Mandeville’s lakefront is one of the most desirable places to live on the north shore, and one of the most exposed. When a storm pushes water out of the Gulf and into Lake Pontchartrain, the lake can rise over the seawall and into the streets of Old Mandeville. Homes farther from the lake can still take water when heavy rain overwhelms drainage.
Raising historic and older homes
Old Mandeville has many older raised cottages and pier-and-beam homes, which are good candidates for pier and beam house raising. Lifting them higher and setting them on new piers can protect the house while keeping its character. Homes in historic areas may face design review, so ask early about any local requirements for stairs, porches and foundation appearance.
Newer slab homes
Subdivisions built on slabs can be raised too. See slab house raising for how it works and what affects the cost.
Grants and insurance
Mandeville homeowners with prior flood claims may qualify for FEMA mitigation funding. Read our FEMA elevation grants guide and contact the city or parish to ask about open applications.
What raising a Mandeville home involves
Most Mandeville elevation projects follow the same path:
- Elevation certificate. A licensed surveyor measures how your lowest floor compares with the Base Flood Elevation for your lot. See our elevation certificate guide.
- Engineering. A structural engineer designs the new foundation for your soil, flood zone and target height.
- Permits. The City of Mandeville permits homes inside city limits and St. Tammany Parish handles the rest. Older lakefront areas may have extra review for neighborhood character.
- Disconnect and lift. Utilities are disconnected, steel beams go under the house and hydraulic jacks raise it in stages onto temporary cribbing.
- New foundation and set. New piers or pilings are built, the house is lowered onto them, and utilities, stairs and porches are rebuilt at the new height.
Old Mandeville homes
Many homes near the lakefront are older cottages and raised houses with real architectural character. They can be lifted without losing it. The original structure stays and the porches, steps and skirting are rebuilt to match. Raising often makes an older home easier to insure and sell, too.
Services available in Mandeville
- House Raising in Mandeville — Lift your home above flood level and set it on a new, higher foundation.
- Slab House Raising in Mandeville — Raise slab-on-grade homes, with or without the slab, to the height you need.
- Pier and Beam House Raising in Mandeville — Raise raised or crawlspace homes higher and set them on new piers or pilings.
- House Leveling in Mandeville — Fix sloping floors, sticking doors and cracked walls by re-leveling the house.
- Foundation Shoring & Repair in Mandeville — Shoring, pier replacement and foundation repair for raised and settling homes.
Mandeville questions
Does Mandeville flood from the lake?
Yes. Lakefront areas of Mandeville, including parts of Old Mandeville, can flood when storm surge pushes Lake Pontchartrain water ashore, as happened during Hurricane Isaac in 2012.
Who issues house raising permits in Mandeville?
Homes inside the City of Mandeville are permitted through the city. Homes outside city limits are permitted by St. Tammany Parish. Your contractor will confirm which applies.
How long does it take to raise a house in Mandeville?
The lift itself takes a few days, but the whole project, including surveying, engineering, permits, new foundation and reconnecting utilities, usually runs several weeks to a few months. Grant-funded projects take longer because of the approval steps. See our guide on how long house raising takes.