5 Ways to Earthquake-Proof Your House
No one wants to think about their home being destroyed by an earthquake, but it’s important to be prepared for the worst. While there’s no guarantee that your home will be completely safe from damage if an earthquake hits, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk. In this blog post, we’ll cover four ways to earthquake-proof your house.
Strengthen Your Foundation
The first and most important step you can take to earthquake-proof your house is to make sure your foundation is strong. If your foundation is weak, the rest of your house will be at a greater risk of collapsing during an earthquake. Have your foundation checked regularly by a professional to ensure it’s in good condition and up to code; if not, make sure any necessary building foundation repair or upgrades are made right away. These may include adding additional support beams, anchors, or reinforced concrete footings.
Anchor Heavy Objects
Another way to help protect your home from damage during an earthquake is to anchor heavy objects such as bookcases, cabinets, and water heaters. These objects can fall and cause serious damage or even injuries if they’re not properly secured.
Install Seismic Shutters
Seismic shutters are special window coverings that can help prevent glass from shattering during an earthquake. If you live in an area that’s prone to earthquakes, installing seismic shutters is a good idea. Not only does it prevent you from having to replace the windows, but it also can prevent injuries caused by loose glass shards.
Use Flexible Connections for Gas and Water Lines
One of the most common ways homes are damaged during earthquakes is by gas and water lines breaking. To help prevent this from happening, use flexible connections for these lines instead of rigid ones. This way, if the ground moves during an earthquake, the lines will be able to flex with it and are less likely to break.
Brace Garage Doors
Garage doors are often damaged in earthquakes because they’re not securely fastened to their frames. To help prevent this type of damage, you can install braces that attach the garage door tracks to the ceiling joists. This will help keep the garage door from being ripped off its hinges and collapsing during an earthquake. Most hardware stores sell these types of braces, and they’re usually pretty easy to install yourself.
Conclusion
No one wants to think about their home being destroyed by an earthquake, but it’s important to be prepared for the worst, especially if you live in a seismically active area. By taking some simple precautions such as strengthening your foundation, anchoring heavy objects, installing seismic shutters, using flexible connections, and bracing your garage door, you can help minimize the risk of damage to your home if an earthquake occurs. These precautions will give you much less to worry about in the stressful event of an earthquake.
