A water level is simple to use: Place the base unit on one side of whatever you're trying to level and then open the water valves of the tubing and place the tube on the object you're trying to level. If the base unit beeps at a high rate, you're too high. If there's no beep, you're too low, and if there's a constant beep, you're right on.

If you don't want to spend the cash for a water level, make your own. Here's how:

• Purchase some flexible, clear tubing.
  
• Fill it with water and use some food coloring so you'll be able to read the level of the water.
  
• Note that water is always naturally going to find its level, which means all you have to do is place one end of the water-filled tube at one end of what you're trying to level and the other end of the tube at the other end of the object. The water will automatically level off. Once the water finds its mark, you'll know if your object is level or not and how far off it may be.