Living in Louisiana means being no stranger to flooding. Whether it’s from a slow-moving tropical storm, a sudden afternoon downpour, or a river that’s had a little too much to drink, water has a way of finding its way into places it doesn’t belong. That’s why foundation work in this region is about more than fixing cracks—it’s about protecting homes from future damage and making sure structures are built to withstand the climate.
When it comes to protecting a home in a flood-prone area, two of the most talked-about solutions are house raising and shoring. These are not interchangeable methods. Each serves a distinct purpose and is designed for specific structural and environmental conditions. Understanding the difference is key to choosing the right approach—and avoiding costly mistakes.
What Is House Raising?
House raising is exactly what it sounds like: lifting the entire home off its existing foundation and placing it on a new, elevated support system. This is usually done using hydraulic jacks and cribbing to temporarily hold the house up while a new foundation—often piers, columns, or pilings—is built beneath it.
In flood zones like AE or VE, where FEMA elevation requirements apply, house raising is often a requirement. Structures below base flood elevation (BFE) are more vulnerable to repeat flooding and are likely to face high insurance premiums. Raising the house above BFE offers protection from future floods and can significantly reduce long-term costs.
This method is especially relevant for homes that have already experienced substantial flood damage or are undergoing major renovations that trigger compliance with updated elevation requirements. It’s also a forward-looking investment in areas where flood risk continues to rise year after year.
What Is Shoring?
Shoring is a different type of structural support. Rather than lifting the entire house, shoring involves reinforcing or correcting the existing foundation. This process is used to address settlement, tilting, sagging, or instability in a home’s structure. Hydraulic jacks may still be used, but only to lift and level specific sections of the structure, not to elevate it above flood level.
Shoring typically involves driving new piers or pilings into more stable soil beneath the house and using those new supports to transfer the load away from the failing areas. It’s a common solution in this region, where water-saturated soil can shift, expand, and contract over time—causing uneven settling.
Unlike house raising, shoring does not change the height of the home relative to ground level. It simply reinforces or realigns the structure to ensure safety, stability, and proper function.
Choosing the Right Approach
So how do you know whether a property needs to be raised or shored?
The answer starts with an assessment of the home’s condition and location. If the structure is already experiencing foundation failure—cracks in the walls, sloping floors, doors that won’t shut properly—shoring may be the first step to restore stability. However, if the home sits below flood elevation or has experienced flood damage, house raising might be necessary to bring it into compliance with local codes and FEMA guidelines.
In some cases, a hybrid solution may be required. For example, a home with both foundation settlement and flood exposure may need to be stabilized through shoring before being raised. This ensures that when the home is lifted, it is structurally sound and can be supported properly throughout the process.
Regulatory Considerations
Flood-prone areas are subject to strict building regulations, particularly when dealing with substantial improvements or repairs after storm events. Many municipalities require that homes be brought into compliance with current elevation standards if more than 50% of the home’s value is being altered or repaired.
That means even if a home hasn’t flooded recently, the simple act of remodeling a kitchen or replacing a roof can trigger elevation requirements if the property is located in a flood zone. Homeowners who overlook this detail often end up stuck mid-project, unable to proceed without significant foundation modifications.
House raising becomes a code compliance issue in these situations. Shoring, while necessary for structural support, may not be enough to meet updated building standards related to floodplain management.
The Long-Term Value
Shoring is often less invasive and less costly than house raising, but it doesn’t reduce flood risk. House raising, on the other hand, provides protection from future water damage, can reduce flood insurance costs, and helps preserve the home’s long-term value in coastal markets.
Choosing the right solution comes down to a mix of factors: the home’s current condition, flood zone designation, insurance premiums, municipal codes, and the homeowner’s long-term goals. Both techniques are powerful tools in the hands of experienced contractors, but each must be applied in the right context to be effective.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to foundation protection in Southeast Louisiana. Every home is different, every lot is unique, and every flood zone has its own set of requirements. What matters most is a clear understanding of the options and working with professionals who can evaluate the structure, soil, elevation, and risk profile.
At E.C.O. Builders, the focus has always been on protecting structures through smart, site-specific solutions that account for both present needs and future challenges. Whether that means lifting a house out of harm’s way or reinforcing its foundation from below, the right solution is the one that keeps the home safe, compliant, and stable for years to come.
