mikeHVAC

Im hoping someone out there has been down the road Im on right now, I could use some advise. I jacked up my house 27 inches. I replaced a block wall and I increased the basement height from 6'-7" to almost 9 feet. In the process of lifting the house shifted 4 inches out of square. How do I get it back?? I dont want to damage all the work I just finished.

mudmixer

Hire a profesional to straighten out the house and set it accurately.

Are you sure your new walls are adequate for the new, increased height? A professional may not touch it because of the wall height and non-compliance with either codes or accepted standards.

Do you have adequate anchor bolts installed before you get it set?

Daryl in Nanoose

This may be a real dumb question but are you sure its the house thats out of square?

__________________
[url]http://edhome.shawwebspace.ca/[/url]

mikeHVAC

I increased the block size from 8 inch to 12 inch. Filled solid, durawall, with straps ready to go. The house is 3/4 of an inch above its foundation right now. The house is level and the foundation is level. I believe the house slipped out of square as it was raised, because my buddy didnt want to wait for more guys and jack up all 11 point loads at the same time. By the time I got home it was to late. So right now I am looking into using a 20,000 lb winch and an excavator to shift the house back. One corner of the house is correct, I thought it would be a point to pivot on. Any Ideas??

mudmixer

It is obvious you do not have a permit or the inspector was incompetent. Increasing the block size from 8" to 12" did nothing for the wall strength where it was needed.

The main purpose of the wall is to retain the soil outside the basement. Making the wall higher made it weaker for horizontal soil loads. If there was no soil, you could probably support the house with 6" block (that is what they use for 15 to 20 story apartment buildings).

You might want to have a professional look at the job and offer suggestions or "bless" it in case you want to sell it in the future.

glennjanie

Hello Mike:
I have raised a couple of houses; very touchy, scarry business. You may consider grounding the one corner that is square and then tie a cable across from corner to corner (the longest measurement), put a come along or steam boat buckle in the line and pull it back in square. When the corner opposite the grounded corner is over the foundation you can let it down and then the rest of the house. Please procede with caution and post back to let us know how it turned out. Maybe even some pictures.
Glenn

mikeHVAC

The 12 inch was for one wall and it was increased for lateral load. The hydrostatic pressure is minimal. I have a permit, and I am not the only person with a 9' basement. But thanks for not answering my question.

mikeHVAC

Thanks for the advise Glenn.

wienerwater

.......gave me a good chuckle this moring....anyway, I agree with Glen, I would get the straight/square side down and use whatever method is best to push/pull the other side to square and drop it down.Depending on access and a keen operator, a person can lean a large old tire against the one corner (if allowable without damaging exterior) and give it a small nudge with a Cat and hold it in place until you can drop the side down.Come along method is great and practical, just depending on your time and what is best for ones application. Let us know how it goes and good luck!

mudmixer

Mike -

Thank you for acknowledging my attempt to help you.

You may not be the only person with a 9' high wall, but I would imagine there are few like yours (8"&12" backwards).

I hope the wall withstands what you are trying to do and in the future. Don't forget the anchor bolts and required reinforcement for the added height that the inspector approved even though it is not based on hydrostatic pressure. - It is a function of soil pressure, lateral support and wall height.

Good luck on the project and future efforts to sell.