Residential Retrofitting
Affordable Earthquake Retrofitting
- Homes built before 1970 do not have earthquake stabilizers
- Retrofitting your home is fraction the cost caused from earthquake damage
- Regular deterioration and water damage take away from a home’s stability
When is the BIG ONE going to happen?
This happens because the siding used on older homes, whether wood or stucco, is relatively weak and provides little support or bracing to the cripple wall. Structural grade plywood properly nailed on the cripple wall in the form of a shear wall is almost 20 times stronger than typical siding material…that is a 200% (two hundred percent) increase in strength.
Unfortunately, NO ONE has the exact answer to this question. When this inevitable disaster happens to occur, will you and your family be safe in your house as it stands now?
Your home can sustain significant damage with extra support and precautionary measures by earthquake retrofitting. Weinstein Construction earthquake retrofit to endure powerful forces of an earthquake.
Cripple Wall Reinforcement
Reinforcing your cripple walls will help secure your home.
Earthquake retrofitting also takes a very close look at cripple walls. These walls are structures that connect the foundation to the floor base.
Commonly seen in crawlspaces, cripple walls are one of the greatest liabilities when an earthquake strikes.
Without proper reinforcement through a seismic retrofit, the cripple walls are particularly susceptible to the sideways movement that a home experiences in an earthquake.
The movement can cause one or more of the cripple walls to collapse, which causes the entire house to shift and 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 (5 Ply plywood), the types of nails to be used and spacing of the nails, methods of attaching shear panels to the mudsill, and methods of attaching them to the floor of the house (8d common Nails).
Maintain and Replace
An important part of earthquake retrofitting is dealing with a structure’s old construction that may be worn out and rusted.
Over time, moisture becomes trapped between the mudsill and foundation. The rust degrades the metal, which causes it to move and not stay in place when the earth starts to move.
This gives unwanted water an entrance into the structure, which can causes a whole set of additional problems. In addition to having bolts installed, other various aspects of the structure should also be inspected occasionally and replaced when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it expensive to have my home earthquake retrofitted?
Do you drive your car without insurance? If not, why would you live in a home that hasn’t been earthquake retrofitted? We can say with certainty that it is much more affordable to retrofit your home against earthquakes, than it is to repair your home after it is damaged in an earthquake!
The standard earthquake retrofitting job may cost a few thousand dollars, but the damage from a single earthquake can easily cost more than 10 times that amount. Moreover, in some circumstances, the extent of earthquake damage may be so severe and extensive that the property is not repairable, forcing the home owner to either rebuild the home from scratch or purchase and move into a new home. And so the question is, how can you put a cost on sleeping better at night, knowing that you and your family are safe? Of course such peace of mind is priceless! And don’t forget that you might even receive a discount on your homeowner’s insurance premiums!
Are there different options and prices that I can choose from?
Yes, of course. There are a variety of options from you to choose from, all at various prices points that most home owners can afford. Weinstein Construction professionals can come to your home as soon as the next day for a free, no-obligation inspection and consultation. From there, we will give you as many different choices and prices to choose as are available, based upon the condition of your house and the amount of work we will need to do to make your home safer. No matter what services you need and what kind of budget you are on, we will have the right solution for you!
Do I need a permit for this service?
Yes. You will need a permit for most earthquake retrofitting services. However, Weinstein Construction professionals will take care of the entire permitting process for you (unless of course, you would like to do it on your own). In most cases, home owners want us to make sure that all of the right permits are pulled correctly for the job we do.
How do I know if my home needs earthquake retrofitting?
If you home was built before the 1970s, then you may very well need earthquake retrofitting. Proper earthquake retrofitting in the greater Los Angeles was not a standard practice for most homes built before the 1970s. Moreover, even if your home was retrofitted in some fashion in the 1970s, or was even built after the 1970s, there's still a substantial chance that your home will need additional support.
Why take the chance? Call Weinstein Construction professionals for a free, no-obligation assessment of your home’s needs. The next "Big One" can strike anytime, and you need to make sure that your home and family are as safe as they can possibly be. Remember, when we talk about earthquakes, it’s not “if” the next “Big One” hits, it’s “when” it hits…
How long does it take to get the job done?
Typically, your home will have protection in 1-3 days. Having said that, much depends on your home’s condition and what needs to be accomplished. This type of a job typically does not take a very long time to complete, and it will do so much good for your home. Don’t delay or take a chance that an earthquake will damage your home – call Weinstein Construction today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
Testimonials
WCC came and did a house bolting job for us and my wife and I feel much more secure in this earthquake prone environment, and we find we can rest easier.
With Great service and responsible workers, the retrofit job we had done went by without any problems. We barely noticed the workers, they were respectful of us and our property. Would recommend any day.
