My tiling nightmare with a level that lied to me

I was retiling my shower in Austin and used a 4-foot level I'd had for years. Turned out it was off by about 1/8 inch across the span, so my rows started drifting downward. By the time I noticed, I had to pull up 3 rows of brand new subway tile and start over. Has anyone else had a tool go bad on them mid-project without warning?

3 comments

3 Comments

amyh129d ago

Wait, a level can actually warp from heat like that?

wesleyflores9d ago

My Level 48 torpedo level went through two summers in the back of my service van and never once warped. Plastic vials can get cloudy or leak before they change shape from heat, in my experience. The real issue with cheap levels is usually the frame itself bending, not the vials warping. I've seen aluminum levels twist from being strapped down too tight on a roof rack, which throws the reading off way worse than any sun damage would. Your mileage may vary but I'd check the frame for any bow before blaming the heat.

danielr999d ago

Funny thing about levels, they can get knocked out of whack just from getting banged around in the truck or dropped on the job site. That 1/8 inch drift is a classic sign something hit it honestly. Another angle nobody brings up is that cheap levels with plastic vials can actually warp from heat if you leave them sitting in a hot car or near a job site window in direct sun. Swear I had a 6-footer that got baked on a patio job once and started reading a full 1/4 inch off after that. Might be worth checking if yours ever got left in a hot garage or trunk before you blame the age.