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>
> Hello,
> How do you lift (or can it be done) the corners of a small, utility building,
> to place cinder blocks under it? Is it something a homeowner can do? Is it
> dangerous? Is it expensive? How would it effect the level of the building,
> or how could you keep it level? Should you place the blocks only on the corners,
> or should they be placed everywhere - where? If i get someone to do it, how
> much should it cost?
>

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>Harry wrote:
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>
>Depends on what it's made of and how as well, of course, as to how small
>is small...I lifted a 10x14 frame shop building w/ a couple 6T jacks
>and odds and ends of blocking, etc. Piece 'o cake for something that
>small. The number and placement of blocks depends on what there is to
>set it on--you need enough to provide sufficient support for it to not
>settle excessively. The shop I mentioned above has a 2x6 sill plate w/
>a 2x6 edger nailed to it in an 'L' which adds significant rigidity. It
>sits on blocks at the corners and the middle on each side and has been
>there for 80 years or so. Leveling is either by trial and error from a
>starting point or, more exactly lay out a level string line first and
>use it...
>
>The barn lift to replace a rotted sill plate, otoh, was a lot more
>effort.. Same basic process, just more and bigger toolset. It's
>38x66 w/ top ridge at 40ft. Used two jacks and 4x6 under the loft
>joists to raise it in roughly 12-14 ft sections, then blocked them and
>moved down. Ended up high enough to replace half of the length sill and
>in another effort the whole west end.
>
>OBTW, this was one hired hand and myself...took about two weeks for the
>basic sill replacement work. I did the small shop all myself in about
>three, replacing all the sill plates as over the years dirt had blown up
>around it and rotted them out...
>
>I don't think I have any pictures of the shop lifted, but do of the barn
>if interested.
>
>

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> Yes, i would certainly like and need to see your pictures.

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> Another question: how did you get the blocks to the center of the littl bldg?

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> That is about the size of my bldg. My bldg. is about 5 yrs or so old, so
> would you think there would be any deterioration - i donot. I donot think
> any of it is on the actual ground (sand) so far; hopefully i willhave gotten
> it in time. I think the floor is just 2x4's with plywood. I donot know what
> are "sill plates", "2x6 edger", nor a "'L'". Do i deed to?

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> Another question or so: which way do you lay the blocks: hole side up or
> what?

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> lift the bldg. without considering the tie-downs. In other words: lift until
> i feel the stress on the tie downs, then install the blocks, and if necesary
> use half-blocks, hole-side up and shims - sounds good to me, but is it?

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>

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>Duane Bozarth wrote:
>....a treatise on how I raised a small building and replaced sill plate
>in the barn...
>
>For a small building such as you have w/ a solid floor, it may be just
>as easy or even easier to simply get a long lever such as a 4x4 and a
>fulcrum and get somebody else to set the blocks under it as you lift
>under the sill plate...
>
>

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>
> Duane Bozarth <dpbozarth@swko.dot.net> wrote:
> Hi,
> That does sound as a good idea and worth trying first.
> How do i get the blocks to the center area? In other words does the center
> part of the floor need support also? Is placing the blocks under the corners
> enough?

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>
> Harry wrote:
>
> That depends on what the floor joists are, obviously. I didn't have the
> problem since there's no fixed floor in the shop...
>
> Guess if it's too flimsy you'd have to either do a combination dig/lift
> to get there or lift enough to set some stiff-enough joists across your
> blocks.