Q&A for How to Use a Water Level

Yes. The water level gives you level from one location to another, so it does not matter if you are marking stumps, posts or grade elevations.

No. The top of the water gives the level, not some point on the tube.

A water level is actually pretty easy to make yourself. Take 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m) of tubing with a 5⁄16 in (0.79 cm) diameter and attach 1 end to the flat side of a stake. Put the stake in the ground, hold the other end of the tubing and fill it with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to make it easier to see. Take the water level to the items you want to measure and hold 1 end of the level against 1 of the posts. Place the other end against the other post. Raise and lower the free end of the tube up and down until the water levels on both ends match and mark the items at the level spot.

Water levels are a simple tool that have been used for a long, long time. Though their low-tech compared to fancy laser levels, they can actually be more accurate over long distances. They work because the water in the tubing will try to find an equilibrium, which you can use to find a level measurement. When the water in the tubing is balanced, then you've found your level.

The first modern mention of the water level is from Riccioli in the 17th century. However, the concept was described back in the 1st century by Hero of Alexandria. It's likely that the water level has been used for thousands of years by many cultures because of its simplicity and accuracy. In fact, even today, water levels can be more accurate than laser levels over long distances, and they work around corners and objects!

To level to ground level, or to level an area of ground, drive a stake in at the highest point (watch for services), and measure up from ground, say .200mm, and mark it on the stake. Find your opposing level using the instructions above. Once you are level with the mark on the stake, you can then measure down .200mm on the new mark - and there's the level!