In the Media

House Lifting Services: The Ideal Solution to Foundation and Flooding Problems

At Wolfe House & Building Movers, we have seen firsthand how house lifting services can give homeowners a practical way to deal with two serious property problems: failing foundations and recurring flooding. In Massachusetts and Connecticut, these issues can be especially difficult because repairing the visible damage is not always enough. When the foundation itself is no longer dependable, or when a home sits in an area vulnerable to flooding, we may need to raise the structure so contractors can address the problem underneath it.

For us, the goal is not simply to put a house in the air. We lift buildings so they can be repaired, preserved, and returned to a safer and more stable foundation.

When the Foundation Beneath Your Home Fails

A foundation problem can start quietly. Homeowners may notice cracks in walls, floors that are no longer level, sticking doors, or gaps around windows. Sometimes the exterior of the house gives little indication that something serious is happening below.

When the foundation is settling, deteriorating, or made with defective materials, however, cosmetic repairs may only provide a temporary answer. Eventually, the foundation may need to be removed and replaced entirely. That creates an obvious challenge: the house is sitting directly on the foundation that needs to come out.

We can raise the structure high enough for the foundation contractor to excavate, remove the damaged material, and construct a replacement. While the work takes place underneath, we keep the building supported using a carefully planned system of steel beams, hydraulic jacks, cribbing, and temporary supports.

We have handled projects in Connecticut involving buildings affected by failing concrete foundations. In Vernon, Connecticut, for example, we lifted two condominium buildings so their foundations could be replaced. One building measured approximately 38 by 152 feet, while the other measured about 54 by 148 feet. Both were raised roughly seven feet and supported while the original foundations were removed and new ones were constructed.

Projects like these demonstrate that lifting a building is not a one-size-fits-all operation. Before we ever begin raising a structure, we need to understand exactly how it was built and where its weight is carried.

Flooding Can Make Elevation Necessary

A deteriorating foundation is not the only reason we lift buildings. Flooding is another major concern for homeowners, particularly those living near rivers, coastal areas, lakes, or communities where heavy storms can overwhelm drainage systems.

A house that repeatedly takes on water can suffer damage long after the water disappears. Flooring, drywall, insulation, electrical systems, framing, and mechanical equipment may all be affected. Moisture can also create conditions for mold and rot. After experiencing repeated flooding, homeowners sometimes reach a point where rebuilding the same damaged areas no longer makes sense. Raising the home can offer a different solution.

Rather than continually trying to keep water away from the structure at its existing elevation, we can raise the building so that the living areas sit higher above potential flood levels. The required elevation depends on the property, local regulations, flood maps, engineering requirements, and the applicable base flood elevation.

We have seen this approach make a meaningful difference for homeowners. After Hurricane Sandy, for instance, a homeowner in Norwalk, Connecticut, decided to raise the house to reduce the risk of future flooding. We lifted the house, garage, and brick fireplaces approximately five feet. The structure remained supported while the foundation was built up to meet the new height of the house. Once the foundation work was completed, the building was secured to its new support system.

For a homeowner who has already experienced storm damage, that can represent more than a construction project. It can provide greater confidence that the next major storm will not produce the same level of damage.

What is Involved with House Lifting Services?

One of the biggest misconceptions about lifting a building is that we simply place some jacks underneath it and start pumping. The reality is much more involved. Before a lift, we work with engineers and contractors to understand the structure. We need to know where the major loads are located, how the framing works, what type of foundation supports the house, and whether additions or unusual features could affect the lift.

Older homes require particular attention. A historic property may contain masonry fireplaces, chimneys, unusual framing, porches, additions, or materials that behave differently from those found in newer construction. We also identify features that may need temporary reinforcement or protection. A masonry chimney, for example, can require additional support while the building moves. Decorative trim, doors, and other delicate components may also need to be protected or removed before work begins.

Once the engineering and preparation are complete, we position steel beams beneath designated structural points. Hydraulic jacks are then installed at carefully determined locations. The lifting itself is performed gradually and in a coordinated manner. We do not want one portion of a house racing upward while another remains behind. Keeping the structure moving evenly helps reduce unnecessary stress on the building.

Supporting the Home While the New Foundation Is Built

Once we have raised the structure, temporary cribbing provides support while the foundation contractor works below.

This stage can involve excavation, demolition of the old foundation, removal of damaged concrete, preparation of the site, and construction of the new foundation. The replacement is designed according to the property’s engineering requirements and the loads imposed by the particular structure.

For us, communication with the foundation contractor is essential. We need to know what work is taking place beneath the building and when certain portions of the new foundation are ready to receive the structure.

The new foundation may include reinforced concrete, footings, steel reinforcement, foundation walls, or other engineered components. Its design depends on the building and site rather than a generic formula. When the foundation is ready, we carefully lower the house into its new position. The process then moves toward permanently securing the structure to the replacement foundation.

Why Professional Experience Makes a Difference

Every building presents different challenges. A relatively straightforward house can be very different from an older property with additions, masonry features, uneven framing, or decades of modifications. Our job includes working alongside engineers, contractors, and property owners to develop a plan that accounts for the building’s construction and the work that needs to happen beneath it.

We understand that homeowners are often concerned about cracking plaster, windows, doors, chimneys, and other vulnerable parts of their homes. While movement always carries potential risks, careful engineering, preparation, synchronized lifting, and proper temporary support can help control those risks.

We also understand why homeowners choose to preserve an existing house. A property may have architectural character that cannot easily be recreated. It may have been in the family for generations, occupy an irreplaceable location, or simply be a home the owners do not want to lose.

A Way to Preserve the Home You Already Have

For homeowners and contractors in Massachusetts and Connecticut facing foundation deterioration or flood exposure, house lifting services can provide an alternative to tearing down an otherwise usable structure.

We can raise the building, give contractors access to the area underneath, provide temporary support during foundation replacement, and help return the home to a properly engineered foundation. For flood-prone properties, elevation can also provide an opportunity to move the living space farther from the reach of future floodwaters, subject to local requirements and engineering considerations.

We believe the best solution is not always to start over. Sometimes, the house itself is worth saving. When the foundation has failed or the property’s elevation has become a serious concern, house lifting can give homeowners and contractors the opportunity to address the problem at its source while preserving the structure above it. Contact Wolfe House & Building Movers for house lifting services!