Had to pick between a water table and story pole for a tricky retaining wall job last month

Honestly, I've always used story poles for everything. They're quick and I know my measurements are solid. But this retaining wall out in Bakersfield had all these curves and steps, so my usual method just wasn't cutting it. I gave the water table a shot instead, running a level line and marking every course directly on the wall. It took me about an extra 45 minutes to set up compared to a story pole, but man, the accuracy was way better on those curved sections. No guessing on where the next course would land. Has anyone else found a specific job where the water table beats a story pole every time?

2 comments

2 Comments

robert_rodriguez667d ago

water table beats a story pole every time" - yeah, I learned that one the hard way trying to use a story pole on a curved flagstone patio once... let's just say my "measure twice, cut once" rule turned into "measure six times, cut twice, then throw the whole thing out and start over." That day I swore off story poles for anything that isn't a straight line. I think my favorite part of the water table method is how it forces you to actually look at the wall instead of just trusting the stick. Makes me feel like less of a clown when the courses actually line up at the end.

mary_kelly7d agoTop Commenter

OH man, that curved flagstone story really hit home. I had a similar mess trying to lay brick on an old foundation that had settled crooked over the years. By the time I figured out the water table trick, I'd already bowed out the whole first course.