How can I use a rotary laser level with a building in the way?

[Brian Elfert]

I am looking at possibly building a much larger garage over top of my existing garage. The current garage has eight foot ceilings and the new garage will have 16 foot ceilings. I think the new garage would go over the ridge of my current garage. I want to do this so I don't have to find storage for the stuff in my current garage.

Anyhow, how would I use a rotary laser level to level the new footings with a building in the way? I am told it can be done, but my Google searches have failed me so far.

[Bill McNiel]

Layoff the elevation of the existing footing to "line of sight" stakes. Use as many as required to circumvent obstructions.

[Kevin Jenness]

Use a water level.

[Tom M King]

Any windows?

[Jerome Stanek]

Any windows?

+1 on water level more accurate then laser

[Jim Becker]

You'll need to establish more than one reference point since you can only use line-of sight with a rotary laser. Set one and then set one or two more based on that initial reference.

[Dick Strauss]

Use one laser, make a mark on the corner of the building...move the laser around the corner and align it to the original mark. Now you can project the same level line around a corner.

[Zachary Hoyt]

It sounds to me like the easiest way would be to get a really long grade pole and put the level on the peak of the roof. You'd also need a stepladder that was tall enough for someone to climb up to the line and read it.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

That might sound a little goofy but it's very similar to shooting a DIY topo, once it's set you're pretty much good to go. I've used a 16' 2x4....probably looked a bit stupid walking around in the middle of a pasture with a 2x sticking up in the air though.

......You might give it a go and try to put on like you couldn't find a shorter 2x

[Jim Becker]

Using super long grade poles and so forth sounds kewel, but just transfering the reference as both Dick and I have suggested is easy, accurate and stays at ground level.

[Brian Elfert]

I thought a rotary laser level is the way construction is done these days. I bought a good one (At 50% off it was still around $400.) from Amazon Warehouse Deals about two years anticipating my garage project. I didn't do any research into alternatives like the water level.

A water level might still be an alternative and just sell the laser level. It looks like brand new. The included batteries are unopened. I have no idea why it was returned to Amazon.

[Steve Jenkins]

If you use a really long grade pole make sure it’s vertical. If it is tilted either away or towards the laser it can throw you off by inches.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Brian,

Before retiring, the way we leveled MR scanners, CT scanners and x-ray equipment was using a water level. I helped a guy side his house and we used a water level. At the same time, I have a Bosch non-rotating laser level I use here at home. Water levels work easier if there is more than one person working, using it at the time.

[Jim Becker]

I thought a rotary laser level is the way construction is done these days. I bought a good one (At 50% off it was still around $400.) from Amazon Warehouse Deals about two years anticipating my garage project. I didn't do any research into alternatives like the water level.

A water level might still be an alternative and just sell the laser level. It looks like brand new. The included batteries are unopened. I have no idea why it was returned to Amazon.

Brian, I also bought a rotary laser for my shop project. For me, I feel it's going to be a lot more useful and less cumbersome than a water level. I know a lot of folks prefer a water level and I respect that; I prefer the tech.

[Walter Plummer]

About the grade pole. Lean it forward and backward, the shortest measurement is plumb. Way back in the dark ages when we used a transit or builder's level that is how we did it.