To build a house, you need to have markings. Only if you have it will you be able to build the structure correctly, without worrying that it will warp and differ from the plan that you drew in your head or even on paper.
Peculiarities
Marking is the first stage of construction. It should be classified not so much as preparatory work as construction work, since its importance cannot be overestimated. An interesting fact is that to complete most constructions you only need knowledge of rectangular markings. In all other cases, you can only use them, while the quality will remain at a high level. Before you begin marking, you will need to carry out some preparatory steps. One of the most important among them is site preparation. It is necessary to remove all debris and grass and level the surface to simplify subsequent work.
Marking has its own rules, and all constructions should be made only on their basis. Neglect of the rules leads to the fact that the markings will be done incorrectly, which in turn will lead to the incorrect location of the foundation for the house. It may be severely skewed or the corners will turn out uneven. Particularly difficult is marking a sloping or uneven area. In these cases, you need to take care of choosing a foundation of a suitable type, otherwise the house itself will not turn out straight.
It is better to entrust the markings for such a foundation to professionals, since here it will be necessary to take into account side factors, such as adjustments for height and others.
Types of structures
Only some types of foundations are considered the most popular. This is due to the fact that they are relatively easy to build yourself.
Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention only to them, since the builders will do the markings for everyone else.
- Tape. This type is the easiest to construct. So, it is a reinforced concrete strip, which is located around the entire perimeter. It can be shallow, which is suitable for wooden and small stone houses, and recessed - for houses with heavy walls.
- Columnar. From the name it is clear that the foundation is built on pillars. They are located in areas of maximum load. However, it is worth considering that this type can only be used for houses made of lightweight materials, for example, frame ones.
- Monolithic. In this case, a solid slab acts as the foundation. Construction does not require special skills, but it is extremely important to mark it correctly. The advantage of this method is that when the soil moves, the entire foundation moves along with it, thereby maintaining the integrity of the house.
- Pile. This method is chosen when construction is carried out on heaving or unstable foundations. It is suitable for the construction of foundations for heavy houses.
- Screw. In terms of its characteristics, this option is close to the pile one. It is also suitable for floor construction. Unlike the previous option, screw piles need to be screwed in, not driven in, which is why many choose them.
General rules
Without preparation and following the sequence of rules, it will not be possible to mark the site correctly. The following so-called reference point must be taken into account. The location of one of the corners of the foundation must be tied to any object located on the site. This is done to make it easier to correct yourself if you accidentally make a mistake. An example of such an object would be a fence.
Many people try to position the house so that it is parallel to the fence structure. To do this, equal segments are laid off from the fence at several points, perpendicular to the plane of the fence. You can use twine for this. After this, you need to build a right angle from the starting point. Now you can begin the remaining stages of marking.
Tools
It is necessary to make a breakdown of the area using tools specially designed for this, so before you begin this type of work, It is recommended to stock up on tools such as:
- roulette. The length of the measuring tape must be equal to or greater than the length of the diagonal. You can use a shorter device, but this will cause additional difficulties with docking;
- wooden stakes are needed to secure the twine to the ground after the markings have been transferred to a lower plane;
- a square will only be needed to check 90-degree angles, but it won’t hurt to have both 30 and 60 degrees;
- cord or twine for marking;
- fastenings are needed to secure the twine to the stakes. You can use clothespins, nails, clamps - whatever is suitable for this;
- a laser level or theodolite, and you can also use a cheaper construction level - a spirit level. However, you need to know that working with a laser level is much easier and faster.
How to do it?
Markings are made for different types of foundations. It is necessary to bind the markup to the type, since it may have its own characteristics in each specific case. All of them must be taken into account. However, first it is necessary to consider the general specific features.
Two methods for constructing a rectangular foundation
In fact, anyone who studied geometry at school can construct a right angle. This does not require any special knowledge. So, in one of the cases you can apply the Pythagorean theorem:
C=√ (A²+B²)
Without delving into the jungle of geometry, it is worth considering the use of the Pythagorean theorem using an example. If there are two sides already built. One is located along the fence. There are no plans to change it. The second one was built nearby, but I am not sure that it is located at a right angle and I want to check it. Then you need to measure a segment from the corner on each side. For example, many take the entire length for a segment.
For example, let’s take sides of 9 and 12 m. Then √ (9²+12²) =√ (81+144) = 15 m. This means that the diagonal between them should be 15 m.
If everything is correct, it means that the angle is perfectly straight. If not, then it is possible to slightly move the peg marking the second corner, thereby correcting the wear.
The second method is called the “web”. Here it is important to prepare twine that does not stretch. You definitely need to pay attention to this fact, otherwise nothing will work. First you need to cut the twine exactly to fit the dimensions of the future foundation. Let's take the same 9 and 12 m. It is necessary to cut off a piece in order to measure the diagonals in the future. You will need two sections of 9, 12 and 15 m, as well as a small amount for fastening.
Now you need to fasten the twine at the corners, and also attach the diagonals. After this you can start stretching. First, you should tighten one side, preferably a long one or located along the fence. After this, you need to tighten one of the short sides.
It is worth making sure that the twine indicating the diagonal is also well stretched. You need to do the same with the other short side. All fastenings should be done using wedges.
Under a columnar foundation
The cast-off should be made in two tiers. In this case, the lower tier should be located at the same level as the pillars. After this, you can tighten the string. You should check that the strings intersect at right angles. Where the twine intersects, use a plumb line to mark the places for the piles and secure the wedges. The strings should be removed so as not to interfere.
Now you need to drill holes for the pillars and install the pillars. Re-tighten the strings. Now you need to bring all the pillars out of the ground equally so that they touch the twine.
It must be remembered that the strings from the center of the cast-off must be moved to the edges so that they do not interfere with installation and adjustment.
Under strip foundation
In this case, you will need to make double markings, since the strip foundation is a strip. First you need to position the cast-off, then you need to pull the string at right angles. First, the outer contour is made. It should be remembered that the height of the string must be equal to the upper level of the foundation. After this, you need to make an internal contour. To do this, a piece equal to the width of the tape is laid on a cast-off piece of existing twine, after which an internal contour is made.
Later, using a plumb line, corner locations are determined. Pegs are fixed to the ground at the corners. A string is stretched between them, marking the boundaries of the trench for the strip foundation. After this they dig a trench. When forming the sheathing, it is not necessary to re-tension the top strings if the height of the foundation will be determined by the sheathing.
Under a slab foundation
In this case, marking is much easier than for a columnar or strip foundation. All you need to do is build a rectangle using string. Particular attention should be paid to drawing right angles. Basically, that's where it all ends. In the future, in the same way as in previous cases, using plumb lines you need to find corner places on the ground and mark them with pegs.
Complex markup
When you need to mark an unusual rectangular foundation, or a structure with many protruding corners, you will have to work hard. However, it is still possible.
The step-by-step instructions are as follows:
- To begin with, the general outline of the future structure is outlined. The plan should indicate the distances from the extreme protruding points to each other. Based on this data, a large rectangle is built into which the house will be inscribed;
- after this, it is necessary to correct all angles, re-measure the diagonals and lengths of the sides;
- Next, they move on to the most difficult thing - marking the breaks in the walls. It's worth keeping in mind that in almost a hundred percent of cases, each of these breaks is another rectangle, so all you need to do is build a few rectangles inside. In the future, it is necessary to set and recheck the angles;
- Using plumb lines, it is necessary to calculate the intersections that are also on the plan and form the general outline of the house.
Many builders are faced with this problem - how to find a 90 degree angle using a construction tape and a pencil?
Let's look at how in practice anyone can, within a few minutes, use a construction tape and a pencil to make an accurate square with a right angle, that is, 90°.
Technology for obtaining a triangle with a right angle
1. First, let's decide on the system of calculation, for example, we will count in “cm”.
2. Come up with any number, for example 20.
Note: This can be any number you want. The higher the number, the larger the size of the triangle itself.
3. Take the combination of numbers “3, 4, 5” and sequentially multiply each of these numbers by the number 20 we invented.
4. The following numbers are obtained: 60, 80, 100.
5. Assign them one by one to the sides of the triangle:
- First cactet 60 cm
- Second cactet 80 cm
- Hypotenuse 100 cm.
6. We use it.
How to make a square with a right angle yourself in 5 minutes?
1. We connect two even wooden slats together, so that one of them is perpendicular to the other.
2. We measure two legs according to the system outlined above.
3. Nail the wooden strip to the first mark.
4. We measure the hypotenuse and fix it on the second leg.
Before you learn how to construct a right angle, you need to remember its definition. A right angle is an angle of ninety degrees formed by two perpendicular lines. You can also say that it is half a full angle. There are several ways to construct a right angle.
Methods for constructing a right angle
The simplest thing is to construct a right angle using a drawing square. It is applied to the paper and lines are drawn along the perpendicular sides: a right angle is obtained. You can also use a protractor. Attach a protractor to the line drawn with a pencil and mark a ninety-degree angle on paper. Then connect this mark with a line (along a ruler) to a line on the paper.
- There is a method for constructing a right angle using a compass and ruler. First you need to draw a circle with a compass and draw its diameter. Then mark an arbitrary point on the circle and connect it to the ends of the diameter: you get a triangle inscribed in the circle. Its angle (with its vertex at a point on the circle) will be right.
- The second way is to draw any two intersecting circles. Connect two intersection points with one line, and draw the other through the centers of the circles. These two segments will intersect at an angle of 90 degrees.
- If you don't have drawing tools, you can use any rectangular objects. This can be a sheet of cardboard, any packaging (medicine, a pack of cigarettes, a box of chocolates, etc.), a book, a photo frame, etc.
Constructing right angles on the ground
In general, constructing right angles on the ground is necessary in construction, when dividing plots of land, etc. For this purpose, special instruments are used - eker, astrolabe, theodolite. But it is unlikely that these tools will end up, for example, on a summer cottage. Then you can use a method that has been used since ancient times. You will need three pegs and ropes of 3, 4 and 5 meters. Stick a peg into the ground, tie 3 and 4 meter ropes to it, and the rest of the stakes to their ends. Connect the last two pegs with a 5-meter rope, pull the resulting triangle, and drive these stakes into the ground. The angle of the triangle with the first peg will be right.
As you can see, there are many simple ways to construct a right angle.
The very first stage of construction is the removal of the axes and edges of the house from the drawings or diagrams “in kind”. To do this yourself, you need to follow the technology and control the accuracy of the measurements. In most cases, it is enough to know how to correctly mark the foundation for a house that is rectangular in plan. You can perform work for more complex forms based on these skills. The transfer of geometry to the site depends on the type of foundation, but the initial stage is no different.
The very first stage in this case is finding one of the corners of the house and constructing perpendicular rays from it. Here they use the Egyptian triangle method or the Pythagorean theorem. A geometric figure has one right angle and legs that are multiples of 3 and 4. The hypotenuse must be a multiple of 5.
The step-by-step instructions are as follows:
- Determine the location of one of the walls of the house on the site. Most often it is placed so that it is parallel to the fence or property line (if the fence has not yet been built). If you need to mark relative to the fence, then equal sections are laid off from it and a line is laid. Determine the location of one corner (or two corners) of the building and mark them with stakes. The line is secured using a cast-off. To do this, the structure is located at some distance from the slope of the pit (at this stage of its intended location). The cast-off is a structure made of racks and horizontal boards that are attached to them. For a strip foundation, it is enough to make the boards in one row.
- Select a corner on the side of the house from which subsequent construction will be done with your own hands. The string is pulled from this point, and this must be done at an angle of 90 degrees as accurately as possible, by eye. It is impossible to do this absolutely precisely in practice, so at this stage there are deviations from the project. At the intersection point (the corner of the house on the first side taken out), the twine is fastened. Initially, work is carried out using a cord. After the right angle is determined accurately, you can install the cast-off with your own hands.
- From the intersection point, mark 3 meters on one cord, 4 meters on the second.
- Using a tape measure, measure the distance between two marks (hypotenuse) in a straight line. At the same time, the work is difficult to complete alone. It is important to securely fix the measuring device at the starting point.
- If the distance is 5 m, then the angle is constructed accurately and its degree measure is 90ᵒ. You can proceed to the next points. If the value does not match, it means that the right angle is not constructed correctly. It is necessary to shift the leg from its original location until the hypotenuse becomes equal to 5 m.
- After the constructions are completed accurately, proceed to the next stage.
- On the first side (located parallel to the fence), take the second point (the size of the foundation on this side). Just like in the first case, you need to construct a right corner of the house and pull the third string.
- The length of the house wall is marked on the second cord and from this point you need to find a right angle and secure the fourth cord.
- On the fourth and third sides, segments equal to the dimensions of the building in plan are laid out. If the geometry is executed accurately, then the marks will coincide. If this does not happen, the cords are moved to ensure a match.
- The final step is to check whether the rectangle is constructed correctly. This is not difficult to do. If all actions are performed accurately, then the diagonal measurements should be equal.
- The result should be a stretched string or installed cast-off, which indicates the external dimensions of the house.
Advice! When locating a house on a site, it is important to take into account red building lines and fire breaks. The first ones are usually indicated in the urban planning plan. In rural areas and cottage villages, red lines are usually roads (streets and driveways). The minimum distance from the driveway to the wall of the house is 3 m, from the street - 5 m. Fire breaks depend on the materials of the house and are assigned according to SP 4.13130.2009 “Fire protection systems” Table 1.
An alternative way to construct a rectangle
In addition to using the Egyptian triangle, marking the foundation can be done using the “spider web” method. To do this you will need twine, pegs and a tape measure. Actions are performed in the following order:
Advice! For this method, twine is used, which does not cause deformation (does not stretch). If this condition is not met, we cannot talk about the accuracy of the constructions.
The previous two points are valid for any type of foundation, but then there are differences. Strip foundations can be made using two methods:
- in the pit;
- in the trench.
A pit is needed if the building being constructed has a basement. The cast-off is located only along the outer contour. In the case of a trench, the inner edges of the tape are marked with twine, which is secured to the structure with nails. To do this correctly with your own hands, you need to retreat a distance from the first cord equal to the width of the foundation strip.
Advice! The basic requirements for carrying out work on removing foundations to the area are given in the joint venture “Geodetic work in construction”. The error in measurements and constructions, which is allowed according to the standards, is 1 cm, so special attention should be paid to accuracy.
Marking a columnar foundation
Step-by-step instructions for marking the outer edges of a house with your own hands look the same as in the previous case. To indicate the location of each individual element, install a cast-off around the perimeter at some distance and pull the string. In this case, two horizontal boards are attached to the castoff posts. The first is at the level of the edge of the foundation elements, the second is at the level of the upper edge of the grillage.
To mark the pillars, the twine is pulled so that it runs along the axes of the supporting structures (in the middle). The pitch of the cords is equal to the pitch of the supports under the building. To determine the drilling point or sections of soil from the intersection of the string, a plumb line is lowered. Next, the markings are moved to the outer contour of the supporting elements. All locations are marked on the cast-off with screws or nails.
Marking the grillage is carried out according to the same principle as the strip base (mark the outer and inner edges). You can perform actions based on an existing nail mark. From it, simply measure half the width of the grillage in both directions and hammer in new fasteners onto which the cords are pulled.
Marking the slab foundation
This option is the simplest. Essentially, after steps 1 to 11 described for a strip foundation have been completed, you can complete the work. Here you will need to mark only the outer rectangle with twine stretched between castoffs or pegs.
Carrying out the location of foundations on the ground is a feasible task, but it requires attention and scrupulousness. If the markings are done incorrectly, difficulties may arise during the next stages of building construction.
Advice! If you need contractors, there is a very convenient service for selecting them. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work that needs to be performed and you will receive proposals with prices from construction teams and companies by email. You can see reviews about each of them and photographs with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.
A construction tape measure for an electrician is as essential a tool as a voltage indicator. Even those professionals who have axle builders and laser rangefinders in their tool kits always have an ordinary tape measure in their pouch.
You can’t do without it either when marking electrical wiring routes or when installing socket boxes.
However, not everyone is familiar with all the secrets and additional features when using a construction tape measure.
It turns out to have a lot of hidden abilities that will help you replace several tools at once and significantly save time on repairs.
By the way, one of the important tips for those who use cheap Chinese tape measures is the following - if you have just such a copy, then try to take all measurements with one tape measure.
The same size may not match when measured with different tape measures.
One friend measured the distance of walls in a house with a Chinese tool, and in a store he used their tape measure when buying materials. As a result, at home I was very surprised by the result of the purchase.
Movable hook on roulette
A movable hook is found on almost every roulette today. And this thing is not at all for conveniently scratching your back :) 
Beginners generally often think that this is some kind of marriage. What will be the final accuracy if one of the key elements is loose and not securely fastened? Some even manage to rivet it immediately after purchase.
It turns out that a movable hook is a necessity, without which normal work is not possible at all.
This is explained by the fact that measurements with a tape measure can be made in two ways:
When you measure distance from an object, the toe acts as a zero point. When measuring with the grip of an object, the grip extends to its thickness. Thus, the zero mark again coincides with the edge of the object.
In this case, the measurement accuracy does not suffer, but rather is maintained.
However, a fair remark should be made - the movable hook breaks over time and an error of up to a couple of millimeters may appear.
This happens due to the constant impact of the hook when closing.
Therefore, you should not wind up the construction tape with a spectacular click at the end, thereby you will only shorten its service life.
In many more models, the tape measure has a hole at the very beginning at a distance of 2.5 cm. 
It was made for a reason, but again to make your work easier alone.
When there is nothing to fasten to with a hook or it is inconvenient to use it due to the oblique surface, use a simple awl or nail to firmly secure the tape through the hole and stretch it to any length.
By using such a hole in the tape measure, you will not have to use similar grips as in the photo below. 
And all the marking work can be easily done without a partner.
Measurements in openings and corners
As you understand when measuring in corners, it is very difficult for the middle of the tape measure to reach directly into the corner. It is also inconvenient to take precise measurements in a door or window opening. 
Therefore, when you need to measure an opening, use the body as an extension of the tape measure. 
On the outside of the tape measure itself, the size of the case is indicated, which must be added to the tape readings when measuring. 
If this size is not marked on the body, no one is stopping you from measuring it yourself and writing it in any convenient place.
There is another way to make similar measurements using masking tape. Place a piece of tape on the surface and take two measurements in opposite directions.
In this case, it is better to use a pencil to mark ticks rather than simple dashes. They will visually show the mark more accurately. Whereas the line may be drawn crookedly, which will cause an error. 
After taking two measurements, you need to add the results and get the exact size.
Hole in the toe
On many holds, the tape measure has a small hole. This hole is convenient for hooking onto a screw or nail. After this, the hook will not jump off anywhere. 
This is especially useful when you are taking measurements alone over long distances. The measurement error will be no more than 1-2mm, since the center of the screw is almost at the zero mark of the tape. 
This connector in the hook also makes it very convenient to draw circles. You don't need to have a compass or protractor with you.
In some models, the hooks are made magnetic. 
In addition to their direct purpose, such hooks are convenient for lifting fallen objects without getting off the stepladder. 
Roulette marker
With a little modification to a cheap tape measure, one tool makes an excellent marking tool.
Take the leg of a compass, which is used with simple pencils, and secure it to the outside of the tape measure. 
This design can be made removable, or even adapted for a separate tape measure. 
This device is very convenient for making various marks or using it as a surface thicknesser. 
And when using a screw, circles of the desired diameter are easily drawn. 
If you're working with drywall or other surfaces that can be safely scratched, then the tape measure may be worth repurposing for another possibility. Use a file to make notches on the toe. 
After which, using this hook, marks are easily made on the surface. In this case, it is no longer even necessary to have a pencil at hand. 
Roulette reminder
The outer part of the tape measure can be easily turned into a mini reminder or writing surface. Take masking tape and stick it on the side of the tape measure. 
If you don’t have a paintbrush at hand, you can write directly on the body itself.
True, to do this, you first need to go over the surface with sandpaper. 
This way you will make it somewhat velvety, after which the inscriptions will be applied much easier. 
Of course, you need to write with a pencil, after which all this can be easily erased with an eraser.
Roulette calculator
With the help of a construction tape, it is very easy to divide any number in half with an accuracy of up to a millimeter, without resorting to a calculator.
Take the size on the tape measure, for example 116cm - and fold the tape in half and align the zero mark with it, where the top hook is.
Exactly at the point of inflection the required result will be - 58cm. 
In the same way you can not only divide, but also subtract. For example, the total length of your wall is 2m 11cm, and the junction box is located from the first edge at a distance of 1m 38cm. You need to quickly find out how much is left from this junction box to the other edge of the wall in order to measure the cable channel.
Pull the tape out 2m 11cm and fold it in half. 
Then look for the 1m 38cm mark. Just opposite it, on the second half of the tape, the distance you need will be shown - 73 cm. 
Dividing into several parts with a tape measure
Using an ordinary tape measure, you can easily divide the work surface or workpiece into the required number of equal parts. This method is suitable primarily for large surfaces - it will not work for pipes or cable ducts.
What do you usually do? Measure the total length or width, then make calculations and divide the distance into the required number of parts. Then again measure these parts on the surface with a ruler or tape measure. 
It turns out that all this can be done without a calculator and even without calculations. Take a number on the tape measure that is greater than the width of the workpiece, and at the same time a multiple of the value by which you want to divide the distance.
For example, the width of the board is 17cm, and you need to divide it into four equal parts. Move the tape measure diagonally to the nearest 20cm mark. Then easily divide these 20cm by 4 and mark marks at distances of 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20cm. 
As a result, you have divided the surface into the required number of parts with just one movement of the tape measure. 
They wanted to divide it into 6 parts - nothing complicated. You can move the diagonal up to 30cm and do the same.
You can also use a tape measure to accurately measure the cross section on a round pipe. To do this, press the tape tightly around the perimeter of the pipe, aligning the ends. If you align it exactly, it will not lie at any other than an angle of 90 degrees.
The wider the tape measure, the better. You can do the same trick with a simple piece of paper. 
When it is impossible to measure the diameter of a pipe or workpiece from the end, construction tape and geometry will again help. Wrap the tape around the pipe and measure its circumference. After which the result must be divided by Pi = 3.14. This will be the required diameter.
Once again using knowledge of geometry, using a construction tape without squares and other tools, you can check the accuracy of the right angle. As you know from school, the sum of the squares of the legs of a right triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. 
Take any surface where there should be a right angle, for example two walls of a room. Use a tape measure to measure 30cm in one direction and 40cm in the other and put marks. If the angle is really right and the builders didn’t screw up, then by connecting these two marks along the hypotenuse, you should get a distance of exactly 50 cm on the tape measure.
Loading...