Wondering what your home is worth? Find Out Now

Earthquake Proofing Older Homes: Why and How

Living

If you live in an earthquake-prone area, you know that earthquake proofing your home is essential. If you live in an older home, however, this may be easier said than done. Older homes often aren’t up to code or equipped with the earthquake-proof standards of today. Earthquake proofing older homes can be difficult to outfit, and they’re often expensive.

With that in mind, read on to learn more about earthquake proofing older homes. Plus see what you can do to ensure that your house is safe and in-compliance at all times.

Earthquake Proofing Older Homes: Simple Upgrades

While it’s true that some earthquake-proof upgrades can be expensive, others are actually quite affordable. According to HouseLogic.com, for example, a great deal of earthquake proofing can be performed by a contractor, for roughly $2,000.

When you consider the fact that repairing a home struck by an earthquake (if it hasn’t been completely devastated in the process) can cost tens of thousands of dollars, it quickly becomes clear just how worthwhile the costs associated with earthquake proofing are.

With that in mind, here are a few simple tips for earthquake proofing an older home:

Check with the housing department in your area

Since earthquake standards have likely changed since your home was built, check in with your local building department. They’ll be able to tell you what upgrades you need to make to bring your home up to date, and which resources you can use to get them done.

Examine your foundation (and improve it if need be)

Many older homes have foundations that wouldn’t stand a chance against the seizing and vibrations of an earthquake. To evaluate whether your foundation needs reinforcement, go into your basement or crawl space and check to see whether steel anchor plates have been installed. If they haven’t, your foundation could use improvement. Fortunately, these anchor plates are simple and relatively inexpensive to install.

If your home is built on a slab foundation, you may consider installing metal bolts to adhere the concrete of the foundation to the sill plate, which will help ensure that the home stays in place despite aggressive rocking and tearing.

Install cripple walls

Cripple walls are meant to act like shock absorbers in the event of an earthquake. Installed around the exterior of the home, they bear the weight of the house, and will help keep a house stationary during the swaying and shaking movements of an earthquake.

Earthquake Proofing Older Homes: A Critical Step

If you live in an earthquake-proof area, these simple upgrades can save you tens of thousands of dollars in devastation. Ideal for any older home that may be lacking the reinforcement it needs to stand up against an earthquake, these improvements are simple and smart.