Foundation repairs sometimes require raising the building. This creates a work space for the foundation repairs, and also allows the home to be permanently raised by building a higher foundation before lowering the home. The process involves multiple pieces of heavy equipment and large steel or wood beams. The task is commonly contracted to licensed builders with experience in the field. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Disconnect the home from all utilities. This includes water and sewer pipes and electrical service. Any utility structure that connects the house to the ground needs to be disconnected.
2. Remove any nuts on the anchor bolts between the foundation and the home. Check for any other structures that connect the house to the foundation.
3. Place steel or heavy wood beams under the floor joists of the home. This often involves creating holes through the foundation walls. Place the steel beams perpendicular to the floor joists. Place a beam about every 10 to 20 feet depending on the width of the house.
4. Set a hydraulic jack under the end of each beam. Raise the jacks so the beam is tight against the floor joists.
5. Raise the jacks all at the same time. This requires a little teamwork. Raise the house about an inch and check the beams to make sure everything is in place and the house is not slipping.
6. Pile blocks of wood beams under the end of each beam. Lower the jacks to allow the beams to rest on the blocks. Place additional blocks under the jack and continue to raise the house as needed.
Tags: floor joists, wood beams, beams under, each beam, Place steel, Raise jacks, under each