Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Does Your Home Need Earthquake Retrofitting?

by Shawn Kyles

In Southern California, small earthquakes are common. But we also know that the next “big one” could happen at any time, and probably when we least expect it, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.

The last big Southern California quake was the Northridge Earthquake in January, 1994, which measured 6.7 on the Richter scale, and which caused 72 deaths, 9,000 injuries and $20 billion in damage. Whole apartment buildings and parking structures collapsed.

So what is an earthquake retrofit anyway, and how do you know if your home needs one?

An earthquake retrofitting is the process of firmly attaching a house to its concrete foundation using foundation plates and anchor bolts. Because California is "earthquake country," the up-and-down and side-to-side motion of an earthquake can shake an unbolted house off its foundation, making for a very costly repair job.

Here are some indicators that an earthquake retrofit is probably necessary for your home:

  • Homes built before the mid 1980's often lack features that could help to make them earthquake damage resistant.
  • Homes built before World War II may not even be bolted to the foundation at all, or the bolts may be too small and few. A major earthquake could slide such a house right off its foundation.
  • An unreinforced garage with living space above is another possibly dangerous problem. That big garage door opening needs to be reinforced either by a steel frame or by strengthening the walls on either side or it can collapse in an earthquake like a house of cards, along with the living space on top.
  • An unreinforced stone or masonry building definitely needs to be looked at, and is highly susceptible to earthquake damage.

These are some of the more obvious indicators. Here are some other conditions that could cause problems in an earthquake:

  • Two or more stories
  • Any support posts, instead of walls
  • No foundation, or a block or brick foundation
  • An unusual shape
  • A location on a steep hill
  • Living area over a garage
  • A porch that is recessed under a second story
  • A neighboring structure touching or almost touching.

The best thing to do is get a foundation inspection, which will include looking at the house bolting and seeing if it is adequate and if any other reinforcements are needed in your home. The inspection is usually free and the cost of any house bolting and reinforcements will usually be a lot less than moving your house back onto its foundation if an earthquake causes it to slide off.

Posted via web from julianconstruction's posterous

Friday, October 23, 2009

The October 15 Great California Shakeout Earthquake Drill a Great Success

Julian Construction Gives a Shout Out for the Shakeout and its Organizing Force, The Earthquake Country Alliance

Founder of Julian Construction (www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, applauds the Great California Shakeout – the largest earthquake drill in US history. “More than 6.8 million people participated in the first statewide earthquake preparedness drill – that’s spectacular.” De La Torre said. “You really have to stand in awe of what the Earthquake Country Alliance has done in California, a state where it can often be a problem getting three people doing the same thing at the same time.”

For Julian Construction, every day is an earthquake preparedness day. Inspection of home foundations for their capacity to withstand earthquakes is one of primary parts of their business. “For all the success we had this year, it goes without saying that there are a lot more people in California than 6.8 million. So we are looking for even greater participation next year – Oct 21, 2010 is the next Great California Shakeout drill.” Julian said.

But there is no need for homeowners and renters to wait a year to prepare. Julian Construction recommends two websites that provide information on do-it-yourself preparedness inspections - Emergency Survival Program’s ‘Is Your Place Safe’ (http://www.scec.org/education/public/espfocus/May_06.pdf) and Earthquake Country Alliance’s Dare to Prepare website http://www.earthquakecountry.info/daretoprepare/secure_your_building.html).

Julian Construction offers free home foundation inspections for those who need or want their years of expertise. “Getting your home foundation inspected is the best thing you can do to ensure your home will be as ready as possible for the next earthquake. We also provide 0% financing for those who need to finance their any needed repair or retrofit.” Julian noted.

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake retrofitting since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Julian formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model - no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home.  The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com.

Posted via web from julianconstruction's posterous

Saturday, October 3, 2009

JulianConstruction.com: The Great California Shakeout Emergency Drill Oct 15

By Shawn Kyles

Unfortunately you can’t schedule the next earthquake, or where you will happen to be when it happens. Given the large percentage of time spent at home, the odds are that you will be in or around your home when the next one arrives.

But, you can prepare so that in the event of an earthquake, your family and your home will be protected.

That’s the point of the Great California Shakeout earthquake preparedness drill approaching on October 15.

The purpose of the ShakeOut is to help people and organizations get better prepared for major earthquakes, and practice on how to protect ourselves when one happens, whether you are at work, school, or home.

You can find out more about the ShakeOut and sign up to participate at http://www.shakeout.org. 5.2 million people have signed up to participate so far.

The ShakeOut Drill is scheduled for 10:15 AM on October 15, 2009. This means that wherever you are at that moment—at home, at work, at school, anywhere—you should Drop, Cover, and Hold On as if there were a major earthquake occurring at that very moment, and stay in this position for at least 60 seconds.

Drop: That means drop to the floor wherever you are.

Cover: Then take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table.

Hold On: Then hold on to something sturdy until the shaking stops.

There will be no freeway closures, power outages, or other simulated effects of the hypothetical earthquake on October 15.

The ShakeOut is something where participating at work is encouraged. Businesses, organizations, schools, and government agencies can register and have their employees practice the Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill.

Foundation Inspection

Another thing you should do to prepare for a major earthquake is to get the foundation of your home inspected. In many cases homes are not properly secured to the foundation, which means that they can move off the foundation or slightly off the foundation during an earthquake.

If there is a problem with your house not being properly secured to your foundation, the cost will likely be a lot less to fix before an earthquake than after one. So I recommend taking the step of getting a foundation inspection done today. Then if there are no problems, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that. And if there are problems, you can take the steps to correct them.

Posted via web from julianconstruction's posterous

The Great California Shakeout Emergency Drill Set for October 15 – Check the Safety of Your Home

Julian Construction Urges Homeowners and Renters to Inspect Their Homes for Earthquake Safety

Founder of Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, knows that you can’t schedule the next earthquake, or where you happen to be when it happens. Given the large percentage of time spent at home, the odds are that you will be in or around your home when the next one arrives. “There are excellent resources on the internet related to earthquake preparation.”  Julian De La Torre says. “Emergency Survival Program’s ‘Is Your Place Safe’ (http://www.scec.org/education/public/espfocus/May_06.pdf) is a great place to start. Earthquake Country Alliance’s Dare to Prepare website (http://www.earthquakecountry.info/daretoprepare/secure_your_building.html) is also very good.”

De La Torre recommends that everyone consult one or both of these sites, then take a look at their residence with an eye to earthquake safety. “Securing the home is one of the major steps Californians can take with the Great California Shakeout earthquake preparedness drill approaching on October 15.” Julian said. “We are happy to inspect anyone’s foundations and let them know what is needed. We also provide 0% financing for those who need to finance any needed repair or retrofit.”

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake retrofitting and foundation repair since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Mr. De La Torre formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model - no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home.  The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com.

Posted via web from julianconstruction's posterous

The Time to Prepare for Earthquakes is Before It Starts to Shake

Julian Construction Urges Homeowners to Ensure Their Houses Are Properly Secured to Their Foundations

Founder of Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com), Julian De La Torre, has repaired or constructed more than 6.600 foundations in California and has seen the full range of foundation problems that can exist in homes. “Here in earthquake country one of the more dangerous conditions can exist at the intersection of the house and its foundation. The up-and-down and side-to-side motions of an earthquake can shake an improperly secured house off its foundation.”  Julian De La Torre says. “Earthquake retrofitting is the process of attaching a house to its concrete foundation using foundation plates and anchor bolts. It is one of our areas of expertise.” 

With the Great California Shakeout earthquake preparedness drill approaching on October 15, homeowners can get a head start by having their foundations checked. The Great California Shakeout is the first statewide earthquake preparedness drill and follows last year’s Great Southern California Shakeout, a great success.

 “We are happy to inspect anyone’s foundations and let them know what is needed. We also provide 0% financing for those who need to finance any needed repair or retrofit.” Julian said.

Julian De La Torre has been doing earthquake retrofitting since the early 1990s and has personally worked on over 6,600 homes in Southern California. With this unmatched experience in the substructure areas of a home, Julian formed Julian Construction in 2001 with the goal of making safer homes, apartments and commercial properties throughout Southern California. His partner Shawn Kyles has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with both engineering firms and local departments of building and safety, and is an expert in foundation repair and house bolting. Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model - no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home.  The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com.

Posted via web from julianconstruction's posterous