brooklyn1 writes:

On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:10:53 -0400, wrote:

brooklyn1 writes:

On Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:38:26 +1000, "David Hare-Scott"
wrote:

khevlan wrote:
Hi all

I'm trying to level a section of garden to put down a patio. I have
read guides on the internet about how to do this but do not
comprehend the information well (I'm a real gardening beginner).

My understanding is that I need a "master peg," a spirit level and
level planks but am not sure exactly what to do with them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

How big is the area and how level does it need to be? Laser levels are
quite cheap these days and much more effective over a large area if it needs
to be accurate.

And you don't want a patio level, it needs to be pitched so that water
runs off and away from buildings.

Yes, but you need to find level to establish the pitch.

Actually level exists by default, determined by gravity...

Hmm, what did I say about "level existing"?

I used the term "find level". Do you think you can find level
by default?

one only
needs to determine pitch... that's why those secondary/terciary
graduations on mason's levels. Line levels are good for erecting a
fence/curbing but are pretty useless for determining patio pitch,
roof/gutter pitch, wasteline pitch... for larger jobs or where more
accuracy is required, like parking lots and roadways, one should use a
transit/theodolite.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodolite

A quick search turns up prices of $750 to $1000 US.

Is that really your advice?


If you can find a reasonably priced laser with a light bright enough, go
for it.

Otherwise, you need good string to mark out the size and shape of the
patio, so the string is needed anyway.

Cut some good pegs, run the string, hang the $2 line level on the string
and you're on your way.