If you do not have a plumber's rule, how can you measure travel using a standard tape measure?

The correct method for measuring travel without a plumber's rule involves understanding the relationship between the vertical rise and the horizontal run in a right triangle formed during the plumbing installation. Specifically, when dealing with a slope or a rise over a distance, the hypotenuse of that triangle can be found using the Pythagorean theorem.

When you measure the horizontal distance (run) of a slope, you need to convert that measurement into the actual distance you would travel along the slope. The factor of 1.414 comes from the square root of 2, which is applicable in this context when you are accounting for both the vertical and horizontal components of the travel distance in a right triangle. Thus, multiplying the perpendicular horizontal distance by this factor will yield the actual length required along the slope.

This approach is crucial, especially in plumbing where accurate measurements ensure proper drainage and alignment. Using this factor of 1.414 allows for an accurate calculation of the diagonal distance, which is essential for safe and effective installation.