Category: Uncategorized

Earthquakes are major natural disasters that can cause considerable damage if unprepared. It is important to understand the appropriate safety precautions for earthquake preparedness, especially for those living near Shoreline. These include creating an emergency kit and knowing how to shut off your earthquake and seismic gas shut-off valves.

Here are some tips on staying safe during an earthquake:

Creating an Emergency Kit 

The first step in preparing for an earthquake is having an emergency kit. This should include items like food, water, a flashlight with extra batteries, any necessary medications, a first aid kit, and other items that you may need in an emergency.

It’s also important to have copies of all essential documents like birth certificates, insurance policies, and other personal items in case they get damaged or lost due to the earthquake. Every household should have a designated safe place where everyone can go until the shaking stops. Once the shaking subsides, it is then safe to evacuate the area if needed. 

Shutting off Your Gas Main 

In addition to having an emergency kit ready, it is also necessary to know how to shut off your gas main in case of a natural disaster like an earthquake. Shutting off your gas main will depend on whether you have manual or automatic valves installed in your home or business. If you have manual valves installed (often referred to as “gate valves”), these must be turned by hand using either a flathead screwdriver or an adjustable wrench. 

To turn them off completely, turn the valve clockwise until it stops turning; this ensures that no more gas will flow into your home or business from the main line outside your property. If you have installed automatic valves (often called “ball valves”), they can be turned off remotely from inside your home or business by pressing a button or switch near the valve. 

Earthquakes can cause significant destruction if you are not adequately prepared beforehand. Taking steps such as creating an emergency kit and learning how to shut off your earthquake and seismic gas shut-off valves can help ensure that you stay safe during a disastrous event. Contact Evergreen Seismic today and take the correct precautionary measures before disaster strikes! You can significantly reduce earthquake risks near Shoreline and protect yourself and your family members from harm’s way! Get in touch today to learn more about our seismic services!

In light of recent events in Seattle, the importance of seismic retrofitting specialists has come into focus for most residents. Seismic retrofitting is the process of strengthening a building or structure to withstand an earthquake better.

This is done by assessing the vulnerability of the building and making changes to the foundation, framing, and/or walls to make the structure more stable and less likely to collapse.

Seismic retrofitting is an important consideration for any business or homeowner in an earthquake-prone area. Though the upfront cost of retrofitting can be significant, it is nothing compared to rebuilding after a disaster. 

In addition to the financial considerations, there is also a very real human cost to consider. A collapsed building can result in serious injuries or even loss of life. By retrofitting your building now, you can help protect your employees, customers, and family in the event of an earthquake.

How Seismic Retrofitting Is Done

There are several ways to retrofit a building, depending on the structure’s specific needs. The most common methods include the following:

    Foundation bolting: This involves attaching the home’s frame to its foundation with large bolts or steel plates. This helps to prevent the frame from shifting during an earthquake and collapsing. 

    Bracing cripple walls: Cripple walls are short walls that run along the perimeter of a home between the foundation and the first-floor framing. These walls can be strengthened by adding plywood or sheathing along their length. This helps to prevent them from buckling during an earthquake. 

    Adding sway bracing: Sway bracing helps to stabilize a building by connecting the roof rafters to the wall studs. This provides additional support that helps keep the building from swaying during an earthquake. 

    Reinforcing attic and garage doors: Attic and garage doors are often overlooked when it comes to seismic retrofitting, but they can be one of the weakest points in a building’s structure.

By reinforcing these doors with additional bracing, you can help prevent them from flying open during an earthquake and causing damage to the rest of the building. 

Evergreen Seismic Has the Seismic Solutions

Don’t take chances when protecting your home or business from earthquakes—use Evergreen Seismic for all your seismic retrofitting needs in Seattle, WA! We’re the leading seismic retrofitting specialists in the area and have customer reviews to back it up. Contact us today to learn more about our services!

As a homeowner, it’s essential to be aware of the structural integrity of your home—especially if you live in an area prone to earthquakes like Monroe. One way to ensure that your home can withstand an earthquake is to retrofit it by a specialist. But how do earthquake retrofitting specialists access the structural integrity of older homes? Let’s take a look:

How Earthquake Retrofitting Specialists Assess Foundations

One of the ways that earthquake retrofitting specialists access structural integrity is by looking at a home’s foundation. The foundation is one of the most important parts of a house and is also one of the most vulnerable to damage during an earthquake. 

To assess the condition of a foundation, specialists will often use a technique called ground penetrating radar. This allows them to see beneath the ground surface and identify areas where the foundation may be weak or cracked.

How Earthquake Retrofitting Specialists Assess Framing

Another way earthquake retrofitting specialists access structural integrity is by looking at the framing of a house. Framing is responsible for supporting the weight of the house, and it is also one of the most likely parts of a house to collapse during an earthquake. 

To assess the condition of framing, specialists will often use a technique called infra-red thermography. This allows them to identify areas where the framing may be weakened or damaged.

As Monroe’s most trusted earthquake retrofitting specialist, Evergreen Seismic deeply understands the structural challenges that older homes face. We apply this knowledge to every assessment, providing homeowners with a clear picture of their home’s seismic safety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can protect your home from the next earthquake we face.

In earthquake-prone areas like Seattle, it’s crucial to take precautions to ensure that newly constructed structures can resist the tremors. One of the best ways to do this is by using earthquake and seismic fastening.

Builders must take the time to learn about the benefits of earthquake and seismic fastening to properly protect their homes and businesses.

Reduces Damage To The Building

Reduced building damage is one of the most essential benefits of earthquake and seismic fastening.

This is due to the fastening’s role in retaining the building’s parts and reducing the likelihood of accidental damage caused by their movement and/or collision. When it comes to post-earthquake repairs, this can be a huge money saver.

Prevents Collapses

Using earthquake and seismic fastening also helps ensure that structures stay standing in the case of an earthquake. This is because the fastening is vital in keeping the building’s various parts in place.

Without the fastening, the building could collapse in on itself, causing significant injury or death to everybody inside.

Reduces Noise Pollution

In addition to preventing collapse and damage, earthquake and seismic fastening helps reduce decibel levels. Noises like cracking and groaning can be produced by poorly secured buildings when they shift during an earthquake, which is obviously problematic.

This can be pretty unsettling when people attempt to stay calm during an emergency, but if the structures are securely fastened, there won’t be any shaking or noise.

Get the Latest Seismic Protection

When it comes to earthquake and seismic fastening in Seattle, there’s no company more qualified than Evergreen Seismic. We are also constantly innovating, and our products are regularly updated to ensure they meet the latest building codes and standards. Evergreen Seismic is the obvious choice if you’re looking for the best possible earthquake and seismic protection. Contact us today to learn more!

Earthquakes are a fact of life in King County. While most quakes are minor and cause little or no damage, the potential for a significant earthquake is always there. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared. Here are some tips on staying safe during an earthquake and adequately utilizing your earthquake and seismic gas shutoff valves.

During an Earthquake

If you’re inside when an earthquake hits, you should first drop to the ground and take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture. If there’s nothing nearby that you can use for cover, get down low and protect your head and neck with your hands and arms. Once you’re in a safe position, hold on until the shaking stops.

If you’re outside, move away from buildings, power lines, and anything else that could fall on you. Once you’re in a safe spot, drop to the ground and assume the same position as if you were inside. Again, hold on until the shaking stops.

After an Earthquake

Once the shaking has stopped, check yourself for injuries and check on others who may need help. If you smell gas or see sparks or fires, evacuate immediately and don’t turn any lights on or off or use anything electrical until you’re well away from the source of the danger. Only return home when authorities say it’s safe to do so. 

Shutting Off Your Gas

If your home has suffered damage during an earthquake, your gas line may have been ruptured. If you smell gas or see sparks or flames coming from any appliances that use gas (stoves, water heaters, etc.), shut off your gas immediately. 

To do this, locate your home’s main shutoff valve—usually near the meter—and turn it to the “off” position. Once the valve is turned off, don’t turn it back on yourself; only a qualified professional should do that.

Evergreen Seismic is Washington’s Trusted Earthquake Specialist

There is no way to predict when an earthquake will occur. That’s why it’s crucial to have a gas shutoff valve before an earthquake hits. In an earthquake, this will cut off your home’s gas supply, protecting you from potential explosions and flames.

With years of experience, Evergreen Seismic is a leading provider of earthquake and seismic gas shutoff valves in King County. We offer a wide range of products to suit all budgets and requirements, and our team of experts is always on hand to provide advice and support. So if you’re looking for peace of mind in an earthquake, don’t hesitate to contact Evergreen Seismic today!

Do you live in an area that is at risk for earthquakes—like Seattle, WA? If so, your home may be at risk, too. Seismic retrofitting specialists can help make your home safer in the event of an earthquake by reinforcing its structure. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of the dangers of seismically unsafe buildings. 

Dangers of Seismically Unsafe Buildings

There are many dangers associated with seismically unsafe buildings. First and foremost, these buildings are at a higher risk of collapsing during an earthquake. This can lead to serious injuries or even death for those inside the building. In addition, seismically unsafe buildings can cause damage to neighboring structures, and they can pose a danger to rescue personnel. 

Of course, the best way to protect against these dangers is to prevent them from happening in the first place. That’s where seismic retrofitting comes in—the process of reinforcing a building’s structure to make it better able to withstand the forces of an earthquake. This can be done by adding bracing or shear walls, installing foundation bolts, or increasing the size of floor and roof joists.

Why Seismic Retrofitting Specialists Are in Demand

The demand for seismic retrofitting specialists has increased significantly in recent years as more and more people have become aware of the dangers posed by unsafe buildings. Seismic retrofitting is not something that can be done by just anyone; it requires special training and skills.

How You Can Ensure Your Building Is Safe

If you’re responsible for a building, there are steps you can take to make sure it is safe in case of an earthquake. The first step is to have it inspected by a qualified engineer to determine whether it meets current seismic safety standards. 

If it doesn’t, retrofitting may be necessary. It’s important to note that retrofitting should only be done by qualified professionals; attempting to do it yourself could actually make the situation worse.

Evergreen Seismic Knows the Dangers of Unsafe Buildings

Earthquakes are a very real danger in many parts of the world, especially in Seattle, WA, and it’s crucial to be prepared in the event of one. Unfortunately, many buildings are not up to code and could collapse during an earthquake, putting lives at risk. Our seismic retrofitting specialists can strengthen your structure and make it much safer in an earthquake. Contact Evergreen Seismic today to learn more about our services and how we can help protect your property from the dangers of earthquakes.