Earthquake Retrofitting in Los Angeles: Is It Necessary?
If you live in Los Angeles, chances are you’ve heard about earthquake retrofitting.
Earthquake retrofitting is a form of foundation repair that can strengthen a structure to make it more resistant to earthquakes.
If you own a home in Los Angeles, you may be thinking, is it actually necessary?
The short answer: yes.
Most homes that have been built in Los Angeles were constructed without the necessary safeguards to protect the property from the shaking of a large earthquake.
The older the home, the more it’s at risk. Homes that were built before 1980 are at a much greater threat of being displaced from their foundation during a seismic event. And when a property is displaced from its foundation, it’s generally destroyed.
Retrofitting Your Home for Earthquakes
Time and time again, we’ve seen what happens to a property when it has not been properly reinforced for earthquakes. Which is why after every large seismic event in California, building codes have adapted and changed to meet a new standard of safety.
Retrofitting for earthquakes is a simple process that will help keep your home secured to its foundation. This makes the building safer for those who are inside and the property less likely to incur major structural damage from the quake.
In 2014, the South Napa earthquake highlighted the differences an earthquake retrofit can make when it comes to protecting a property. The 6.0 magnitude earthquake dramatically shifted houses off of their foundation that had not been retrofitted, while those that had earthquake retrofits stood completely intact.
Earthquake Probability in Southern California
While we’re always hearing about the inevitable “Big One,” there’s actual data that predicts when we can expect a quake of that size.
Research suggests there is a 60% probability that an earthquake measuring in the 6.7 magnitude range will occur along the San Andreas fault in the next 30 years. And that same fault line, which runs just 25 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, is capable of unleashing a quake all the way in the 8.0 magnitudes.
Aside from the fault lines that we know in Southern California, there are new ones that we discover each year. For example, the 2019 Ridgecrest quake occurred on a fault line that had never been uncovered in the Eastern California Shear Zone.
The Necessity of Earthquake Retrofitting
It increases your safety: A home that has been retrofitted for earthquakes reduces the chances of injury and death for its residents during a large earthquake.
It protects your investment: Your home is arguably the biggest investment you have, which is why it’s important to protect that asset. Earthquake retrofitting is cheaper than having to repair or look for a new place to live after an earthquake.
It keeps your home, your home: When disaster strikes, it’s chaos. The last thing you want to worry about is where you and your family will be living. Earthquake retrofitting protects your property, which means any damage that is incurred will be minimal. You won’t have to worry about paying high-priced repairs or rental costs while the work is being done to restore your home.
If you think your home is in need of earthquake retrofitting, contact Julian Construction today and we will send one of our foundation specialists out to conduct a free, thorough inspection with a quote for repair.
We have extensive experience serving our Los Angeles community and nearby regions. In fact, Julian Construction has inspected over 30,000 structures in the area!
Julian Construction was formed in 1994 and our focus has always been on building foundations, doing foundation repair and replacement, earthquake retrofitting, and house leveling.
When you work with Julian Construction, you get the principles of the company and the workers of Julian Construction under your home.
And in order to keep foundation repair affordable for our customers, we offer a price guarantee — because we know our quote for repair will represent your very best value.
Give us a call at (323) 733-3377 to schedule your free inspection or complete the inspection request form.
