Frequently Asked Questions

1. How would you like to inspect your own home?**Click Here To Find out**
2. What could happen to an unbolted home in the next strong earthquake?
   Earthquakes are rated by strength on a scale from 1 to 10.  During a 6.3 quake an unprotected house could slide 2” – 3” breaking sewer drain lines, water supply lines and unprotected glass.  In a 6.5 earthquake, an unprotected home could slide 4” – 6” causing gas leaks and some structural damage.  During a 6.8 strength earthquake, the structure could slide 8”-12” causing partial collapsing and electrical shorting.  At a 7.1 or higher strength earthquake, could be a total loss and a fire hazard.  Most, if not all of these problems can be minimized or avoided entirely with a properly planned and executed earthquake retrofit and foundation bolting by Seismic Safety personnel.
   
   
3. Can any type of foundation be reinforced?
   Any floor foundation can be made safer.  There are different solutions for different materials.  A brick foundation can be retrofitted with embedded anchor bolts.  Deteriorated mortar can be flushed out and reconditioned with high density mortar.
   
   
4. My arroyo stone foundation seems to be falling apart.  Is it too late for me to think about reinforcement or stone foundation repair?
   Not at all!  In fact, Seismic Safety can restore and repair your foundation to better than its original integrity.  We would then anchor the house to the foundation using state-of-the materials and specialized seismically engineered procedures.
   
   
5. Will bolting really increase the value of my home on the open market?
   Yes.  Given a choice between two properties, a potential buyer will naturally choose the more secure home, or expect to pay less for the seismically deficient home.
   
   
6. My house has survived for 70 years.  Why should I get my house bolted now?
   Since your home was built, there has not been an earthquake in this region stronger than the 1989,     7.1 earthquake in the San Francisco area.  Locally, in 1991, there was a 5.8 earthquake in Sierra Madre that damaged more than 500 homes that were unbolted, and many of these homes actually slide off their foundation.  Earthquake scientists tell us that if an earthquake the size of the San Francisco quake of 7.1 occurs on the Sierra Madre or Elysian faults in Southern California, the number of damaged homes may well be 100 times the damage from the 5.8 trembler.  Call Seismic Today for a comprehensive inspection and protect your home now.
   
   
7. A contractor friend of mine says we don’t need permits or engineering for this kind of work.  Is he right?
   It is unlawful to perform foundation repair in the Los Angeles area without proper permits.  Fines and penalties are heavy for each violation.  In addition, you’ll need details and a signed permit to satisfy disclosure laws when you sell, buy insurance or apply for a loan.  Some cities are waiving permit and inspection fees to encourage homeowners to earthquake retrofit and bolt their homes to the foundation.  If any contractor tells you that permits and details are an unnecessary step, he is not acting responsibly.  Call us at Seismic Safety and we will give you the straight talk, and take you through the process – legally.
   
   
8. Are Insurance companies really refusing renewal for homeowner policies on unbolted homes?
   Absolutely, and lending institutions as well.  The reasoning is quite simple; why should they risk money on an investment whose life expectancy might be in jeopardy?  If your house is not bolted, you cannot get an earthquake insurance policy, but general homeowner’s insurance is still available.
   
   
9. What else should I do to preserve my home?
   Basic home maintenance is preservation.  Caring for all aspects of your building will help maintain its structural strength.  Re-pointing mortar joints, replacing rotted wood members, and making sure water runs away from the foundation will help reserve a building.  

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