Elevations:
One of the most common retrofitting methods for homes is elevation. When a home is properly elevated, the living area should be above the base flood levels. Several elevation techniques are available. In general, they involve lifting the home and building a new foundation or extending the existing foundation below it.
During the elevation process, most frame, masonry veneer, and masonry homes are separated from their foundations, raised on hydraulic jacks, and held by temporary supports while a new or extended foundation is constructed below. The living area is raised so that only the foundation remains exposed to flooding. This technique works well for homes originally built on crawlspace, and open foundations. When homes are lifted with this technique, the new or extended foundation can consist of continuous walls or separate piers, posts, columns, or piles.