How To Make Your Home Earthquake-Proof

​It's critical to be prepared in the event of a disaster. An earthquake, for example. Provide a house assessment for structural flaws that could make it more prone to damage, and have it earthquake-proof.

Earthquake-Proof Your Home
If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, it's important to take precautions to ensure your home is as safe as possible. Here are a few tips for earthquake-proofing your home.

Secure Your Foundation
The mudsill, the wood that lies on top of the foundation in older structures, may not be bolted down. This might force your home to fall off its foundation during an earthquake, inflicting serious structural damage. You can place anchor bolts to keep everything in place to avoid this.

Your Chimney Should Be Retrofitted
Brick chimneys were responsible for 50% of all property destruction. They frequently collide with surrounding homes and cars when they fall, injuring onlookers.

That's why it's critical to replace your chimney's materials with safer options. One alternative is to install diagonal steel bracing to reinforce the bricks. 

Support Cripple Walls
Cripple walls support your home's floor and outer walls by sitting on the foundation. If they are not adequately braced, they may displace during an earthquake. To reinforce them and improve your home's earthquake resilience, utilize structural plywood panels and framing clips.

Reinforce Your Windows
During an earthquake, windows can break, releasing sharp glass fragments that could harm your family. Installing protective film over the windows, which will help stabilize the glass together if it breaks, is an inexpensive option to avoid this. It costs a few dollars per square foot, saving money on labor by installing it yourself.

Strengthen Your Garage Door
If your garage has a level above it, it is prone to earthquake damage. The rooms above your garage door may collapse without additional reinforcement since it provides less structural strength than a regular wall. You can reinforce your garage door by bracing it with steel or plywood to make it more resistant to seismic forces.

Prepare Home Systems
It's also critical to ensure that your home's systems are earthquake-ready. Because of the shaking, your gas and water lines may become disconnected, resulting in flooding and gas leakage. A skilled plumber can install flexible connections to prevent these lines from being yanked out during natural catastrophes.

Consider purchasing a natural gas shut-off valve. Detecting seismic activity of a specific magnitude will automatically deactivate the line. Tankless water hearts are less likely to leak.

Conclusion
Earthquake-proofing your home is an important step for you and your family's safety. By following the tips in this article, you can make your home more resilient to earthquakes and lessen the damage that they may cause. 

At Appletree Insurance, we do our best in making sure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (603) 881-9900 or Click Here to request a free quote. The coverage discussed in this article is not guaranteed. Please call our agents, we are happy to help you learn more about your plan and make sure you have the coverage you need.