As our world continues to urbanize at an unprecedented pace, the number of people living in seismically active areas is rising. This means that the chance of experiencing a devastating earthquake is also increasing. However, some measures can be taken to help protect against earthquake damage — such as retrofitting buildings to improve their seismic performance. Seismic foundation retrofitting in Seattle is the process of strengthening a structure to have a better chance of withstanding the shaking caused by an earthquake.
The goal is to reduce the damage that an earthquake can cause and ensure that the building remains functional after the event. Many different techniques can be used for seismic retrofitting, and the most appropriate approach will depend on the type of building and its existing condition.
Seismic Foundation Retrofitting: Will You Be Ready?
Standard seismic retrofit methods include adding bracing or shear walls, installing base isolation systems, and retrofitting column capital beams. When done correctly, seismic retrofitting can significantly reduce the risk of damage during an earthquake. Retrofitting is often required by building codes in areas of high seismic risk and is also usually recommended for older buildings that were not designed to withstand earthquakes.
In many cases, retrofitting can add years to the life of a building and help to protect the safety of occupants during an earthquake.
We Can Fix Your Foundation Without Breaking the Bank
As our world becomes increasingly vulnerable to seismic activity, it is crucial to be prepared. Seismic foundation retrofitting is one way to help protect against earthquake damage. It should be seriously considered by those who live in seismically active areas — especially in Seattle, WA. Evergreen Seismic can assess your property and fill you in on how you can keep your property — and, more importantly, your family — safe from earthquake damage. Call us at (206) 984-2580.
Evergreen Seismic was amazing to work with. Matt was quick to respond to our initial query, and took the time to walk us through the process and answer questions when he came out to look at the house. His bid was very clear and thorough. He's also a great communicator and made the whole process extremely smooth once we decided to go forward. We really appreciated that nothing felt rushed or unexpected. The crew here doing the work was considerate, patient with any questions we had, and kept us updated every day about what was going on. They did a really great job retrofitting our basement and crawl space and took care of some necessary repairs as well. We were lucky enough to have Evergreen recommended to us, so passing on the recommendation now! We would hire them again with zero reservations.