California has experienced several large earthquakes since 1989 and studies show the state is still seismically active. As a result, retrofitting homes has become important to strengthen the connection between houses and foundations to prevent structural damage during earthquakes. Specifically, over 1.2 million homes in California may not be properly bolted or anchored to foundations or have adequate wall bracing. Homes built before 1940 are especially at risk as they were constructed without bolting to foundations, meaning an earthquake could cause the foundation and ground to move out from under the house. Retrofitting helps reduce earthquake damages and is required for insurance and property transfers.

1. Call now 818-287-8002

2. Recent studies say that California has entered a period of seismic activity and it has
become an ‘earthquake zone’. About four earthquakes of magnitude 7 have hit
California since 1989, and it is believed that there are more to follow. Thus,
retrofitting homes have become the need of the hour in the state.
Why Should You Retrofit?
According to the LA Department of Building
and Safety, “Many of the homes in Los Angeles
were built using older construction techniques
which are inadequate for the forces we now
know earthquakes can cause; but, these older
homes can be reinforced easily and
inexpensively.”
Seismic retrofitting uses specialized hardware and engineering methods to strengthen
the connection between a house and its foundation. This way, it prevents structural
damage of the house at the time of an earthquake, and supports the construction of
the house.

3. Retrofitting reduces damages caused by earthquakes; it is worth much than its costs.
Also, if you plan to sell or even buy a home in CA, proper disclosure about foundations
of the house is required before transferring the proprietorship.
Insurance carries a 20% deductible on earthquakes, but the safety of the family comes
to the homeowners first. Besides that, earthquake retrofitting might be mandatory for
some home and building insurance providers.
The Houses That Need Retrofitting
California Government Code Section 8897 says, “…there are approximately 1,200,000
homes in the State of California which may not be bolted or anchored to their
foundations or do not have adequate cripple wall bracing.”

4. LA Department of Building and Safety add that
the houses “built prior to 1940 in Los Angeles
were built without being bolted to their
foundations. Without this anchorage, a large
earthquake can move the ground and the
foundation right out from under the house.
Older homes were damaged or destroyed in
this manner by every major earthquake in
California’s history.”
This is a serious note of caution; necessary steps should be taken to retrofit old
homes, and stay protected from any natural calamities. Because “if not, the next
earthquake may damage the cripple wall and move your home off its foundation,
even if you’ve bolted it down” (LA Dept. of Building and Safety)