Determining how badly my barn has settled/heaved

[Skyfair]

I've got a 30 x 25 dirt floor barn that sits on a concrete foundation on 3 sides. Framing is 2 x 6 construction. There are two sets of 8 x 8 posts rising from the front wall and midway back to carry the load across 3 door openings across the front. All 4 posts terminate in the dirt floor. I'm not sure how deep either the posts or the foundation walls go, yet. Looking at the front of the barn, it is obvious from door misalignment that the foundation has either settled or the posts have heaved. The center is higher than the two sides. Not sure about front to back yet. I will either need to jack up the barn walls along the foundation, or drop the center of the barn at the posts. To better understand the task ahead, I want to lay out elevations, at the 4 corners ground level, as well as above in the lofts and along the posts. Thus my question: how do you take accurate elevation readings? I don't own a ziplevel altimeter, or even a laser level. I'm happy to invest modestly in equipment (renting equipment nearby doesn't appear to be much of an option). Would love to hear how experienced "surveyors" would tackle this.

 

[mrmikey]

If you don't want to invest in a laser level, make one with a garden hose and a couple lengths of clear tubing, a water level. Cheap and doesn't need batteries

 

[Skyfair]

Laser levels seem reasonably priced but the altimeters are quite spendy.

 

[WM75Guy]

A self-leveling laser level would be a good investment, if it were my problem. You can use it to diagnose the problem and during repairs to check progress.

 

[paulsharvey]

If you learn to use one, a Lok Level, is a handy tool, that takes up zero room, takes no tripod, just a steady hand and shovel, and a helper on the rod. Not as precise as a laser or real builders level, but the old farts did a lot of rough work with them. The biggest advantage of laser is the single person operation over a builders level.

 

[2manyrocks]

If you don't want to invest in a laser level, make one with a garden hose and a couple lengths of clear tubing, a water level. Cheap and doesn't need batteries
View attachment 799552

And can operate around corners because it does not rely on line of sight

 

[tshep]

If you don't want to invest in a laser level, make one with a garden hose and a couple lengths of clear tubing, a water level. Cheap and doesn't need batteries
View attachment 799552

I tried that once (Instrument Tech, knew it should work) and found it very unreliable over, say 50 feet. Is there a trick? No bubbles, water wetter, etc?

 

[Doorman63]

And can operate around corners because it does not rely on line of sight

Water levels are easy to use.
Getting the water in the little hose is a bit tricky

 

[2manyrocks]

How to build and use a water level from Fine Homebuilding. https://www.finehomebuilding.com/membership/pdf/12541/021085058.pdf

Or check youtube.

 

[MossRoad]

I've got about 100' of clear vinyl tubing I bought about 1990 that I keep on a reel and use as a water level from time to time.

I fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and add some green food coloring to make it easier to see. Then I put one end of the tube in the bucket and put the other end lower, give it a quick suck like a straw and let the siphoning action fill the tube.

A couple clamps like this help a lot.



Last time I used it was 2 years ago building a garage foundation. I got it within 1/4" level all the way around, 24' x 24'. Good enough for me.

 

[mrmikey]

I tried that once (Instrument Tech, knew it should work) and found it very unreliable over, say 50 feet. Is there a trick? No bubbles, water wetter, etc?

You have to let it set for a day or so to make sure the air is completely gone. The air will stick to the side of the hose in small bubbles initially until it dissipates.
My dad used to say the oldtimers would leave the water in it for years and would get extremely upset if someone dumped the water out. How they'd do that without mould I have no idea, maybea bit of bleach. I found a bit of windshield washer AF would work great as it would also lower the surface tension of the water as well.

 

[2manyrocks]

Some say 1/4 tube is too small, but 3/8 tube works better.

 

[scootr]

I would start by determining if the change is due to ground movement or support decay. If support decay, post rot or such, those posts may need to be replaced or shortened and the masonry support extended. If the center ground has heaved and is holding solid those posts may need to be shortened. Pictures would help us visualize the problem a lot. It's fair to say we do not know what we are talking about without them.
You can simply pull a masons line along some fixed point like the front wall top plate to enable you to measure how much heave you are actually looking at. Then you can hold a good 4 ft or longer level to the line to see which side is higher and roughly by how much. You can do this in less time than imagined. Tools needed a string line, 2 nails, a hammer, a level, and a tape measure.

 

[dodge man]

I’m a land surveyor and would use what we called an automatic level. It’s optical, you set it up on a tripod, get it close to level, then take readings with a level rod. A rotary laser would also work, the kind that sits on a tripod and you put a sensor on the level rod.

These are fairly simple to use but do take a little bit of training to use.

 

[scootr]

I’m a land surveyor and would use what we called an automatic level. It’s optical, you set it up on a tripod, get it close to level, then take readings with a level rod. A rotary laser would also work, the kind that sits on a tripod and you put a sensor on the level rod.

These are fairly simple to use but do take a little bit of training to use.

I would use my Rotary laser level too but not everybody has access to one of these. Mine is left over from a building career.

 

[2manyrocks]

Some pictures might help.

 

[dodge man]

I agree, not everyone has access to one or knows how to use it. I’d find a contractor or someone else to come do it if necessary.

 

[JJT]

A ball of string and a mason's line level are my go to's most of the time, even though I have a laser, pocket and water levels. I doubt your center post has heaved, more than likely the sides have sunk/settled.

How old is the barn?

 

[scootr]

I would use my Rotary laser level too but not everybody has access to one of these. Mine is left over from a building career. Seems to require new batteries every time I use it now = once in a blue moon.

 

[tradosaurus]

I wonder how they kept level when building the pyramids