Lifting and Stabilizing Settled Structures
When a foundation settles, shifts, or fails, it creates serious structural problems. Doors won’t close, floors slope, cracks appear in walls, and the integrity of the entire building is compromised. Herbert Excavating provides house jacking and foundation restoration services in Pennsylvania to address settling foundations, structural lifting, and foundation stabilization.
If your home or building has foundation issues, we can assess the problem and provide lifting and stabilization services to prevent further damage.
What We Do
House Jacking & Structural Lifting
We use hydraulic jacks and support systems to lift structures that have settled or sunk. This allows for foundation repair, leveling, or replacement of damaged components.
Foundation Stabilization
We reinforce and stabilize foundations that are shifting, cracking, or compromised by soil movement or water damage.
Underpinning
For foundations that need additional support, we excavate beneath existing footings and install deeper support structures to prevent further settling.
Sill & Beam Replacement
If the foundation sill or support beams are rotted or damaged, we lift the structure to replace those components and restore structural integrity.
Foundation Repair Excavation
We excavate around foundations to expose damaged areas for repair, waterproofing, or reinforcement.
Common Foundation Problems We Address
Settling & Sinking
Foundations settle when the soil beneath them shifts, compacts, or washes away. This causes uneven floors, cracked walls, and structural instability.
Cracked or Failing Foundations
Cracks in concrete or block foundations allow water intrusion, reduce structural strength, and worsen over time if not addressed.
Rotted Sills or Support Beams
Wooden sills and beams deteriorate due to moisture, pests, or age, causing the structure to sag or become unstable.
Frost Heave
In Pennsylvania, freezing and thawing cycles can lift foundations out of place, creating cracks and structural damage.
Soil Erosion Under Foundations
Water flow or poor drainage can wash away soil beneath foundations, creating voids and causing settling.
Why Foundation Problems Need Immediate Attention
Foundation issues don’t fix themselves—they get worse. A small crack becomes a large crack. A slight slope becomes a major structural problem. Ignoring foundation damage leads to more expensive repairs, reduced property value, and potential safety hazards.
Addressing foundation problems early saves money and prevents the kind of damage that makes a building uninhabitable. If you’re seeing signs of foundation issues, the time to act is now.
Our Approach
1. Assessment
We inspect the foundation to understand what’s causing the problem, whether it’s soil movement, water damage, structural failure, or something else.
2. Stabilization Plan
We develop a plan to lift, level, or reinforce the structure. This might involve jacking, underpinning, excavation, or beam replacement.
3. Lifting & Support
We use hydraulic jacks and temporary support systems to carefully lift the structure to its correct level.
4. Foundation Repair or Reinforcement
Once the structure is lifted, we make the necessary repairs—whether that’s replacing sills, pouring new footings, or reinforcing existing foundations.
5. Final Stabilization
We ensure the structure is stable, level, and supported correctly before removing jacks and restoring the surrounding area.
The Work That Surrounds Foundation Restoration
Foundation restoration doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Once the lifting and repair work is done, there’s almost always excavation, drainage, or grading work that needs to follow — and sometimes it reveals other needs on the same property.
Backfill, compaction, and regrading after the foundation work wraps up are all part of what we do through our Excavation & Site Work Services. Restoring the ground around a repaired foundation, re-establishing proper slope away from the structure, and leaving the site in good condition after the project is the same earthmoving work we do on every construction site — just applied to an existing building.
Water is one of the most common root causes of foundation problems in northeastern Pennsylvania. Soil that stays saturated creates constant pressure on foundation walls and footings, and freeze-thaw cycles in wet soil accelerate the damage. Once the foundation is repaired, addressing the drainage is one of the most important things you can do to protect it going forward. Our Stormwater & Drainage Solutions handle that — regrading, installing French drains, and directing water away from the structure so the same problem doesn’t develop again.
If utility lines run near the foundation and were disturbed or need to be relocated as part of the restoration project, our Utility Trenching Services handle the trench work so you’re not coordinating a separate contractor while the foundation repair is still underway.
On properties where settling has also affected a retaining wall or caused driveway damage near the structure, those repairs can be folded into the same project scope. Our Driveway & Retaining Wall Services cover slope stabilization and wall reconstruction — work that often traces back to the same underlying soil or drainage problem that caused the foundation to fail in the first place.
Service Areas
We provide foundation restoration and house jacking services in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Kingsley, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my foundation is failing?
Common signs include cracks in walls or ceilings, doors or windows that stick or won’t close, uneven or sloping floors, gaps between walls and floors, and visible cracks in the foundation itself. If you’re noticing any of these, it’s worth having the foundation inspected.
Can you lift a house that’s already settled?
Yes. We use hydraulic jacks to carefully lift the structure back to its proper level. Once lifted, we make the necessary foundation repairs to prevent further settling.
How long does house jacking take?
It depends on the size of the structure and the extent of the problem. Lifting and stabilizing a small house might take a few days, while larger buildings or more complex issues can take longer.
Will lifting my house damage it?
Not if it’s done correctly. We lift slowly and carefully, using support beams and jacks positioned to distribute the load evenly. The goal is to stabilize the structure without causing additional damage.
What causes foundations to settle?
Several factors: poorly compacted soil, water erosion, expansive clay soils, inadequate footings, or improper drainage. In Pennsylvania, frost heave is also a common cause.
Can you fix a cracked foundation without jacking the house?
It depends on the crack. Small hairline cracks caused by settling can sometimes be sealed or reinforced without lifting. Larger structural cracks or significant settling usually require jacking and more extensive repairs.
Don’t Ignore Foundation Problems
If your home or building is showing signs of foundation failure, settling, or structural issues, let’s talk. We’ll assess the problem and explain your options for stabilization and repair.
📞 (570) 702-7679
📧 [email protected]
Free assessments. Structural expertise.