• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»Using a chalk line

Using a chalk line

Summary: Learn how to use a chalk line, make a straight line using chalk and string.


Chalk lines are used in the building industry for making straight lines on surfaces, where the accuracy is required over a long distance. Using a straightedge is the usual procedure for straight lines, but when the distance starts to become a problem, chalk lines are far easier and more accurate. A chalk line consists of a piece of string covered with chalk or some other coloured substance. When the string is stretched out marking the line needed, you simply flick the string against the surface and a marked line will appear.

Making a chalk line

  • The chalk line is useful for marking the position for dado rails, wallpaper borders and other wall features that need straight lines to mark their positions. When laying floor tiles, a chalk line is also very useful.
  • To use, you firstly need to mark two points on the wall where the line will run between. Do this by measuring from either the ceiling or the floor and mark the corresponding point at the other end where you want the line to finish.
  • If you do not have a helper, you will need to knock a small nail or tack into the wall on the first mark you have made and attach the string to it.
  • Then hold the string taught against the second point and flick the string so it leaves a straight line.
  • Alternatively, it would be better to use another person to hold one end of the string so you do not have to insert nails into the wall.

Related projects

  • Joining pipes
  • Drilling through tiles
  • Tap repairs
  • Laying terracotta or quarry tiles in a diagonal pattern
  • Laying ceramic floor tiles
  • How to cut pipe
  • How to remove grout
  • Fixing mosaic tiles to a wall
  • How to ceramic tile
  • How to grout tiles

Related cost guides

  • Average dishwasher installation cost
  • Average cost of a hot tub
  • Average cost to install a shower
  • Average window cleaning cost
  • Average cost of double glazing
  • Average cost of a sash window
  • Average cost to tile a bathroom

Recent Comments
  • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
  • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
  • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
Latest News
0

Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

1

Is Christmas a good time for DIY?

0

Design trends for 2022 and 2023

0

Product Review: Handsaws

Popular Guides

Average floor tiling costs

What BBQ should I buy?

Average gas cooker installation cost

Average dishwasher installation cost

Popular Projects

How to clean a barbeque (BBQ) grill

Laying floorboards onto joists

Creating a garden path

Replacing a balustrade

DIY Categories
Bathroom
Building, brickwork and masonry
Ceilings
Cleaning
Concrete work
Damp, rot and infestation
Drains
Electrical
Fireplaces
Floors
Garden
Heating
Insulation
Kitchen
Lighting
Lofts
Painting and decorating
Plasterwork
Plumbing
Roof and guttering
Safety
Security
Tiling
Walls
Windows
Woodwork

Self Build Guide
How to find a building plot
Evaluating a building plot (2023)
How to get a self build mortgage
Self build construction options
Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
Self build planning permission and legal consents
© 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT