Do you know whether or not your home could withstand the shaking and rolling that would be caused by a significant earthquake? In the state of California, there are about one million older residences that are located in locations with high seismic risk; these are properties that, in the event of a severe earthquake, are at risk of suffering considerable damage or being completely destroyed. Many older houses were constructed before the advent of contemporary construction rules that assist guard against earthquakes; some properties are more susceptible to shaking damage as a result of the design of their structures.
Learn how to make your house more secure, no matter where you reside in California—Los Angeles, San Francisco, or any other city or town in the state! Seismic retrofitting, also known as bracing and bolting the foundation of your home, may help you prevent costly structural repairs as well as physical damage for you and your loved ones in the event of an earthquake. Find out whether your home needs any further support. If your house was damaged by an earthquake, the cost to restore the damage may be quite high. However, if you invest a small amount of money in the cost of retrofits now, you may be able to lower those costs.
In its most basic form, seismic retrofitting is the installation of anchors connecting the roof to the walls and continuity ties. The connections in older buildings that have been determined to be insufficient are strengthened as a result of this. Buildings constructed previous to 1985 need to be evaluated for the possibility of retrofitting, while buildings constructed prior to 1975 will almost certainly need reinforcing. The primary objective is to prevent the roof from coming apart, particularly at the edges. The concrete tilt-up walls are very heavy, and as a result, they generate a considerable lot of pressure whenever they shift position as a result of an earthquake.
A structure could need to be strengthened for a variety of reasons, including the expense of insurance, the needs of a lender, concerns about life safety, or the building’s position as an important institution.
Why Should You Upgrade Your House?
The installation of earthquake-resistant seismic retrofits in your home will make the structure more secure and less likely to sustain significant structural damage in the event of an earthquake by preventing your house from being detached from its base.
The first step of seismic retrofitting is addressing the foundation and kind of construction of the building in order to ensure that a residence or building would not slide, rack, or topple off of its foundation in the case of an earthquake. As a consequence of the presence of seismic activity, the ground is continuously shifting throughout California. Your house or other structure may suffer catastrophic structural damage or, even worse, completely cave in if an earthquake were to strike at any time. When you have your foundation retrofitted for seismic activity, you change it so that it is more resistant to intense action.
What Kind of Damage Might Be Caused to My House by an Earthquake?
Homes in California that were constructed before 1980, when real seismic construction rules came into force, are especially sensitive to the shaking that may be caused by earthquakes. Homes that feature a huge aperture on the first level, such as a garage door, are also susceptible to being broken into.
Your home’s windows are also susceptible to damage and shaking from earthquakes since they are not earthquake-resistant. When the earth shakes, there is a possibility that the glass in your home’s enormous windows may shatter. This is particularly true if the walls on each side of the windows are only width.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests that tempered glass may be the most resilient material when it comes to the shaking that might be caused by earthquakes since it shatters into tiny pieces rather than massive shards. There are films available that may be applied on glass that is not tempered in order to give some level of protection.
Why Should You Think About Getting Seismic Retrofitting Done?
Through the use of a seismic retrofit, those of us who live in California in houses that were constructed before 1980 have the opportunity to improve the stability of our homes, making them more resistant to the shaking and damage that may be caused by earthquakes. It wasn’t until the year 1980 that the state of California adopted the nation’s first substantial seismic rules for residential buildings. The seismic codes have continued to undergo continuous improvement on a triennial basis. Because the frames of many houses constructed before 1980 are not attached to their foundations, it is possible for these structures to slip off of their foundations during the strong shaking that is induced by a significant earthquake.
The process of fortifying your house so that it is less susceptible to damage caused by earthquakes is referred to as a seismic retrofit. Installation of plywood or steel panels on garage doors, bracing, and attaching the structure of your house to the foundation inside the crawl space or cripple wall are examples of this kind of work that may be performed with relative ease. In addition, the process of seismic retrofitting may help you have peace of mind since you will be aware that you have taken preventative measures to safeguard your family and your home from the effects of earthquakes.
Preparing Your Home With Foundation Technology
A strong earthquake may trigger the collapse of structures, which can send a whole house or building crashing down to the ground. Retrofitting your house or place of business for earthquakes may protect your loved ones at home as well as your employees, renters, and customers at your place of business. Land owners in the majority of communities in California, including Los Angeles, are required by law to make necessary improvements to their houses, buildings, or other structures on their land. In the event that compliance is not met, the offender may be subject to penalties that range from hefty fines to the suspension of company activities.
Foundation Technology is the only firm you should consider working with if you are looking for a reputable business to entrust the structural integrity of your house. We are experts in analyzing your unique circumstance, deciding which strategy will meet your requirements in the most efficient and effective manner, and then repairing your foundation in accordance with our recommendations. Because you have chosen to work with Foundation Technology, you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the building or house you own has had its structural integrity restored.