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How to Establish a Level-Grade Line for Landscaping | This Old House



This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shares three methods for laying out perfectly level lines. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Shopping List for Establishing a Level Grade Line for Landscaping:
– red food dye [https://amzn.to/2JgO0H9]

Tools for Establishing a Level Grade Line for Landscaping:
– tape measure [https://amzn.to/2IVW694]
– ground flags [https://amzn.to/2XahaRU]
– wooden grade stakes [https://amzn.to/2RIvXNE] and nylon string [https://amzn.to/2XAXUwy]
– small sledgehammer [https://amzn.to/2RIwWgO]
– line level [https://amzn.to/2LpnNsx]
– clear plastic tubing
– self-leveling laser level [https://amzn.to/2XchrDS], transit rod [https://amzn.to/2ZYVHbQ] and receiver [https://amzn.to/2XfsUTo]

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How to Establish a Level-Grade Line for Landscaping | This Old House
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43 Comments

  2. fourforty RoadRunner

    Something you left out is a transit. Around here you can buy used basic transits for anywhere from 80 bucks up. Easy to use and easy to check for accuracy. You don't even need two guys if you have a good long rule. Stand the rule up against the stake, read the dimension through the transit at the crosshairs, then mark the stake at that dimension Set the transit up in one spot that sweeps all your stakes and away you go. Works like your laser without the batteries

  3. FredFons1

    Water levels work great even better if Kevin didn't have his thumb over his end of the tube

  6. Mark C

    I think this guy was the inspiration for the big bang theory character "Barry"

  12. alex

    This is great info but he needs to watch the Essential Craftsman's video on String Like A Pro. That was amazing.

  17. ZAK MAN

    I have and use all 3 . There are advantages to the oldest of the 3 different levels . The water level can be use around obstacles that a string line and laser level can not do !! A water level is fantastic for leveling a house on pier & beam or any structure on piers to set your beams nice and level . I use a reddish orange RV antifreeze in my water level , thus it will never freeze as it sits over the winter .

  22. Kevin

    Did anyone else notice poor Kevin holding his thumb over the water line tube when the measurements were taken? He was told to hold his thumb over the end of the tube when MOVING the tube from post to post, obviously to avoid the water spilling out of the end of the tube. Problem is he didn't remove his thumb from the end of the tube when the measurements were taken. The trapped air had nowhere to go, causing pressure to build up inside the tube, and forcing the water level mark to be BELOW what an unrestricted tube would have shown. Water levels work great if you know how to use them properly. Leave the tube ends OPEN when taking your measurements for accurate results.

  25. Mike Waller

    I’ve been in the landscape industry for 50 years as a contractor and architect. One of the best tools I ever came across was the water level. An aqua level can set grades around corners as well as at specific points. Easy to use and available on line

  26. Awper Online

    Did the patio have to be a certain height to prevent rushing water from the top of the hill from flooding it in a big rainstorm or was that not calculated?

  29. devil within 😈

    How do you use a water level without a stringline? Wasnt the water level meant to be an independent way of leveling out?

  36. NUFF SAID

    Wondering what part of Texas you're from………..diggin' that accent. Very instructive video.

  37. Jl Bush

    For those who don't know, that's not how you establish grade with the laser level. No string line is needed.

  38. Franklin Arguedas

    Amigo, do you know of any transparent house that can withstand UV Light?

    The problem with water lavels is that the house go opaque very quickly, if you use it continuously exposed to UV Lightñ any ideas, please Señor!

  40. G R

    Have to pay to regrade the landscape on one side of the home ( new construction). Builder did not grade this area right and water is pooling eventually getting inside the garage. The builder was made aware, solution was to hire questionable contractors to install a drain. Very crappy job and more problems. I don't want this people touch my home as they keep making more problems. Should I hire an engineer to get the grading right? Or a professional grader? I want this to be done correctly. I want the problem resolve once and for all.

  43. Milan Rawat

    Great and simple video. I have 2 questions. I am going to grade my 60 feet by 30 feet backyard. If I grade the yard from the back of my house wall till the end of the backyard wall, will the foundation of my backyard wall not become weak?
    My second question is.. doesn't grading make you feel as if you are going to tumble?

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