Why Retrofitting Makes Homes Safer

A home is a complicated work of construction. There are plenty of systems and technical issues that need to planned and implemented well in order for a new home to work properly and last a long time. Think about it; someone has to think about the electrical systems, plumbing, ventilation, heat systems, air conditioning, water run off, and so much more and they all have to be accounted for with proper design.

But if you ask the average homeowner how much they know about how their home is set up, odds are they don’t know much. Most people just assume that things are working great and everything has been built and installed according to how it should be.

Sometimes things aren’t always as they should be. That’s when a process called retrofitting comes into play. It essentially means fixing or strengthening parts of the home that aren’t as good as they should or could be. Earthquake retrofitting a home is done to prevent displacement from the structure concrete foundation. This makes a building safer and less likely to suffer damage during an earthquake.

Common Steps in Retrofitting

A professional needs to determine which type of retrofitting would be best for each home, depending on several factors. Common solutions include:

• Cripple Wall Bracing
• Foundation Bolting
• Anchoring to Mud Sill

Earthquakes occur suddenly and without warning. The motion on the earth’s crust can cause severe damage to homes. Older structures are especially at risk because many were not built to resist shaking and moving. Strengthening homes may greatly reduce or completely eliminate damage to a home during these types of natural disasters, and it may also prevent injury and even death.

To get started today or for more information, contact us today to schedule a FREE on-site inspection by our team of soft-story experts or call us now at (818)287-8002.

Posted on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019.