To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

jack up a bldg

brownbagg

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Messages
5,208
how would you jack up a metal bldg about three feet, no in not saying, call some house mover. i asking, what technique would you use to jack a bldg, and no the car lift out of question.

i need like ten rail road jacks
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

gnpenning

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Messages
2,754
Location
I have more questions than answers.
Securely attach some support beams down low and at the height that works for whatever jacks you have.

Cross brace all walls, depending on door and window openings you may need to add more.

Size of building and type, along with type of jacks will determine type of support needed.

Go slow and raise it as even as possible with a spotter standing back to watch out for anything bad before it happens.

Don't forget cribbing as you go. Besides you may have to reset jacks to get your height.
 

dave_dj1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2018
Messages
222
Location
Jackson, NY
Just like this :)

but seriously, brace it so the sides can't move in or out, jack one side a bit then the other then back and so on, cribbing up everything as you go. If you can, get some long enough I beams to go from one side to the other.
How big is it? If it's not too big I would think 4 jacks would do it.
 

kbs2244

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
14,065
Overhead wires??
Underground electric or water?
Pick a calm day.
 

James-W

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
12,432
Location
Southeastern Wisconsin
What are you planning on doing to the building once you get it raised up? Are you planning on making the building taller? Are you planning to move the building somewhere else?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,159
Location
Minneapolis
I imagine you'd do it like any other building - install cross bracing to hold the walls in place, then gradually lift it up while placing cribbing underneath. It will require a bunch of jacks so you can lift it up evenly. Figure out the approximate weight of the building, then divide by the number of jacks being used to determine the weight lifting requirements for each jack.
 

EVOLVO

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
349
Location
Port Hadlock, Wa
Just like this :)

but seriously, brace it so the sides can't move in or out, jack one side a bit then the other then back and so on, cribbing up everything as you go. If you can, get some long enough I beams, tofrom one side to the other.
How big is it? If it's not too big I would think 4 jacks would do it.

I actually did something like that. I had a 1940 Diamond T flatbed that I had built a house on, 7' W X 12' L X 10' T to the peak. It had a sleeping loft over the cab, too. I sold the house to a woman for her undeveloped property. Me and a buddy built a platform and backed the Diamond T up to it. The woman, who worked in a bar, got about forty friends to come move it. Since the cross beams where wider than the frame rails everyone could just pick up around the perimiter. It went very well and no fingers where lost!
 

TractorJeff

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
3,309
Location
Elkhorn, WI
Do a SEARCH on here! In the past year at least two garages have been lifted using similar techniques! They even outlined the size of jacks used!
 

Rbreddin

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 16, 2012
Messages
73
Location
Alpharetta, GA
metal buildings are generally just a few very strong frames with much weaker membrane walls and roof.

it's a bad idea to take that type of system loose of it's anchor and start "moving it".. even a

but if you do end up lifting the building, get it on video.. youtube is waiting for people to do that kind of thing..
 
Last edited:

flat tire

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2015
Messages
2,916
Location
hills of wv.
have a beer party and invite ALL your neighbors, friends and family. after they are half drunk, say bet you cant lift that building and hold it for 5 minutes
 

kbs2244

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
14,065
Rbreddin is correct in that this kind of building is built to min allowable spec.
So, you have to be careful.
"X" brace at all points.
Just go slow, and use your head.

The weight is not all that much
(They get delivered on one semi)
It is the size.
But it is an empty box.
Your biggest concern is a windy day.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom