Madisonville sits where the Tchefuncte River meets Lake Pontchartrain. That location brings both river flooding during heavy rain and surge from the lake during tropical storms, and low streets near the river and lakefront are the most exposed.
Raising homes near the river
Many Madisonville homes are older raised or pier-and-beam houses, which are well suited to pier and beam house raising. Lifting them higher on new piers protects the home and often lowers flood insurance costs.
Slab homes in newer neighborhoods can be raised as well. See slab house raising.
Permits and grants
Homes inside town limits may be permitted by the town; those outside by St. Tammany Parish. If your home has flood claims, ask about FEMA elevation grants. Request an estimate below to get started.
What to expect on a Madisonville project
- Elevation certificate to measure your current floor height against the flood elevation. See our elevation certificate guide.
- Engineering for the new piers or pilings and target height.
- Permits through the Town of Madisonville inside town limits, or the parish outside them.
- Lift, foundation and set, then utilities, stairs and porches rebuilt at the new height.
River and lake at the same time
Because Madisonville faces both the Tchefuncte River and Lake Pontchartrain, it can see high water from heavy rain upstream and from tropical surge, sometimes in the same storm, as during Hurricane Isaac in 2012. Elevation protects against both, which is why so many homeowners near the river and lakefront choose it over flood-proofing.
Services available in Madisonville
- House Raising in Madisonville — Lift your home above flood level and set it on a new, higher foundation.
- Slab House Raising in Madisonville — Raise slab-on-grade homes, with or without the slab, to the height you need.
- Pier and Beam House Raising in Madisonville — Raise raised or crawlspace homes higher and set them on new piers or pilings.
- House Leveling in Madisonville — Fix sloping floors, sticking doors and cracked walls by re-leveling the house.
- Foundation Shoring & Repair in Madisonville — Shoring, pier replacement and foundation repair for raised and settling homes.
Madisonville questions
Can older Madisonville homes be raised without losing their character?
Yes. Many older raised homes can be lifted higher and set on new piers while keeping their original structure. Porches and stairs are rebuilt at the new height.
How high should I raise my Madisonville home?
At least to the minimum the town or parish requires for your lot, which is based on the Base Flood Elevation. Many owners go higher for extra protection and insurance savings. Our guide on how high to raise a house explains the trade-offs.