FOUNDATION RETROFITTING
WHAT IS SEISMIC (EARTHQUAKE) RETROFITTING?
- Seismic retrofitting is the modification of existing structures, such as foundations, to make them more resistant to seismic activity or soil failure due to earthquakes.
WHY IS RETROFITTING NECESSARY?
-Seismic retrofitting is essential to a safe and earthquake ready home. A retrofit home will have far less risk of movement or damage in the event of an earthquake or soil shift.
HAS MY HOME BEEN RETROFITTED?
-Generally speaking, homes built before 1979 were reinforced with little to no seismic hardware due to the building codes in place at the time. A quick but detailed inspection of the foundation will let you know if your home has been retrofitted, and if it is currently up to building standards in regard to seismic building code.
FOUNDATION REPAIR
The structural reliability of your home is only as good as the foundation it is built on. At BOLTDOWN we do a detailed inspection of your foundation and come up with the best solution for your specific home.
WHY A STRUCTURALLY SOUND FOUNDATION IS SO ESSENTIAL.
-The foundation prevents your home from settlement by properly distributing the weight of the home's structure. Foundation damage occurs when shifting soils, expansion, contraction, and drainage problems cause your foundation to settle. Foundation settlement is the cause for cracked foundations, sloping floors, gaps in windows/doors, and many other issues including your home's safety being compromised.
WHAT ARE SIGNS THAT MY HOME NEEDS FOUNDATION REPAIR?
Cracks in exterior walls or foundation walls
Sinking foundation ad sloping floors
Doors and windows not shutting properly
A damp crawlspace in a raised floor foundation
WHY SHOULD I REPAIR MY FOUNDATION?
1. CRACKS IN YOUR WALLS OR FOUNDATION EXPOSE YOUR HOME AND FOUNDATION TO MOISTURE DAMAGE.
-A cracked foundation offers areas for water to seep in and present problems in the future. Exposure to water can corrode the reinforcing steel that gives your foundation tensile strength. Once corroded your foundation does not retain the structural reliability once did.
2. A DAMAGED FOUNDATION GENERALLY GETS WORSE OVER TIME.
-Generally speaking foundation issues start small and become more severe over time. At first, you may notice only small cracks or slight sloping in the floors. Over time, if the cause of this damage is not addressed, it will continue to displace your foundation.
The more your foundation shifts, the larger the cracks become weakening the entire structure and resulting in the cost of repairing your house to increase as well as affecting the safety of your home.
3. IN CALIFORNIA MANY HOMES EXPERIENCE FOUNDATION SHIFTING DUE TO EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING SOIL.
-Expanding and contracting soil is very common all over the US and especially in the Los Angeles and Southern California area. Expansive soil is less densely compacted soil that is susceptible to movement when it absorbs water, when is dries, and when temperatures greatly vary. As the soil beneath your home expands and contracts, it causes your foundation to shift, sometimes cracking your foundation from extreme pressure or continual movement. In many cases a relatively simple solution can greatly improve a foundation issue, but sometimes a more in depth solution is required to restore the structural reliability of your home's foundation.
See BOLTDOWNS Book A Quote page to schedule an appointment with one of our certified specialists.