Why Retrofit your home to protect it from Earthquake Damage?
We are glad you have taken the time to research the benefits of seismic retrofitting for your home during an Earthquake. A home is the most personal element of our lives; it represents the last refuge, the one place where we know we’re safe from the outside world. For most of us it is also the most sizable financial investment we’ll ever make. If you are planning to reinforce your home against Earthquake damage, it's essential to understand some of the basics reasons for a seismic retrofit and the solutions available.
Here in Southern California we live in an area where the threat of a serious earthquake increases each day. Scientists can only guess, not predict, when the next quake will occur. We all know that sooner or later the next quake is going to be “the big one”. It is vital to think about protecting our homes against catastrophic loss; Seismic Safety is here to help protect your home and investment.
What does an Earthquake Retrofit mean?
Quite simply, it means Earthquake Hazard Reduction. Earthquake retrofit for wood frame buildings addresses what is known as “The Earthquake Weakness” – which involves the attachments of the structure – your home – to its foundation. Seismic Safety evaluates and performs structural and foundation reinforcements that will reduce the risk of earthquake-induced damage to your home. Seismic Safety will inspect your entire foundation and identify any earthquake weaknesses and provide you with a written report and cost analysis for repairs that will substantially improve the seismic performance and strength of your home to withstand Earthquake damage. Our state of the art methodology is the best this industry has to offer in reducing the hazards of structures sliding off of the foundation.
Is my Home at Risk?
Prior to 1960, a large number of wood frame residential buildings were built with raised wood floors supported by short wood stud walls known as cripple walls. These cripple walls are typically braced with weak seismic materials such as stucco or horizontal wood siding. In addition, wood frame buildings built under building codes in effect prior to July 1938 were not required to be bolted to their foundations. Recent earthquakes have shown that if a building has weak cripple wall bracing or is unbolted, it may slide off its foundation even in certain moderate earthquakes. We have seen buildings whose Cripple stud walls have toppled over, and the buildings have collapsed and slid. Fallen buildings may catch fire or need extensive repairs to restore occupancy requirements.
The experts here at Seismic Safety are the best in the industry and we are happy to help answer any questions you may have about foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, and other factors that affect your home's earthquake safety. In the meantime, here are a couple of great reference guides for home owners that may help to give you more information on our favorite subject; Earthquake Retrofit Construction for your Home.
City of Los Angeles: How you can strengthen your home Guide
The City of Los Angeles Department of Building &Safety has compiled an informational publication to educate homeowners on easy, low-cost ways to help reduce the risk of damage by properly retrofitting your home.
FEMA: Homebuilder's Guide to Earthquake-Resistant Design & Construction
You’ll find seismic design and construction guidance for one- and two-family light frame residential structures that can be utilized by homebuilders, homeowners, and other non-engineers, and provides supplemental information to the 2003 edition of the International Residential Code. Includes background information on the principles of seismic resistance and how earthquake forces impact conventional residential construction and more detailed information on architectural considerations.
Seismic Safety - Ed Sylvis Construction 
