Vintage Home Foundations and Earthquakes
Earthquakes are an unfortunate reality of living in Southern California. For most of us it’s something we’ve become accustomed to and rarely think twice about, but at Sure Safe it’s one of our main concerns. The safety of our customers and their homes are always our primary concern, and so it’s no surprise that one of the primary considerations of any foundation repair we perform is how to make that home earthquake ready.
Vintage homes are especially vulnerable to earthquakes in part because of their age, and in part because accepted safety standards from the past may not be up to date or sufficient for current safety needs. Many older and vintage homes have walls that rest on a foundation but are not connected. It may seem obvious now, but it wasn’t always a requirement. Sure Safe is Brace and Bolt certified, and can improve the earthquake resistance and protections of vintage homes though seismic retrofitting. Any home over 25 years old may need to be seismically retrofitted to meet safety standards.
How can an earthquake affect my vintage home?
Earthquakes can have a wide range of damaging effects on a home. Some of the most common effects include:
Shifting foundation soil
Cracks in foundation walls
Pier movement or damage
Wall damage or slippage
Many of these can have compounding adverse effects on the strength of a foundation and the strength of your vintage home. Even smaller earthquakes that may not immediately damage the home can shift soil leading to damage over time.
What can I do to protect my vintage home?
First you’ll want to inspect your foundation. Begin with your own inspection to see if there are any obvious signs of damage. Look for cracks in the outer walls or interior of your foundation or crawl space. You’re vintage home may already have sustained damage from the numerous earthquakes it has already weathered. If you spot any issues you’ll want to have a professional inspection performed by a qualified foundation engineer.
Even if you don’t spot any superficial damage, if you own a vintage home it’s a good idea to have a professional inspection performed if only to know what needs to be done to prepare the home for the next earthquake. Here at Sure Safe we specialize in vintage home repair, so we’ve seen it all. We’ve worked on vintage homes that needed major repairs because of an earthquake, and we’ve also improved vintage homes that have avoided damage during future earthquakes. If you own a vintage home, it may be time to inspect the foundation and see if it needs repairs or even modernization to meet current safety standards.
The good news
Not only can foundation repair or seismic retrofitting make your home stronger and safer. Foundation repairs can also lower insurance premiums, vastly improve home value, and make your home easier to sell in the future. Protect your home, let Sure Safe repair or improve your foundation today!
