Protecting your home's structure

Homeowners can take steps to “mitigate” or reduce the earthquake hazard to your home. Home retrofitting is the mitigation process of bolting a wood-frame home to its foundation and providing sheer/pony wall strength. The goal is to increase a home’s structural integrity, but does not mean it is “earthquake proof” (as there is no such thing). Your home can still sustain damage.

If your home is severely damaged, can you afford both your mortgage and rent for temporary housing? Most people cannot, so why not take action today – BEFORE disaster strikes. You can safeguard your investment and help protect you and your family.

 

 

Past earthquakes have shown that homes not bolted to their foundation, or without proper sheer wall reinforcement can sustain significant damage and make your home unlivable.

Through a home retrofit class, learn about:

• Home evaluation
• Permit process
• Proper bolt and plate installation
• Safety and engineering solutions

The cost of retrofitting depends on what needs to be done and if you can do some of it yourself. Materials can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, or if you prefer, trained contractors are available. Upon completing this class you can do the retrofit yourself or be a knowledgeable client when hiring a professional contractor.

 

Want to learn more about retrofitting your home? Click this sketch of a typical home structural retrofit to see the full version of this diagram.

 

Structural resources:

• Sketch of Home Retrofit (PDF)
• Identify Your Building’s Potential Weaknesses (USGS)

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Office of Emergency Management

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