Making Sure Walls Are Perfectly Plumb

[crokett]

I want to ensure the walls on the tub surround are plumb or nearly so, else the tile will look bad in the corners. What is the easiest way? I have a 4' level and I think I have a plumb bob somewhere.

[shoottx]

Prayer!

[cabinetman]

A level is what I'd go with. The name: "Plumb Bob" sounds like a fail safe method, but your name isn't Bob.
.

[drillman88]

In all my years of helping my Dad all I ever saw used was a 4' level. He and my Uncles were sticklers for straight lumber and purlins for stiffness in the walls in areas like you describe.

[cgallery]

I'd check the level with the plumb bob, and I'd check the framing with the level.

[430752]

Ahhh... here is a an opportunity for a new tool: the 6 foot level! Sure its a beast, but its a beaut. And, at that length, it works great as a straightedge to go across several studs horizontally to make sure no bowing of the wall either. The question is, can you either sell it to or sneak it past the missus?

[Garasaki]

No doubt, how you framing stuff without a 6 foot level??

I choose to get a 6 foot level and not have a 4 foot level. Longer is better.

There have been a few times I have not been able to use the 6 foot because it's too long and had to rely on a 2 foot but the 6 footer ROCKS for framing.

Get the straightest lumber you can and block the walls once they are up (14.5" pieces perpendicular to the framing members)

[scmhogg]

David,

You can get a 72" level from Amazon for $37.00 + free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-42-720...156261&sr=1-25

Steve

[Raffi]

As soon as I finish my master bath remodel I need to do my main bathroom tub surround.

I was planning on:

Break out plaster down to studs: repair any damage
Shim existing studs to plum using 2x4's custom cut to size with my BT3
Layer of green board
Layer of cement board
Tile

The green board will give me the depth i need to install quarter round based trim for the tile (i like it better than the flush bullnose installation)

Raffi

[crokett]

The walls are already there. I'm not framing anything. Eying them the gap at the corner between te 2x4s looks pretty consistent but I want to check anyway. I will check tonight with the level so I know what I am dealing with tomorrow. My other thought was to put the CBU on the back wall, then hold some up on the sidewall and scribe a line. Take that down and see how well it follows the end of the CBU.