SAN PEDRO, CA: Silva Construction (www.silvaconstruction.com), a construction and remodeling company in the South Bay area of Southern California, recently took time to answer some common questions about the earthquake retrofitting process. The California construction company has been in the construction and remodeling business for over 40 years and has much experience in this area. Dave Silva, co-owner of Silva Construction, offered answers to some of the most common questions the company gets on the subject of earthquake retrofitting:
What is earthquake retrofitting?
“Earthquake retrofitting is the process of upgrading the fittings that connect a home to its foundation. In extreme cases it would also include repairing the foundation if damage is already present. This is done so that a home can better withstand the damage from an earthquake, as it has often been observed that homes which have been properly retrofitted are left standing after an earthquake, whereas homes that have had no retrofitting can become so damaged that the homeowners have to relocate.”
When is earthquake retrofitting needed?
“The most common reason a home needs retrofitting for its foundation is it’s an older home. Homes built before 1980 often need retrofitting, and homes built before 1940 uniformly need to be brought up to modern code. Buildings in an area that more frequently experiences earthquakes may need routine inspection to see if there is any structural damage, though a properly retrofitted home is more likely to withstand earthquakes and not need further maintenance.”
Are some homes more in need of earthquake retrofitting than others?
“It is entirely dependent on the age of the home, due to changes in building codes, and the quality of the original foundation fittings. If a home’s foundation was built to proper code and with good quality materials, it may not need retrofitting. Ask a qualified expert for an inspection if you’re uncertain.”
How long does earthquake retrofitting usually take?
“It can take about 2-3 days, though this varies depending on the job.”
How much does earthquake retrofitting usually cost?
“Retrofitting a home for earthquake preparedness can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 as an average, though there are cases which cost less or more than this. It is entirely dependent on the state of the current house and the amount of work needed. In our experience, the cost of retrofitting a home to be prepared for an earthquake is MUCH less than the cost of repairing an earthquake-damaged home foundation.”
Dave Silva and David Clarke are owners of Silva Construction, Inc., located in San Pedro, CA. The company has over 40 years of experience in remodeling construction, and serves Southern California’s South Bay area, including Westchester, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, San Pedro, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Harbor City, Lomita, Torrance, and other select areas. Their blog can be seen at https://www.silvaconstruction.com/blog3/ and their website can be seen at https://www.silvaconstruction.com/. They can be reached at 310-831-6310.
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