have one end of the hose open and tied at my chosen level, the other end has a clear pipe attached, as you have; I then move this clear end around with me, topping up with a jug of water. Excess water runs out of the open end, so my level remains correct. This is just me, as I always work alone and can't be bothered running from one end to the other to open air seals.

[@wyattoneable]

This works great for smaller areas. I'm building a 30x60 shop and my hose was too short! I hate it when that happens. :)

[@bwillan]

String levels work wonders too.

[@TysonCapel23]

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@rgunzy1234]

Great tips. Safety Glasses when running the chain saw, Please!

[@05generic]

Thanks Scott.

[@firstgoinpostal]

If you put a half a teaspoon of ATF/Dextron in each end of the hose it will give an easy to see red line to use. Matt

[@COMB0RICO]

Thanks from Texas!

[@DB-cx6cb]

As a young Homebuilder I hired a block mason who failed to adjust the 12 inch block’s according to the slope of the lot for ledger for the brick to lay on. He argued that I could bring in fill dirt to compensate his mistake. And the man who had cleared the lot and had pored the footing’s and poured the slab was hearing our conversation that wasn’t going very well. The block mason was getting irate since the ledger blocks were about four foot too high. So the Excavator man who had poured the slab heard him insinuate the slab was not level, which had nothing to do with his mistake. He had come to collect his money for his finished work. Earlier that day the Carpenter had The lumber package delivered, but his framing crew refused to start because they used a water level and said the foundation walls were too far out of elevation. Well Mr. Excavator man being a large man came over and ask The Block mason how did he determine the slab was the problem? Well Mr Block mason said I shot grades! Now this is where it went South! Mr Excavator man said let’s see you shoot each corner. He pulled out of the back of his truck an old tripod and a Craftsman bubble transit that looked like something from the 1800’s, he tried for fifteen minutes attempting to get the bubble level, finally Mr Excavator set his Lazer up in about five minutes and shot each corner top of the foundation elevation on the back right wall was off by six inches. He said you need to throw that transit in the garbage. It’s been year’s since that day and I will go to my grave remembering how that block mason had to remove most of his work to correct a costly mistake using a damaged Craftsman transit all at his expense.

[@Kimck098]

Don't know if your familiar with the terminology, but this works on the manometer principle. Was originally used in industry for pressure measurement. Basically the head of pressure is equal on both sides, so if you cap one end, the pressure on one side will be different on the other and put the level out. In theory, it should matter if you lose water, just refill the pipe and line the meniscus up again with your datum. ;)

[@Dan-oz4qb]

Also have to make sure your hose is long enough that it rests low at all times, preferably on the ground. If you lift it you're reference point will be compromised.

[@GrandpaD78]

Hey Scott! Thanks for this video... I have the Mayes water levels and need to check level from a rain barrel outlet (gravity fed) to the end of a 110' run for drainage from the barrel, via PVC pipe. My barrel outlet is 15" above ground level in the backyard. My end point will be AT ground level in the front yard. So... should I check level at the same 15" above ground at the other end? I'm just hoping the end point is lower than the starting point. (It would be difficult to hold this at ground level at the end point, due to already poured concrete)

[@mythoughts1................1]

amazing video!!!!!! thank you

[@JeanJaquesMath]

Excellent video.

[@PopsShack]

My brother uses a 10 litre container with coloured water in it, then he has a hose running from that to a measuring staff. The last part of the hose is clear plastic. By standing the staff next to the container of water, he can check the level (and mark the staff accordingly), then move the staff to where he wants to check the level.

[@engineer775]

Very nice. I will have to try that one.

[@oldtimeengineer26]

cool I will try this the next time

[@nathanyamaha465]

Hey, I was going to say the same thing, this is how the Pyramids were built!!

[@DevonWayne]

Colored* You could also put colored water that contrasts with your environment (like red water if you're around grass.) Or neon/phospher/glowing water at night time (glow sticks contain that kind of water. It could be made organically though as well.)

[@ganni025]

Can you please tell me from experience the best way to remove air bubbles from a clear 10m hose please

[@RedEyedJack]

I install garage doors for a living. When I install a commercial roll up door I always use a water level. Mine is just 25 ft of 1/2" clear tubing with male pvc inserts and screw on caps.

[@engineer775]

Nice application!

[@JoelLagunaYomama]

Awesome idea

[@gmwwc]

Water is nature's perfect level. While this is useful I find that a length of plain clear tubing is better. A stopper in the ends is handy but not necessary and a drop or two of red food color is a useful visual aid. A drop or two of dish detergent makes it flow nicely. My electrician husband and I used a 50' tube to level our 72' horse barn and it was dead on. We just level marked one spot on each vertical post, starting at a middle post, about half way up. We then marked a corresponding spot on each vertical post using the tube. Then I put the tube away and we just used a tape measure for the rest of the construction to measure offset to the marked line. Losing water was not an issue because it still indicates, it's just a slightly shorter run of tube. Keeping the bubbles out was a problem till I learned how to fill the tube by raising and lowering the other end. The clear tube revealed the bubbles at once, whereas they can hide in a hose. I did learn to rinse the tube and plug the ends and store it indoors. The clear tube will cloud and discolor if improperly stored. Muddaubers will wreck your tube if you don't stop the ends well. I did see one of these hose end gadgets years ago with a scale on the clear tube. I thought that was an interesting feature. And a LONG time back someone made one with a battery powered buzzer that would sound when the water hit the contacts in one end, presumably the end set up with the contacts at your desired elevation. One man working the other end could then just raise the tube till the buzzer went off. A roll of clear tubing can be a little expensive I just saw a 100' roll of 3/8" vinyl tubing on Amazon for $30.

[@thefireman2854]

gmwwc I agree completely. I am using the same type of setup but I only needed a 10 ft. hose. Other than draining and covering the ends, is there something else I should do for storage? Thank you.

[@nicholasdugdale]

Made possible by gravity exerting its force down upon water upon every square surface. Another way of saying path of least resistance since there would technically be 0.0000000 measured units of resistance between both sides when equal. Almost makes you think about how easy it could be for humans to find our total balance in life. Hmm

[@GrassDaddy]

My dad was helping me build an office in the basement. When it was time for the drop ceiling he pulled out a long clear tube and said we just have to fill it with water to make it level! I pulled out my laser level lol That being said its a great idea. if those end tubes had a spot for a nail you could tap a nail into the post to hold it and do it one person. or use a clamp!

[@engineer775]

thanks for the feedback. Yes a nail or screw hole would be nice!

[@BCElginTex]

I just bought a set using your link. Thanks.

[@IdahoEagle77]

Great video, but some of the oldest standing log homes and structures in other countries, all have wooden posts for the foundation. Many of them still standing hundreds of years later on the original foundation. Japan has many structures like this as well. Concrete is nice, but you do not need it.

[@kainejoyes2981]

add some food colouring to water to make it easier to see

[@longneck43]

easier to see for old eyes if you put food coloring in the water

[@pablocentavo3649]

"Blue Marble Ball" rewrite of "Red Rubber Ball" by Cyrkle I should have known they had us in a spell There's a lesson to be learned from this and I learned it very well Now, I know you're not the only globe fish in the sea If I never hear it's plane again, it's all the same to me And I think it's gonna be alright Yeah, the curse is over now Good mornin' it ain't spinning like a Blue Marble Ball You never care for reason of the demise For you, I'm just an ornament, a thing to employ chide Always runnin', never carin', that's the life you live Stolen minutes of your time were all you had to give And I think it's gonna be alright Yeah, the curse is over now Good mornin' it ain't spinning like a Blue Marble Ball The story's in the past with nothin' of a ball I've got my life to live and I don't need it blue at all The roller-coaster ride we took is nearly at an end I fought this wicked with my tears, this ball has to end And I think it's gonna be alright Yeah, the curse is over now Good mornin' it ain't spinning like a Blue Marble Ball And I think it's gonna be alright Yeah, the curse is over now Good mornin' it ain't spinning like a Blue Marble Ball Paul Cary 2/7/16

[@reformationinc.3376]

Somebody had to say it

[@thehazelnutspread]

how do you know if you've got an air bubble if the tube is not clear?

[@donuszko1]

great video brotha!

[@johnhenry7083]

You could put small colored floating dowels in the end to make it easier to see.

[@engineer775]

How bout some glasses or maybe an Eotech. :)

[@Max_Marz]

Also, if you lose water from your hose that just means that BOTH readings are going to be slightly lower, which means you just move the other end back up to match your original mark and continue as normal.

[@Max_Marz]

Losing water does not mean start over.

[@engineer775]

***** You are correct!

[@brycering5989]

2:04 I am skeptical about that information. can you test it? and get back on that.

[@JustinMikola]

Great tip!

[@realworldprepper]

Okay. I'll buy into the Egyptians using a water level to prep the sites of the pyramids, if you can tell me where they got their hose.

[@thehazelnutspread]

I'd be interested in the 'tubing' that those Egyptians used.

[@Patriot36]

Really interesting method and thanks for sharing! Out of curiosity, can thermal expansion of the water in the line be a factor between measurements? I ask because I live in AZ and the water that sits in a hose can get hot enough to steam in the summer time.

[@engineer775]

If you took measurements at a large Delta T. The effects of thermal expansion will be negligible if you do your leveling within a short period of time.

[@Patriot36]

engineer775 Practical Preppers That makes sense. Thanks for covering this, brother!

[@MrCanofpeas]

Patriot36 Just pick up the tube above the level of the main container and return the water to the main container, then let the water return though the tube (no bubbles Yall) and the temp is equalized.

[@kirkolsen1962]

would love to see you level the ground.

[@mayurramani4675]

Hello sir How to measure the height of the soil up to the river level?

[@mike97525]

thanks

[@shespelt]

I used this technique back in '95 when putting up wallpaper border/accents (wrong term?) - you know, those 8-12" wide pieces your wife wants perfectly level 54" off the floor. Pick a spot as your reference edge of the sheet, have your 'assistant' hold at that point & just walk around the perimeter of the room, marking where the wallpaper edge should go. Probably one of the easiest DIY projects ever due to using a water level.

[@canusakommando9692]

My Grandfather showed me how to use a clear hose to level a concrete foundation 30 years ago. He learned this type of levelling before the war. An old carpenter taught him but charged him $25.00 which was a months wages. If it's done properly its can be as near as a laser. The old ways are still the best. A very good video. Thank you.

[@jaswas77]

With regards to Egyptians levelling the land for the pyramids I read a theory somewhere once that they may have trenched a grid pattern and levelled the dirt to the surface of the water. I dunno maybe Engineer001 helped them. Great videos.

[@nicholasdugdale]

This makes sense. I know the great pyramid is built upon an elevated surface or lightly graded hill posing even more challenges for the Egyptians. However I could see a triangular or square grid of connected channels of water separated by the ground being ideal for laying a level foundation for the pyramids. This would make leveling the ground an easy task as the protruding cubes of ground / dirt would be delighted to a single person and established as level with the top surface of the water. Almost like if you saw squares of ground / dirt sitting flush on a flat lake in the morning. Might make a cool photoshop project.

[@joeblow6199]

This guy is great

[@thomasgronek6469]

Hahaahahaha, GREAT VIDEO, THANK YOU, Did the Egyptians get their tubing from the local 'Pyramid Depot' ? Or was it 'Stone Depot' back then ? Nice, Thank you for great info !

[@imagesfromLA]

They had their tubing shipped over from China.

[@ReviewMyVideos]

I love your videos bud, but this needs more explaination and closeups of the water levels. Are the tubes marked? Witness, what witness? I'm really intreged cause I could use this in may places on my land. Just need more closeups of what you are talking about. Thanks again for your vids.

[@engineer775]

tubes are not marked. you just go by the top of the water in the tube. What I meant by witness was the original reference mark on a board, stake or post to establish the level point. Then you can one of the hose to the next spot to be leveled to the same height as the original reference mark. Hope that helps.

[@jonathanbaldwin6009]

I may have missed it but when you are determining your level does one end of the hose has to be close and the other open?

[@paullogieri248]

+Jonathan Baldwin I've used water levels for years - always with both ends open.

[@brucewayne-cave]

Thank you for the great demonstration. Could one use such a device to estimate the amount of head needed to get from a pond, up to a pump?

[@engineer775]

I would use a site surface level for that... astore.amazon.com/practipreppe-20/detail/B002ISC2V2 Prepper Tip - measuring elevations

[@brucewayne-cave]

engineer775 Practical Preppers Perfect !

[@Zerkbern]

On the pad, how do you transfer your measurements to the frame for the pad?

[@engineer775]

When you say frame I am assuming you mean the forms for either the footings or the slab. The strings are set at the outer dimensions and then I measure down from the string to the form itself.

[@raqialife9286]

At what distance would the water level not work

[@brianhudson9302]

we used to add food coloring to make it easy to see the water.

[@jvh1756]

If you are working by yourself you need really long arms. ;) You could alway use a 3 megawatt laser level to level those fence posts with the added benefit of cutting them at the same time. More Power!!! ;)

[@paullogieri248]

+Jim H If you're working alone, simply fasten the tube at both ends of your level with whatever will work (I usually use duct tape) leaving enough vertical space at each end of the hose to allow for adjustment. Then adjust the hose at the reference mark end until the column of water is at the same height as the mark. Secure the hose at that height again and double check the column to be sure water and reference mark match. The target end will be good.

[@jvh1756]

No sense of humor?

[@paullogieri248]

I guess not. For every guy trying to be funny (dat be you), there are four who are taking you seriously. One of those guys is me - and I actually know how to use a water level by myself. The other three guys would have been thwarted from the get-go. So I earned my merit badge for the day by stepping in with an answer. Sorry if it spoiled the joke.

[@jvh1756]

30000 comedians are out of work and I want to be funny.

[@paullogieri248]

Any way to make a buck with more of O Zero's "Hope and Change"

[@atharv11]

This requires 2 person...My question is how to do with one person? Any other technique?

[@cesarsanchezsanchez3832]

Can i level a mobile home with this water level

[@MrLoudog7]

Get some quick grips and add food coloring to water or use colored coolant for higher visibility of liquid level. No helper needed.

[@rickbarrett8247]

I like to add food coloring to make it easier for me to see the level at distance.

[@spadelugs]

No need for food color .. Just a couple gallons of windshield washer fluid... Color plus it won't freeze...

[@mayurramani4675]

Hello sir where are you from?

[@das250250]

You just need to secure the end to one post with a fixed hook and walk around

[@downtourth]

I like using dye in the water

[@engineer775]

I will try that next time.

[@DerekHundik]

engineer775 Practical Preppers i think you are right person to ask. Is earth is flat or spherical ?

[@flatearthmemefarm9018]

Does this mean that large lakes and oceans are generally flat?

[@tigertruckerman]

David Ray I dug a big hole for a garden pond thinking it would be naturally level when filled with rainwater wrong

[@1NRG24Seven]

You could use it to determine the amount of drop in a stream for hydro...opps...another video needs to be done.

[@buckeye5704]

Just checked your Amazon page. Just so my feeble, addled brain is right here. That's one PAIR of tubes on a card for the $13.64? Def need to get this for my building project this summer.

[@engineer775]

That is correct.

[@holy_warc.s.t.369]

Is it okay to drink the water when your done?

[@siriosstar4789]

Using redheads to counter up loads is not code in many states. using a water hose does not allow for visual inspection of bubbles that may be present in the tube. ALL bubbles must be removed prior to making your marks.

[@siriosstar4789]

I was referring to water hoses that are NOT transparent which is usually the case. All commercial water levels use transparent small diameter pipe for the reason that i stated. I have bought , made and used these type of levels for forty years and can tell you from experience that you must remove all air bubbles to achieve an accurate reading.

[@siriosstar4789]

No problem ! 😎

[@nicholasdugdale]

At 7:00 I say; "I bet money this is how the pyramids were built so perfectly." Then 9:20 comes along and I get up and walk into my pantry and closed the door.

[@MrMunchiemo]

Good looking cows

[@raylight8687]

Before you marked your second water mark you turned off the water tap on first so you didn't spill any . You forgot to turn back on so your water level was wrong

[@Max_Marz]

I wanna see the generator shed!! More personal projects! You don't have to focus on subjects that you can make an educational video out of, get back to the personal blog type stuff!

[@engineer775]

I am not done with the generator shed yet but when I am the video is going up. Thanks for your feedback.

[@borispopovich]

Why would you have to start over if you spill some water from the hose? Just add more. Water levels no matter what. Any two points, any amount of water...

[@Maxim.Teleguz]

Level water, level earth

[@Jesustheonlymediator]

I think it's safe to say you believe the earth is flat if you know water seeks it's level!?

[@CapnHolic]

That's a neat way to do it, but a 2 dollar bubble level and a string would be less unwieldy and easier to read. I suppose this is a way to level things when all you have is tubing, and no access to a hardware store.

[@BCElginTex]

Strings sag. The more distance between your two ends, the more it sags in the middle. If you are going long distances (say in a field) weeds and stuff get all tangled in a string. String will only work if you have no obstructions (clear line of sight) between the two ends. Since I am usually building by myself, I use the string method, but some applications just won't work with string; then I have to go get help.

[@PopsShack]

Some of the greatest engineering feats in the world have been achieved with the use of water levels and not with $2 bubble levels.

[@bigb0r3]

BC ElginTex Decent string pulled taut won't sag over distances of a couple hundred feet

[@MrCanofpeas]

Nunya Biznes couple hundred feet? what? Anyway a water level is much more accurate than that.

[@PopsShack]

Nunya Biznes Hang a level on that 200' length of string and try to keep the sag out of it.

[@terencehood]

I was just thinking a few drops of food coloring in the water would make life easier.

[@PopsShack]

Not just a few, add enough to really colour the water.

[@stevesaylor8448]

Water always seeks level, or flat. One of the proofs that the Earth is flat.

[@BinglybertSlaptyback]

Gravity holds the Earth’s water to the Earth’s (roughly) spherical shape.