How to Jack Up a Porch

Disconnect electric, water and HVAC connections before you jack up a porch. You can shut off power to your porch from the circuit breaker and unscrew vents to avoid major damage to your home.

Rent a hydraulic jack to keep costs low while you lift your porch up for repairs and renovation. Use a national company like W.B. Equipment Service Company, Inc. if you live in a small community without an equipment rental company (see Resources below).

Carry out chairs, tables and accessories from your porch before you use a hydraulic jack. This elimination of unnecessary weight requires less power from the jack, which decreases the likelihood of a collapse.

Seek help from a local contractor to help you jack up and repair your porch. There are a variety of websites like Angie's List that offer recommendations on affordable and reliable contractors throughout the United States (see Resources below).

Insert the hydraulic jack underneath the porch columns to lift the roof. You need to jack up the porch roof separate from the porch to avoid stress on your columns.

Jam large wooden boards underneath your porch roof as a backup measure for your hydraulic jack. A pair of wooden boards in each corner counters any problems that a jack encounters during your repairs.

Investigate the condition of your porch roof, floor and supports after you jack up your porch. Take the opportunity to replace wood with dry rot and other structural problems to avoid serious damage down the road.