House in Vellore lifted by four feet using 200 jacks

The house owned by Gajendramannan, a private trader in Nethaji Nagar Fifth Street here, went below the level of the street due to the road being raised many times over the years.

This led to sewage from the house not only flowing into the public drain, but also the accumulation of water in the house premises in the event of rain.

While contractors initially suggested that he demolish and rebuild his house, Gajendramannan learned that it was cheaper to employ house-lifting services. “After calculating costs, I found that it was cheaper to raise the house than to rebuild my 800-square-feet house which has an additional floor,” he said.

Gajendramannan then contacted a Chennai-based house-lifting firm who after visiting the premises and calculating the cost, charged him Rs.50 per square feet to lift the house.

The inmates were then asked to leave the house for a few days.

Placing jacks beneath the house, the firm has now lifted the house by around four feet.

When asked about the operation, Gajendramannan said, “The work was really good as the house did not develop even a crack during the lift.”

Work is now on to place bricks beneath the house so that the height gain is permanent. The move, needless to say, garnered attention for Gajendranmannan in the area.