Do You Need an Earthquake Retrofit Service?

Earthquakes occur all over the world and in every continent. But there are certain regions of each continent that get hit the hardest with earthquakes. For example, the west coast of the United States gets hit with earthquakes more than any other area of the country. In fact, news reports about earthquakes in Los Angeles become national news very often. So if you live in California, Oregon or Washington State, then you may need an earthquake retrofit service to secure your home in case an earthquake strikes. There is no sense in trying to avoid getting any protection because earthquakes will most certainly strike and cause damage to your home. 

There is no such thing as an earthquake proof home. All you can do is protect your home from the common tremors and seismic activity that occur from earthquakes. With the right retrofitting, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in possible damages due to seismic activity. If you have an existing home or are thinking about purchasing a home in an area with earthquake activity, then you should do some research into the construction of the home. Most houses built after 1990 already have earthquake resistant features installed in them. Houses built before 1990 will more than likely need an earthquake retrofit service, unless the previous owner installed some retrofitting themselves. Check with the previous owner of the house about this if you can.

You should always study the foundation of the home no matter what you find out about its past, especially after any recent seismic activity in the area. If the house looks displaced from its bottom concrete foundation, then it does not have the proper retrofitting or protective features installed to resist the power of an earthquake. Displacement can be the house sliding off the foundation or the walls collapsing underneath the main floor. If you are still not sure if your home is properly equipped, talk with an earthquake specialist who is experienced in providing retrofitting services. They will likely give you a free home evaluation to determine how much earthquake protection your home actually needs. 

Even without an evaluation, any layman person will be able to determine if they need a retrofit through simple trial and error. If your home becomes tilted or endures structural damage after seismic activity, then you will know it is time to get an earthquake retrofit service.