View ChannelsFeatured: Finance
View ShowroomsFeatured: Radiantec - Radiant Solar Heating

BobVila.com

Home

Finding a Level with a Laser

Ted Riley explains to how the concrete crew uses a laser to assure that they get a level slab. The crew first sets up the laser and then the target with the proper height. When the laser beeps, it's on target. The bottom of the stick tells them that it's at the same height as the rest of the area.

Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

Chapters from this episode

Discussing Insulation and Efficient Building Technology Now Playing

Discussing Insulation and Efficient Building Technology

Installing the Concrete Cellar Stairs Now Playing

Installing the Concrete Cellar Stairs

Reviewing the Home's Layout Now Playing

Reviewing the Home's Layout

Green Building Products and Technologies at the Cobb Hill Co-Housing Project Now Playing

Green Building Products and Technologies at the Cobb Hill Co-Housing Project

Finding a Level with a Laser Now Playing

Finding a Level with a Laser

Installing Water Resistant AdvanTech Engineered Wood Flooring Now Playing

Installing Water Resistant AdvanTech Engineered Wood Flooring

Clip Transcript For:

Finding a Level with a Laser

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" How can they be assured of getting a really level slab in here Ted?"

" Well, they have set up a laser, and then they set up a target with the proper height. And as you can see now, he's travel around that column and [unk] sets up the laser in [unk]"

" And the bottom would [unk] like that?"

" [unk]"

" The bottom of the stick tells him that just the same----"

" Yes."

" height as the rest of the area."

" Yes."

" Yes, it's not a course that's beeping from over here,"

" Yes."

" which is the laser the fringe, which is sending him a signal throughout this space. So, while they level out the concrete in this area, the next truckload of concrete is arriving. They'll be ready to start pouring that in a minute."

[-]

More Videos »Related Videos

Saw Guide

If you need to make a saw cut over a long distance, here's an easy way to make your cut perfectly straight. First, strike a chalk line the entire distance. Then, tack a length of strapping parallel to your cut line, set back the distance between the saw blade and the edge of the circular saw. Make your cut by pressing the saw firmly against your guide. You'll get a perfectly straight cut every time.

Securing a Roof

Loss of the roof causes the greatest amount of damage during hurricanes. Construction techniques have been developed for securing roofs during high winds. Use metal clips to tie the rafters to the top plate. Improve the attachment of the roof sheathing by spacing nails closer together. Seal the sheathing joints with an adhesive membrane (to prevent water penetration.)

Shingle Ripper

Use a shingle ripper to remove cracked or damaged shingles without having to reside the whole wall. First, determine which shingles are to be removed. Slide the notched end of the shingle ripper up behind the shingle. Feel around until the notch catches on the nail and then pull. Apply a small piece of flashing before nailing up the new shingle.

Shower Backing

For a first-rate shower installation, be sure what's behind the tile is waterproof. Start with a layer of 15lb felt paper to shield insulation and wall studs from escaping moisture. Instead of drywall, use cement board: it cuts and trims like drywall, but it provides a protective layer under wall or floor tile.

More Content »More Content

Garage Workshop Foundation and Slab

…steel reinforcing rods or rebar before the slab is poured. Form work surrounds the…
…floated, and polished to form a finished slab. An adhesive sill sealer closes gaps…
…foundation walls are in place, a concrete slab is poured and formed inside the foundation…

Concrete, Block and Slab Foundations

Concrete, Block, and Slab Foundations A slab often serves as the below-grade basement foundation for a…
…When building a house, two main types of foundations are used slab-on-grade or below-grade foundations with a basement slab…

First Floor Framing and Basement Slab Installation

Dan Enright and the crew from Enright Carpentry are on location to continue with the first floor framing using weather-resistant engineered wood. In the basement, work gets underway pouring the concrete floor and installing a bulkhead entryway.

Insulating Concrete Slabs, Foundations and Basements

…from the cement that will become the new slab foundation. These membranes protect against…
…infiltration and heat loss through the slab. Concrete slabs, basement foundation…
…cement discoloration. Heat loss through the slab can increase utility costs. Fortunately…

Browse Topics

Click on a letter to browse content by topic alphabetically.