Water levels are surprisingly handy tools when you need to find a perfectly level spot on things like posts or stakes—basically, whenever you want your project to come out straight and true. Their appeal really comes down to how simple they are to put together and how quick they are to set up, which is probably why so many people keep one in their toolkit for all sorts of jobs.
If you’ve got some basic items lying around—think a length of clear tubing and some water—you’re pretty much set to make your own water level. Once you’ve made it, using the tool is straightforward, and it’s hard to beat for helping you make sure whatever you’re working on ends up level and just the way you want it.
What is Water Level?
A water level is a device that uses the surface of liquid water to create a local horizontal reference plane. This tool helps determine whether a surface or object is level, and it’s especially useful for matching the elevations of points that are too far apart for a traditional spirit level to reach.
In technical terms, the water level sometimes called gauge height or stage—refers to the elevation of the water’s surface in a body such as a sea, stream, lake, or reservoir, measured relative to a specific vertical reference point.
The most basic version of a water level consists of a length of clear tubing, partially filled with water. This design is not only easy to set up, but also makes use of water’s accessibility and the fact that it can be discarded with little effort when no longer needed. To use the tool, one simply holds both ends of the tube vertically, allowing the rest to lie flat on the ground or floor.
Regardless of whether the tube’s ends are close together or separated by a significant distance, the water at each end will settle at the same elevation. This principle has made water levels a practical choice for many years.
Compared to more modern tools like the laser level, the water level may seem low-tech, but it can actually deliver greater accuracy over long spans. One key advantage is that it does not require a direct line of sight between two points, making it suitable for leveling around corners or obstacles.
For the most accurate results, it is important that the water throughout the tube remains at a uniform temperature. Other factors, such as the meniscus the curve at the water’s surface—can also affect the precision of readings.
If the water level is used frequently, adding dye to the water can make it easier to see. In outdoor or winter conditions, antifreeze can be mixed in to prevent freezing. Automotive window washer fluid works well for this purpose, since it not only prevents freezing but also makes the water more visible.
To further improve performance, a small amount of surfactant, like dishwashing liquid, can be added. This reduces the water’s surface tension, helping the liquid move more quickly and smoothly through the tube.
As a result, the device responds more accurately and consistently, especially when using tubing with a small diameter. Additionally, this treated solution is easier to drain from narrow tubes than plain water.
How To Make a Homemade Water Level?
A water level is one of those handy tools you can put together yourself without spending much, which makes it ideal for jobs like leveling the base of a deck or shed. In fact, when you’re working across longer distances, a water level can actually be more precise than a typical carpenter’s level.
What really sets the water level apart is its versatility you can use it even when you need to measure around corners or in areas where you don’t have a clear line of sight. That’s not something you can pull off with a laser or builder’s level.
The way a water level works is rooted in simple physics: water always finds its own level, no matter the size of the container.
Whether you’re looking at a bathtub or an entire lake, the surface of the water will settle at the same height at every point, as long as nothing is disturbing it (like wind or waves). In a homemade water level, you’re just swapping out the open body of water for a length of clear plastic tubing.
To make your own, all you need is some flexible plastic tubing pick it up by the foot from the plumbing aisle at any home center and a couple of stakes or wooden dowels. For example, 3/8-inch inner diameter tubing works well, but you’ll be fine with 1/4-inch or larger if that’s what you have on hand.
To make a water level:
Begin by driving a stake or dowel firmly into the ground, placing it close to the center of your foundation area.
- Take a length of flexible tubing and secure one end to the stake. Make sure this attached end sits slightly higher than where you want the top of your foundation blocks to be.
- Next, mix a few drops of red food coloring into some tap water this little trick just makes it a lot easier to spot the water level later on.
- Now, hold the free end of the tube at roughly the same height as the end that’s tied to the stake. Fill the tube with the colored water until it’s about two inches below each end. As you’re filling, check that there are no air bubbles trapped inside; those can throw off your readings.
- Once your tube is filled and air-free, press your thumb tightly over the open end. You’re ready to walk over to your first foundation block.
- Stand a new stake or dowel upright right on top of that block. Bring your tube up alongside it so that both ends are held more or less level with each other.
- Carefully lift your thumb from the end of the tube. Keep an eye out so water doesn’t leak out. Adjust the tube’s height so there’s about the same length of tubing sticking out above the water at both ends.
- Where the water settles inside the tube, make a mark on the stake or dowel. That’s your reference point.
- With your thumb back over the tube’s end, move on to the next foundation block and repeat the process. If everything is level, the water in the tube will line up perfectly with the mark you made on the previous stake.
- If you notice the mark is above the water level, that block needs to be lowered until they match up. If the mark falls below the water, raise the block by just enough to bring it level with the water in the tube.
- And if you spill any water from the tube at any stage, it’s best to refill the tube and redo your measurements from scratch just to be sure you’ve got everything accurate.
How to Use a Water Level?
Step 1: Positioning the Water Level for Measurement
Begin by adjusting the water level so that it aligns with the items you plan to measure. Typically, a water level is used to identify an even point between two objects spaced apart think of posts or stakes set into the ground.
Before you start measuring, double-check that both objects are securely placed. If you’re working with posts outdoors, ensure they’re firmly planted in the soil. For smaller pieces on a workbench, it’s best to fix them with a clamp to prevent any wobbling or movement.
A water level isn’t limited to outdoor tasks. It also comes in handy for various construction projects, especially when you need to compare the height of two separate items even if they’re positioned right next to each other. The main goal here is to make sure both surfaces or points are perfectly level with one another, no matter how far apart they might be.
Step 2: Hold 1 end of the level against 1 of the posts.
Take one end of the level and hold it up against one of the posts, making sure the open side is facing up. To keep the tube steady, gently tap in two nails one on each side of the tube’s end. The nails should be close enough to hold the tube securely, but not so tight that they squeeze it.
If you’d rather not make holes in your post (or if it isn’t wooden and can’t be nailed), a clamp works nicely too. Just attach the clamp to the top of the tube’s end, and you’re good to go.
Step 3: Position the opposite end of the level against the second post.
It’s a good idea to keep your thumb over the open end of the tube to prevent any water from spilling out. Now, step back for a moment and observe where the water line settles at both ends of the tube.
Pay close attention if you notice the water level is higher at one end compared to the other, it’s a clear sign that the two points aren’t actually level yet.
In that case, you’ll need to adjust how the level is sitting on the posts. Keep tweaking it until you see the water line matching up at both ends.
Step 4: Adjust the free end of the tube by moving it up or down until the water levels on both sides align.
As you do this, keep checking the levels; you want to make sure the water finds its balance and matches up at both ends of the tube. This step is important for accuracy, so don’t rush it let the water settle fully before deciding you’re done.
If the objects you’re leveling are farther apart than you can comfortably reach, it’s helpful to have another person on hand. One person can manage one end of the tube while the other adjusts the opposite end, making it much easier to get the water levels to line up perfectly.
Step 5: Marking the Reference Points.
After ensuring that the meniscus the curved surface of the water aligns evenly at both ends of the tube, go ahead and mark those exact spots on each post or item you’re working with. Chalk or a pencil works well for this purpose.
Once you’ve made your marks, feel free to detach the tube from where it was fixed. You can now move on and use your water level at another location. Just set it up again using nails or a clamp, and you’ll be ready to repeat the process.
How to Maintain the Water Level?
Check for kinks and knots in the tubing before each use:
Any twists or bends in the tube can distort the water level, which means you won’t get an accurate reading. It’s a good habit to run your hand along the whole length of the tube, just to make sure it’s completely smooth.
If you’re working with tubing that’s a bit old or showing signs of wear, be extra careful; these tend to develop kinks or knots more easily. Over time, it’s often best to replace worn tubing to avoid these issues altogether.
Always empty the water level after use to avoid air bubbles:
If water sits in the tube for too long, air bubbles can form inside and that’s a quick way to throw your levels off next time you use it.
For the most accurate results, get in the habit of draining the tube once you’re done, and give it a quick refill before each use. This way, you’re less likely to run into hidden bubbles that could mess up your measurements.
Store the water level in a cool, shaded place to prevent expansion:
Leaving the tube in direct sunlight or somewhere hot isn’t just bad for the tubing it also affects the liquid inside. Heat causes the water to expand, which can result in false readings.
To avoid this, simply keep the tube stored indoors, in a cool spot like a garage or a shaded part of your home, where it won’t be exposed to temperature swings.
FAQs
How to properly use a water level?
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.
What are water level principles?
The level of the liquid rises to the same level in all four tubes, regardless of their shape. This is a consequence of Pascal’s principle, whereby pressure is uniformly transmitted thoughout a liquid. In more familiar terms, “water seeks its own level”.
What is the simplest method of measuring water level?
Glass Level Gauge
Available in a variety of designs, both armored and unprotected, glass gauges have been used for over 200 years as a simple method to measure liquid level. The benefit of this design is the ability to the see the true level through the clear glass.
How to read a water level gauge?
Between the tenths are 4 hash lines used for measuring hundredths of a foot. The top of the hash is one hundredth and the bottom of the hash is another. The pointed hash represents 5 hundredths (0.05). To read the gage, you note the foot and tenth labels above the water line, and then count hashes down for hundredths.
What precautions should be taken when using a water level indicator?
Do not use or store in places subject to oil, chemicals, dust, corrosive, flammable or explosive liquids, or where corrosive, flammable or explosive gas is generated. Also, do not use or store the product in a place where sudden temperature changes occur, in direct sunlight, or in a place subject to vibration or shock.
How do you explain water level indicator?
Water level indicator definition: A water level indicator is a system that relays information back to a control panel to indicate whether a body of water has a high or low water level. Some water level indicators use a combination of probe sensors or float switches to sense water levels.