How do I transfer a degree gradient from one side of a patio foundation to the opposite side of the patio?
Question:I am leveling a part of my yard using retaining wall pavers and I am using my current concrete landing outside my back door as a guide for the gradient away from the house. On the side of the landing I used a string on stakes to guide my gradient, but how do I do this on the opposite side of the patio site?
Answers:
The best way to do this is with a liquid level.Go to your local hardware store and buy 3/8" id. clear vinyl tubing long enough to go from the patio to the farthest point away and enough for about 2'-3' extra at each end.Fill this with water to about 12"-18"down from the two cut ends when they are held together,make sure there are no bubbles in the hose.Now drive a stake in the ground next to the landing and while holding the two cut end close to each other attach one end of the hose to the stake so the water level is at an easy measurement from the landing 6" or 12".Now take the lose end of the hose anywhere you want to transfer the height and measure down from the water the6"or 12" you set the first end at and you will have the same height as the landing.Be very careful not to let any of the water spill out of the hose because this will change the measurement from the water level to grade and do noy lift the end you are moving too high or water willl spill out at the attached end.If you use a plug in the hose to keep water from spilling out while you move from one spot to another,be sure to remove it before measuring to grade.
Instead of using the poured patio as your "level" try using the same string method. If I'm understanding this correctly, all you want is a level surface, right? Two stakes, a string and a level is all you need. Tie the string to both stakes, set one stake at the height you want then use your level in the middle of the string to determine whether the other stake needs to come up or down. I have a small level that clips directly to the string and this method has always worked for me.
level over to the wall with a 2x4 and level. measure to the top of the wall. measure down the other side the same distance
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