Residential Retrofitting

Weinstein Construction professionals take a very close look at a home’s cripple walls as part of an earthquake retrofitting inspection.  Cripple walls are structures that connect the foundation to the floor base. Many home owners don’t know that cripple walls, commonly seen in crawlspaces, are one of a home’s greatest liabilities when an earthquake strikes!

Without proper reinforcement through a seismic retrofit, many cripple walls are particularly susceptible to the sideways movement that a home experiences during an earthquake.  Such movement can cause one or more of the cripple walls to collapse, which can cause the entire house to shift and even fall.

The Uniform Code of Building Conservation and the Los Angeles Building Code specify the type of plywood to be used in building shear walls, the types of nails to be used, as well as the spacing of nails, methods of attaching shear panels to the mudsill, and methods of attaching them to the floor of the house.  Weinstein Construction professionals are experts at bringing all of these safety measures to an earthquake retrofit project!

Maintain and Replace

An important part of earthquake retrofitting is dealing with a structure’s old construction when it is worn out or rusted.  Over time, moisture becomes trapped between the mudsill and foundation, creating rust which degrades constructional metal. Once the metal rusts, it loses its strength, causing it to sway dangerously when the earth moves.

Worn out or rusted construction also gives water an unwanted entry into the structure, which can then cause a cascade of additional problems.  Fortunately, Weinstein Construction professionals are experts in maintaining with a structure’s old construction! Let us inspect and repair your old construction, if required.  Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation!