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.
Matt came out to see if our house needs a retrofit and I was absolutely blown away by his honesty, knowledge and professionalism. He advised against retrofitting our house due to the newer age of the home but did provide me with a tonne of useful information that I did not come across during my research and while speaking with other retrofit companies.