Once you’ve lived in California for any length of time, you’ve generally experienced an earthquake of at least average size (5. 5 and above, on the Richter scale). So you know the amazing range of damage that can result from these temblors. One house seems to weather the event with very lithe effect, while its neighbor appears to have been hurt by all the wrath of mother nature. Why the difference? Often the disparity is caused by the varying skill with which the houses have been constructed. And a primary factor in these cases is if — and how well — a house has been bolted to its foundation.

What is house bolting, anyway?

Also called “foundation bolting,” house bolting it the process of firmly securing your house to its foundation. But wait, don’t all houses already include this? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Why is my house not bolted to the foundation?

First, the specifications for bolting did not even arise until the ’50s. As our understanding of the effects of earthquakes on houses increased, so did the regulations for home construction —namely, the requirement that all houses be firmly bolted to their foundations. But even if your home is not that old, it’s still possible that it’s either not bolted at all, or insufficiently bolted. This can be for any number of reasons, including the knowledge and skill set of the contractor who built the house.

What you can do

Luckily, any house can be retrofitted so that it is properly bolted to the foundation. First step. call a qualified house bolting company that knows what to look for, and can make specific determinations about what kind of bolting and reinforcement you need. This major component of earthquake retrofitting is essential in California, where earthquakes are a fact of life. When you call CXC Contracting for your free inspection, we’ll come out to your home, make a thorough examination, and give you a detailed report of our recommendations. Cripple wall bracing, hold-down brackets, foundation plates and bolts; we’re conversant with all the techniques that make your house as secure as possible against the inevitable earthquake in the future.

 

Not sure if you actually have a problem? Call us! At the very least, we’ll confirm that you have nothing to worry about.