How to Lift a House

Lifting a house requires skill and having all of the right tools, equipment and manpower necessary. One of the major challenges in lifting any house is to keep it perfectly level at all times in order to avoid unnecessary stress on the structure which could result in cracks or even worse. This may require the combined efforts of at least four people working in tandem.

Things You'll Need

• 2 I-beams
• 4 house jacks
• Several dozen 4-foot-long oak 4 x 4s
• 200 to 400 pounds of cement

Instructions

1. Pour concrete pads approximately 4 feet in from each corner of the house. Pads should be large enough for the house jacks to sit on and at least 1.5 inches thick. It may be easier to remove flooring above the pad locations for ease of access to the pads. Allow to dry for at least 48 hours, depending on temperature and humidity.

2. Disconnect all electrical, water and gas to the structure.

3. Place house jacks on pads. With jacks lowered set I-beams on top of jacks so the I-beams run the length of the house. Move any water or gas pipes or electrical wiring that will be crushed when the I-beams are raised.

4. Break any stucco or other connections between the house and the foundation.

5. Raise all four jacks slowly and evenly. This may require four people, one person raising each jack. When the house has been lifted no more than 18 inches stack the oak 4 x 4s under floor beams in a crisscross pattern to support the structure if the jacks should fail or when they are removed.

6. Continue raising the house to the desired height, adding a new oak 4 X 4 to the criss-crossed stack each time the house is raised an additional 4 inches.

Tips & Warnings

• Work slowly and maintain safety precautions at all times. Work as a team. Keep lines of communication clear.

• Make certain that your house jacks are rated for the proper tonnage required to lift your structure.