Replacing the foundation of a garage is an important step in ensuring that your building is stable and secure. By jacking up the garage, you can access the foundation area and make repairs or replacements without tearing down the entire structure. Jacking up a garage requires careful planning and preparation, so it’s important to take the time to ensure that your garage is properly jacked up before beginning any foundation replacement project.
The main advantage of jacking up your garage to replace the foundation is that it can prevent costly damage to the structure and underlying soils. Replacing a failing or damaged foundation can help protect against future water and structural damage and improve your home’s overall appearance and stability.
Additionally, replacing a foundation often requires less time, materials, and labor than repairing a damaged one, resulting in lower costs overall. In this blog post, You will learn in detail how to jack up a garage to replace foundation.
Step by Step Processes for How to Jack Up a Garage to Replace Foundation
Step 1: Inspect Your Garage
Before you start, examine the entire area to ensure it is safe and secure. Check for any signs of structural damage or other potential issues that may be present before continuing with your work. Gather all the tools and materials you will need for the job. Ensure you have enough jacks, support beams, and other equipment to jack up the garage safely.
Step 2: Place Jacks at Strategic Locations
Test each jack for stability and functionality before placing it under the garage. Make sure that your jacks are placed in strategic locations so that you can securely lift the entire structure without causing any damage to its framework.
Step 3: Begin Lifting the Garage
Once your jacks are in place, begin to slowly and carefully lift the garage. As you do so, add additional support beams as needed to ensure that no damage is done in the process. As you continue lifting the garage, ensure it is balanced and secure. If it is not, adjust the jacks or support beams as needed to ensure that no damage is done during the process.
Step 4: Remove Existing Foundation
Once your garage has been lifted high enough, you can begin to remove the existing foundation. Be sure to use caution and safety when doing so as there may be sharp objects present that could cause injury. Once the old foundation has been removed, you can begin to install the new one.
Step 5: Lower Garage Onto New Foundation
Once your framework is in place, you can begin to lower the garage onto its new foundation. Ensure it is in line and balanced before continuing with the next step. Use additional jacks and support beams to ensure that your garage is secure once it has been lowered onto the new foundation. Test for balance one last time before continuing with the process.
Step 6: Clean Up & Dispose of Waste
After you have completed the job, take a few moments to clean up and dispose of any waste materials that may have been created during your work. This will help ensure that your garage remains safe and secure in the future.
Tips for How to Jack Up a Garage to Replace Foundation
- Always wear protective gear, including safety glasses, gloves, and a hard hat, when jacking up a garage to replace the foundation.
- Make sure the ground is level before attempting to jack up the garage. Uneven ground can cause instability and make it harder for the jack to lift the structure correctly.
- Use appropriate jacks for the job. Don’t try to use a standard car jack, as these are not meant to lift heavy loads and can fail quickly.
- Inspect the garage structure before jacking it up. Look for any signs of structural damage or weak points that may give way when lifting the building.
- Place cribbing under the jacks to help distribute the weight evenly and prevent the structure from tipping over. Always double-check that enough cribbing supports the jacks before attempting to lift them. By following these safety tips, you can ensure a successful replacement foundation in your garage while keeping yourself safe in the process.
How Often Should You Check the Jacks During the Jacking-Up Process?
Once the garage has been jacked up and supported, it is important to check the jacks periodically during the foundation replacement process. While jacking, ensure that all the jacks are supporting a load evenly. Monitor each jack for signs of movement or shifting and make sure that no one jack is taking on more weight than any other.
Make sure to check the jacks at least every few hours while working on the foundation. If any jacks move more than a fraction of an inch, then it is necessary to stop what you are doing and re-adjust or reposition all of the jacks to ensure that they provide proper support for your garage.
It is also important to check the jacks after you have finished your work before lowering the garage. This will help ensure that an unstable foundation does not undo all your hard work.
How Much Space Do You Need Between Each Jack When Raising a Garage?
When you are jacking up a garage to replace the foundation, you must space each jack out evenly. This will help ensure that your garage is raised evenly and avoid any uneven settling of the structure. As a general rule, leaving about two feet of clearance between each jack is recommended. Make sure to measure and mark the spots on the slab where you plan to place your jacks, so they are evenly spaced out.
In addition, make sure that your jacks are placed as far away from any load-bearing walls in your garage as possible. This will help ensure that the structure can be raised safely and without causing any damage. When you begin to jack up the garage, make sure to raise it inch by inch and check for evenness at each stage.
This will give you an indication of whether or not the jacks are spaced correctly and if your garage is being raised evenly. If there are any discrepancies, adjust the jacks as necessary and ensure that your garage is evenly raised.
How Long Should It Take to Jack Up a Garage and Replace Its Foundation?
Jacking up a garage and replacing its foundation can be time-consuming, but it depends on the garage’s size and the extent of the repair or replacement needed. If you only make minor repairs to existing foundations, such as fixing cracks or leveling out uneven surfaces, then jacking up a single-car garage should take between 4 and 6 hours. However, if a full foundation replacement is needed, the process can take considerably longer—sometimes up to several days.
To jack up a garage and replace its foundation, it’s best to enlist the help of professional contractors who have experience in this area and access to specialized equipment. They will be able to calculate the amount of jacking needed and construct a new foundation that will support the weight of the garage and any other structures above it. The process begins by installing hydraulic jacks on either side of the existing foundation slab.
You Can Check It Out To Fix Sinking Foundation
How Should You Prepare Yourself and Your Workspace Before Beginning to Jack Up a Garage?
Before beginning the process of jacking up a garage to replace its foundation, it is essential to prepare yourself and your workspace. Preparation will help ensure safety during the process and make it easier for you to complete the job.
To begin prepping the workspace, ensure that all objects near the work area are free of debris and clutter. This will help ensure that the workspace is clear of any potential hazards. It is also important to check for any utility lines which may be present in the ground, as these should not be disturbed during the jacking process. Next, create a framework around the garage that can support it as you jack it up; this can be done with either metal poles or wooden beams.
Once your workspace is prepared, the next step is to prepare yourself for the job. Make sure to wear gloves and protective eyewear to protect yourself from any debris which may fly during the jacking process. Additionally, it is important to adhere to safety protocols when working with heavy equipment, such as keeping your hands and feet away from the jacks in case of malfunctions. Finally, it is recommended to have a friend or family member present during the jacking process to help with any additional support you may need.
Conclusion
One of the main disadvantages of jacking up a garage to replace the foundation is that it can be difficult and potentially dangerous. The main risk associated with this process is that the structure may collapse or be damaged if not done properly.
Additionally, jack stands must be placed in proper locations and able to support the structure’s weight, or else the structure may move and cause further damage. Furthermore, if jacks are not attached properly to each other, they can slip and lose their grip on the garage, potentially leading to an accident.
Now that we’ve covered how to jack up a garage to replace its foundation, you are well on your way to tackling this project. Be sure to take the necessary safety precautions and gather all the tools you will need before starting the job.
Make sure to use jacks that can handle the weight of your garage and additional support beams to help disperse the load. I hope reading this post has helped you learn how to jack up a garage to replace foundation. Make sure the safety precautions are carried out in the order listed.