Is It Possible To Replace A Foundation Without Lifting Your House? (2024)

FAQs

Is It Possible To Replace A Foundation Without Lifting Your House? ›

Yes, it is possible to replace a foundation without lifting your house. But, we recommend calling a professional foundation mover to do the work. The process can be dangerous because it involves replacing your foundation sections at a time.

Not only is it possible, but it's probably more common than you might think. This process happens out of sight and often on back roads that you might not travel. Companies that specialize in constructing a new foundation under an existing house are house movers.

These problems generally have two causes: poor construction quality, and homes built on poorly compacted fill soils. While there are some extreme cases where a foundation just can't be fixed, we recommend repairing the foundation whenever possible.

One of the most effective ways of fixing a collapsing foundation is called piering, which is when a system of vertical anchors is installed underneath the foundation so that it's weight is supported by bedrock or soils that are deeper and more stable than those near the surface.

One of the most important factors in determining whether foundation replacement is necessary is the extent of the damage. If the damage is extensive, replacement is often the best option. Another factor that can impact whether foundation replacement is the best choice is the age of the foundation.

For Large Issues

The homeowner will probably have to fix these issues before selling the home. Luckily, many of these foundation problems are repairable through processes like slab jacking (injecting material under the slab to lift it in place), standard brick or block replacement, or pouring new footings.

Foundation issues don't spring up overnight. In fact, the crack you are seeing has most likely been growing for a while. It can take years to develop a serious foundational issue that would cause your home to collapse. In most cases, if it does, it's concentrated on a specific area of the home.

The average cost for sinking foundation repair ranges from $500 to $3,000. Leak repairs can cost as little as $2,000 or as much as $7,000 depending on severity.

Sinking foundation ($1,000–$25,000): A sinking foundation also requires extensive repairs to address poor soil, insufficient drainage, damage to the house, and an unstable foundation. This type of foundation repair is usually the most expensive.

How many years does house foundation last? ›

A foundation can maintain its integrity through timely repairs, soil compaction, and protection. For the average home, foundation should last about 80-100 years before needing to be replaced. But not repairing your foundation will make that number of years a lot smaller for your home.

Although it can depend on where you live and the construction quality of your home, it's likely that older houses can develop foundation problems at some point.

Total foundation replacement is extremely disruptive and very costly. Here's what's involved: The soil around your entire home is excavated. The entire structure is jacked up.

While you're home isn't likely to collapse, that doesn't mean you should try to live with a foundation problem. An unrepaired foundation problem will get worse over time and could lead to unexpected and dangerous situations. For example, foundation problems can prevent doors and windows from opening.

Look for cracks in walls or exterior brick, uneven floors, bulging walls, and gaps around windows. Water seepage in the basem*nt may also indicate a problem. Adequate drainage is crucial. Ensure that water flows away from the house foundation.

If ignored, foundation problems lead to severe structural damage. As the foundation shifts or cracks, your walls start to crack, floors become uneven, and doors and windows stop functioning correctly. Your entire home becomes out of alignment. And over time, this can compromise the stability and safety of your home.

It is possible to lift an entire house, or a section of a house, that is built on a slab floor.

Most foundation issues can be repaired, but there are instances where it's better to withdraw your offer and keep searching.

Moisture. As mentioned earlier, foundation issues don't necessarily render a home unsafe for its occupants. But they do make the home highly vulnerable to problems, like mold or pests, that moisture causes or worsens. Look for signs of water or water damage in crawl spaces and basem*nts.