Care of Leveling Rods

A leveling rod is a precision instrument and must be treated as such. Most rods are made of carefully selected, kiln dried, well seasoned hardwood. Scale graduations and numerals on some are painted directly on the wood; on most rods they are painted on a metal strip attached to the wood. Unless a rod is handled at all times with great care, the painted scale will soon become scratched, dented, worn, or otherwise marked and obscured. Accurate readings on a damaged scale are difficult.

Allowing an extended sliding section rod to close on the run by permitting the upper section to drop may jar the vernier scale out of position or otherwise damage the rod. Always close an extended rod by easing the upper section down gradually.

A rod will read accurately only if it is perfectly straight. Anything that might bend or warp the rod must be avoided. Do not lay a rod down flat unless it is supported throughout, and never use a rod for a seat, lever, or pole vault. In short, never use a rod for any purpose except the one for which it is designed.

Store a rod that is not in use in a dry place to avoid warping and swelling caused by dampness. Always wipe off a wet rod before putting it away. If there is dirt on the rod, rinse it off, but do not scrub it off. If you must use a soap solution; to remove grease, for example; use a very mild one. A strong soap solution will soon cause the paint on the rod to degenerate.

Protect a rod as much as possible against prolonged exposure to strong sunlight. Such exposure causes paint to chalk, to degenerate into a chalk-like substance that flakes from the surface.