What types of construction levels are there?

Almost all construction and finishing works are carried out using the building level. The main task of the level is to determine the deviation from the vertical or horizontal. Also, it can be used to transfer the angle between the structural elements. In order to make a choice when buying, you need to familiarize yourself with what construction levels are. There are several types of levels. The most popular of them are bubble, hydro levels and laser.

Due to the level of construction, all lines, structures and surfaces are created with the necessary evenness and accuracy.

Bubble level

The most common and easy to use - bubble level building. It has the shape of an oblong rectangle with three flasks. The body is often made of metal and impact-resistant plastic. The flasks contain alcohol with a balloon of air to determine deviations. Each of the three flasks has its own purpose:

• one determines the vertical error;
• the second determines the horizontal error;
• the third serves as an inclined scale that can be adjusted.

The main characteristic of the level is its length. When choosing a level, it is necessary to determine for which works it is selected:

Air balls in flasks with alcohol determine horizontal, vertical and inclined errors.

• installation of sockets and switches is performed using a short;
• when laying tiles it is better to choose the middle one;
• To test the “flatness”, a control rod is needed, which can be a long level.

Also an important feature is ergonomics. Levels that have handles are more convenient to use. As for the flasks, they should be transparent enough for the balls with air to be clearly visible. Some levels are sold with magnetic inserts, thanks to which the level can be attached to metal surfaces.

Water level

Water level measurement circuit.

With the help of the hydraulic level, it is possible to estimate the relative position of objects that are at a distance relative to the horizontal surface. Water construction level has the form of a flexible transparent hose filled with water, to the ends of which the flasks are attached. For proper operation, the water in the tube must be clean and free from bubbles. The basis of the action of the water level is taken the law on communicating vessels. Thus, the pressure that is applied to water in any place is transmitted to all its points.

Features and principle of using the hydro level

The hose, on which flasks are marked up with a scale, must be from 3 to 25 meters long. From above the flasks are tightly closed with caps. This type of levels is quite convenient to use, since it can be used to measure in remote areas. The advantage is simplicity and low cost. Also, the hydraulic level has disadvantages:

• it can only be used when working with horizontal surfaces;
• the error may cause insufficient purity of water or the presence of air bubbles in it;
• in the process of applying the level, there should be no heated objects or heat sources nearby, that is, it is sensitive to temperature;
• moving the flask, you need to wait a few minutes to ensure that the water level is established.

Use water level to mark the ceiling.

In order to perform measurements using a hydro level, you must first fill the tube with water. One of its ends should be lowered into a bucket filled with water, and through the other end it should be poured until all air is displaced. In this case, the water should be at room temperature. Fill it up to the mark "0" on the scale. To check the correctness of filling, it is necessary to combine two flasks. Water should be set at the same mark.

It is better to perform measurements with the help of a hydro level in a pair.

At the required height, a label is applied, and a flask is applied to it at the level of “0”. The second end of the level is transferred to the surface required for measurement (the same wall or the opposite). The flask should be moved until the liquid has taken the position at the zero mark on the scale.

Laser level

Measurement circuit laser level.

This type is recognized as the most accurate of levels. It has small dimensions, weight and the ability to attach to any surface. Such a construction level works on finger-type batteries, and the range of ray projection reaches 100 m. There are two types of laser levels: for plotting direction and for plane. In the first case, the device beats off points on the plane, and in the second, the beam is projected into the plane using an optical system. The design itself is mounted on a tripod, belts or magnets. Among the many advantages of this device there is one drawback - the high cost. The high price can be justified by continuous operation. If the level will be used infrequently, it is better to buy a bubble or hydro level.

Choosing a building level, you first need to decide on the scope and frequency of its use. For measurements at large distances, it is better to choose water or laser devices. Measurements of small planes can be performed with a bubble level, then the error will be less. If you want, you can do the level yourself. In order to make the water level, you will need a pair of syringes and a tube. You can make a construction plummet with the help of a square, a weight and thread.