As you evaluate your home's ability to withstand an earthquake and prepare for a retrofit, knowing these simple steps will help to ensure your home is structurally sound and earthquake resistant. We've included important questions to help determine when a retrofit is needed and whether to hire a professional or do it yourself.
1.
Get Seismic Smart
Knowing how seismic (earthquake) forces affect your home will help you make your home safer and more secure. There are three ways an earthquake can affect your home:
Knowing how seismic (earthquake) forces affect your home will help you make your home safer and more secure. There are three ways an earthquake can affect your home:
- Racking
Earthquake forces can cause your home to move or tilt from side to side. - Sliding
Earthquake forces can shake the house and weaken its frame, causing it to slide off the foundation. - Overturning
Earthquake forces can cause the walls of your home to lift or rotate off the foundation.
2.
Create a Path
A continuous load path that is. A continuous load path is a method of construction that ties your house together from the roof to the foundation using a system of framing materials, metal connectors, fasteners (like nails and screws) and shearwalls. This system connects and strengthens the structural frame of the house. If your home is built with a continuous load path, it will be better equipped to resist the forces of an earthquake by transferring these forces from the frame of the house to the foundation.
A continuous load path that is. A continuous load path is a method of construction that ties your house together from the roof to the foundation using a system of framing materials, metal connectors, fasteners (like nails and screws) and shearwalls. This system connects and strengthens the structural frame of the house. If your home is built with a continuous load path, it will be better equipped to resist the forces of an earthquake by transferring these forces from the frame of the house to the foundation.
3.
Know Your Zone
Certain geographic areas are more prone to earthquakes than others; your house may be in a seismic zone and you may not know it. The best way to find out if you live in a seismic area is to call your local building department and ask if you live in a region of moderate or high seismic risk. You can also visit the U.S. Geological Survey website and review its seismic hazard maps at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/.
Certain geographic areas are more prone to earthquakes than others; your house may be in a seismic zone and you may not know it. The best way to find out if you live in a seismic area is to call your local building department and ask if you live in a region of moderate or high seismic risk. You can also visit the U.S. Geological Survey website and review its seismic hazard maps at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/.
4.
Be Ready to Retrofit
If your home was built before 1985, it's most likely in need of a retrofit. Many existing homes were constructed prior to new earthquake-resistant building code requirements. A retrofit adds bracing and reinforcement to strengthen the critical connections within a home. A home that has been retrofitted is able to resist greater earthquake forces and has a lower risk of being damaged.
If your home was built before 1985, it's most likely in need of a retrofit. Many existing homes were constructed prior to new earthquake-resistant building code requirements. A retrofit adds bracing and reinforcement to strengthen the critical connections within a home. A home that has been retrofitted is able to resist greater earthquake forces and has a lower risk of being damaged.
5.
Retrofit Your Home Right
Before getting started on a retrofit conduct an inspection and evaluate the structural integrity of your home. By hiring a professional you will help ensure the retrofit is done right. There are seismic improvements that you can do on your own to strengthen your home, however, some cases may require an engineer and contractor. Knowing what is needed from the beginning will set you on the right course to structural safety. Remember, when hiring professional retrofitters, be sure they are licensed and have a good reputation.
Before getting started on a retrofit conduct an inspection and evaluate the structural integrity of your home. By hiring a professional you will help ensure the retrofit is done right. There are seismic improvements that you can do on your own to strengthen your home, however, some cases may require an engineer and contractor. Knowing what is needed from the beginning will set you on the right course to structural safety. Remember, when hiring professional retrofitters, be sure they are licensed and have a good reputation.
