Many homes in Slidell’s established subdivisions were built slab-on-grade, with the concrete floor poured directly on the ground. When those neighborhoods flood, the slab is the problem: the living area sits only inches above the yard. The good news is that slab homes are raised regularly in South Louisiana. It takes more planning than a pier-and-beam lift, but it is a well-established process.
Two ways to raise a slab home
Lifting the house with the slab. Crews tunnel or trench under the slab and slide a grid of steel beams beneath it. The house and slab are then lifted together with a unified hydraulic jacking system and set on new piers. This keeps the original floor, which can mean less interior work, but it requires a slab in good enough condition to be lifted as one piece.
Separating the house from the slab. The walls are cut free from the slab and the house is lifted on beams placed through the walls. A new wood-framed floor system is built at the new height on piers or pilings, and the old slab may be left at ground level as a patio or parking area. This is often chosen when the slab is cracked or when the home is going up a long way.
What affects the cost of a slab lift
- Square footage and weight. Slab homes are heavy, so more beams and jacks are needed.
- Target height. Higher lifts need taller, more substantial foundations.
- Slab condition. Cracked or unreinforced slabs usually push the project toward separating the house from the slab.
- Access. Tight lots, fences, trees and neighboring homes can slow the work.
- Finish work. Stairs, a lift, AC platform, plumbing extensions and driveway changes all add up.
Read the house raising cost guide for more on pricing.
Grant-funded slab elevations
Slab homes are frequently part of FEMA-funded elevation projects in St. Tammany Parish, particularly homes on the repetitive-loss list. If you have been offered a grant, ask your contractor whether they have completed slab raises under HMGP or FMA, since those programs have specific documentation and inspection steps. Our FEMA elevation grants guide covers the basics.
Common questions
Is it worth raising a slab house?
For many Slidell homes in flood-prone areas, yes, especially when a grant or ICC claim covers part of the cost or flood insurance premiums are high. The alternative is often repeated flood repairs or eventually selling at a discount.
Does the slab come up with the house?
It can. Some projects lift the house and slab together. Others separate the house from the slab and build a new framed floor on top of piers. The engineer and contractor choose the method based on the slab's condition and the target height.