How to Earthquake-Proof Your House

For a homeowner, the prospect of a home being damaged in an earthquake is a nightmare scenario. Even if you live in an earthquake-prone neighborhood it’s possible to protect your home from damage by learning how to earthquake-proof your house.

Earthquake-Proof Your House Today: Damage-Preventing Tips

 1. Get an inspection

The first step to earthquake-proof your home is to get an inspection. Without it, it’s impossible to know what needs to be fixed. An inspection can help you understand whether or not your home is up-to-date on building regulations, and can provide a road-map for what you need to fix and improve upon down the road to better prepare your home for earthquakes.

2. Do your part to prevent moisture buildup

The most critical piece of a home in an earthquake is the foundation. This is where most damage originates and it’s one weak point that homeowners can do their part to help protect. Unbeknownst to most people, moisture one of the main culprits for foundation damage, and limiting it can help keep the foundation in good repair. To prevent water from building up around the foundation, keep all gutters clean and ensure that any rainwater that drains off of your house drains away from the house rather than under it.

3. Install cripple walls

If your house doesn’t yet have cripple walls, installing them may be wise. Built around the exterior foundation and designed to support the weight of the house, cripple walls absorb shock during an earthquake and help prevent extensive damage. Talk to a contractor about adding them to your home.

4. Install shut-off valves

Without proper shut-off valves, an earthquake can damage and cause dangerous problems with your utilities. With this in mind, hire a crew to install a shock-activated shut-off valve on your home’s gas line. In addition to preventing post-earthquake fires, this simple step can also help keep your house’s occupants and neighbors safe.

5. Secure wall decorations

Even a moderate earthquake can cause damage by knocking pictures and decorations off of the walls. With this in mind, secure heavy items to the walls and move anything like mirrors or large, framed art from above the beds.

While earthquakes are unfortunate, they’re an inevitable part of living in an earthquake-prone zone. Luckily, you can prevent and mitigate damage to your home by learning how to earthquake-proof your home today.