While wanting to establish grades for landscaping or buildings, many tools can help you speed up the process and make life easier. But nothing comes close to using a laser level for these jobs.
You can use laser levels for numerous types of activities to make sure things are following a level line. Especially for a beautiful landscaping project, you want that level of accuracy that only laser levels can provide. So, how to use a laser level for landscaping?
You need this question answered to apply the laser level for your project. Read along to learn the step-by-step process of using laser level in this article.
Benefits of Using Laser Level for Landscaping
One of the essential tools for all craftsmen and construction workers is the laser level. You can use laser levels for any work that requires precision positioning in various locations.
In fact, the fate of several construction-type projects like grading, foundation, excavation, landscaping, etc., depends on the accuracy which can be obtained by laser level.
The major benefits of using a laser level can be summarized as follows:
- A laser level creates accurate straight lines on the ground, walls, or ceilings, making it an essential tool for landscapers and designers.
- When you want to level out a piece of land to build a garden or law a new lawn, accurate measurement is necessary with the help of a laser level.
- If you notice the backyard sloping away from the house, you can’t build a patio there. If you don’t know this slope, the patio can become unstable. To measure this slope, you need a laser level.
- Using a rotary laser level in the middle of an area can determine whether the ground is too steep. It also helps you measure the level of the foundation.
- Knowing the use of laser level for landscaping can also come in handy if you’re a DIYer.
How to Use a Laser Level for Landscaping?
A laser level is surprisingly easy to use and apply. But for novices trying to use it for the first time needs some basic guidelines.
Step 1: Set up the Laser Level
The first thing to do is to set up the laser level. Select a firm and dry ground and spread the legs of the tripod. Keep the tripod legs equal distance from each other and plant them firmly on the ground.
You need to have a sturdy setup for mounting the laser level. It guarantees better and more accurate results from the laser level. Firm setup also prevents it from toppling over.
Step 2: Turn the Laser Level on
Once you’ve mounted the laser level, turn it on. It will level itself; you just need to wait for a few moments. Manual adjustment is also another option with the help of screws.
Step 3: Establish the Desired Height
It is better to have an assistant help you with this step. At this point, ask your assistant to help you with marking the level ground. They’ll be placing the grade rod bottom on a place that has your desired ground height.
Step 4: Detect and Adjust the Laser Beam
Direct the laser beam towards the grade rod that is placed on the ground by your assistant. The position of the detector needs to be adjusted until you notice it connecting with the beam.
To adjust the detector, it needs to be moved up and down to find the right spot. You’ll notice it connecting when you hear a constant beep sound.
Step 5: Move the Grade Road Around
Now you know the desired height setup. This lets you move the grade rod around the land for landscaping. Reading can be taken at any point to know which part of the ground is above the desired height or below it.
Step 6: Mark Out Your Height
The last step involves marking the piece of land being landscaped. The bottom of the grade you want is represented by the grade rod’s bottom. Mark the spots with sticks or flags or even chalk. Measure the spots and dig them to the desired height. Repeat the process by moving them till you have gained enough spots marked out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use laser level excavation?
You can see from our discussion above that measuring ground for leveling and landscaping is very simple when you have the right tools and the know-how. But leveling the ground by excavation is another job entirely. Its level of accuracy will, however, depend on how you’ve measured and planned the land with laser level before. And this process of laser leveling was already described previously. You need to remember that you can keep the markings with sticks, flags, or chalk close together or far apart. But the closer they’re together, the better result you’ll get.
What are the two things you should do before using a laser level?
It doesn’t matter for whatever reason you’re using a laser level, the first thing you need to keep in mind is to invest in the right tool. Get a laser level with a self-leveling feature that is better. The next thing to do is to get a helping hand to hold the grade rod and line up the laser detector. Because using laser level for landscaping is tough for a single person.
Do laser levels work outside?
Of course, they do. Although laser levels work far better for indoor tasks, they’re also quite good outside. Some are specifically made for outside use. The best outdoor laser levels are the rotary laser ones that can be mounted on a tripod.
Final words
You need a laser level for carrying out all sorts of jobs. Although for simple household jobs you don’t need to spend much, for long-term planning you need to pick a reliable product that is worth spending the extra money on.
The next thing to do after you’ve bought it is to know how to use a laser level for landscaping works which is really the basics of using it.
