Empire

The Empire range here is measuring and marking gear for site set-out rather than chemicals or membranes. It covers True Blue digital levels, a True Blue Trade Box Beam Spirit Level, a Metric T Square, a Professional Measuring Wheel, worksite permanent fine markers. Between them they handle the levelling, squaring, measuring and marking steps that come before a waterproofing or screed job starts.

True Blue is Empire's name for the vial design used across its spirit and digital levels. The vials are made to be read at a glance in poor site light and from awkward angles, which matters when you are checking a fall on your knees in a shower recess. Treat it as a usability feature of the tool rather than a compliance rating.

A spirit level is faster for straight plumb and level checks and never needs a battery, so the True Blue Trade Box Beam Spirit Level suits general set-out. A True Blue Digital Level gives you a readout of the actual slope, which is more useful when you are grading a floor towards a waste and want to confirm the fall rather than eyeball it. Falls in wet areas are governed by the relevant Australian Standards and the project spec, so check the target before you set out. Plenty of waterproofers carry one of each.

Yes, they are used at the set-out, screed and pre-membrane stages rather than in the coating itself. Wipe adhesive, screed slurry or wet membrane off the tool before it goes off, because cured product sitting on a machined edge will throw your readings out. Never use a level as a screed rail or a striking-off tool.

The worksite permanent fine markers are made for marking on rough trade surfaces such as timber, fibre cement, board and metal. They perform best on a clean, dry, dust free surface, so brush or blow the area down first. On damp or freshly primed substrates, mark your lines before priming or wait until the surface is dry to touch.

Sit the level on a flat surface, note the reading, then spin it end for end in the same spot. The reading should match, and if it does not the tool has been knocked and needs recalibrating or replacing. Digital levels have their own calibration routine, so follow the steps in the product's technical data sheet or supplied instructions. Store levels flat or hanging rather than loose in the ute tray.

The Empire range on this page, covering the True Blue digital levels, the True Blue Trade Box Beam Spirit Level, the Metric T Square, the Professional Measuring Wheel and the worksite permanent fine markers, can be ordered online from The Waterproofing Shop for delivery across Australia. If you are kitting out a crew, get in touch before ordering so multiples can be quoted together. If you are unsure whether a digital level or the box beam level suits your set-out, the team can talk it through first.