No, we do not use this tool. IMVHO, I feel it is too close to an engineering function and is outside of our wheelhouse.
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The tool the in the OP is better suited for grading work in my opinion. The tool I use (laser level) is what I call a “show and tell” tool. Great for when the client or agent is watching. It can however verify differences in floor slope between floors (something a golf ball won’t do - can’t very well measure the speed of the roll), and can verify ongoing settlement with subsequent visits (may or may not be something you want to do).
I use a big shooter marble. Makes a nice ping when it hits the far wall. It can be a little more challenging to use it with carpeted floors. I got it with a bag of marbles at a Dollar Store.
I have a laser level, but have only used it once when I tried it out. There are lots of tools that we could use, but I argue that unless you are getting paid a lot for the extra time to use them, then just don’t. We all go beyond the SoP but when you go way beyond the SoP, you can add a lot of time to your inspection and potentially add liability as you leave doing a visual inspection behind and enter doing a more technically exhaustive inspection.
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Well put…
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hi,
I did buy one similar to that and used it once on huge attached garage, showed bad pour job is all it did. Tried to work it in on large house jobs and even made up a form for it, just complicated matters.
When I showed one realtor what it does he said I will not be getting any of his business-and I never did. All the other answers above on what to use is the answer. By the way-it was later stolen out of my truck along with some tools. My deductible is to high so I got nothing
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That was an interesting response from the Realtor. It was either a very savvy realtor that understands the scope of a home inspection or a crappy one who only wants soft inspectors. Hard to say.
@czhang5, we use a Zip level and steel balls in this video:
All of which is a waste of time if you don’t document it. Be interesting to see what your report narrative looks like. I only get involved with floors that are drastically out of level and the client has expressed a concern.
Can’t imagine why you’d want to spend $1000 on a Zip level when you can get a cross line self-leveling laser for as little as $50.00 (if you’re going to use it).
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Thanks InterNACHI®️ and Ben
I saw the video and the only different is the zip level can give you the exactly number and you can put those number in your report to let the report feel more professional。The traditional Ball can only said the floor is not level. Self leveling laser problem is if the property has too many staff to stop the laser line and it can not cross from livingroom to bedroom.
I think one inspector is right, if some agency see we use it for home inspection and they may not call me anymore.
…and you will still be out 1000 bucks!
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I love my Zip level and use it on every resale and pre-pour inspection I do.
For the pre-pours it’s great at quickly ensuring levelness of the forms while also measuring slab thickness and beam depth. On the resale inspections it impresses the agents and gives a good visual for my report showing real numbers to back up my opinion of the foundation performance. It doesn’t take long and is pretty damn accurate.
Frankly, I’ve had too many agents and potential clients ask me about it so I wouldn’t not use a Zip.
You don’t need a Zip level, but it sure looks more professional if you use one.
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How do you like that particular brand, Bob? I might grab it.
And would you mind explaining how exactly you use that measuring stick? How do you calibrate it/zero out the device?
The cross line level clamps on a step ladder at the desired height (will also clamp on the door trim). I usually set it up in a doorway to go across the room/floor of interest. This particular laser is red so the blue tape on the story pole lets it show up better for photographs - also you can mark it as you work. The story pole was made from a cabinet kick board trim I had left over from my kitchen remodel. It is marked -0- in the middle with inches and fractions above and below. The ruler marked board slides up and down the support post (made from whatever you have lying around). Having p[ositioned and turned on your laser you place the "story pole directly in front of it, adjust it to zero and then move it to various positions around the room. The scale reads both ways, a reading on the top scale indicates a low spot in the floor, areading on the bottom scale indicates a high spot.
The fancy “story pole” is for taking pictures. Used to just take a strip of drywall, mark zero with a pencil and walk across the room and make another mark. Both methods work.
If you have money to burn they make tripods for the laser and a surveyors story pole might impress whoever’s watching.
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Like this…
I use a ‘smart level’, which I think is better than the zip level, because I can put the measurements directly on the blueprint.
I only use this on new construction homes, and I charge additional for it… (If it is an older home that has settling issues, I just grab my laser level, because it is quick and easy…
But the idea on new homes is to take these measurements, and then do it again at the warranty inspection, to see if anything settled, and then they have documented proof that something changed…
(Or, it can be done again anytime during their structural warranty period)
Starting point is the orange 0, blue is higher, red is lower.
