A seismic upgrade doesn’t always immediately come to mind when considering all the ways you can improve your home. But in San Francisco, it can mean the difference between returning to your home after an earthquake and having to relocate while you rebuild.
The good news is that most voluntary seismic upgrades are relatively straightforward, and you typically don’t need to move out during construction. The first step is consulting a structural engineer for a site visit. They’ll assess your home and recommend the most effective ways to strengthen it. Common improvements include installing shear walls (panels that resist lateral earthquake forces), reinforcing garage posts with proper concrete footings, bolting the house to its foundation, adding posts and improving post-to-beam connections.
If your home has a brick foundation, replacing it with a concrete foundation is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make. It’s also the most expensive—but often well worth it in the long run.
Seismic soundness is particularly important if you have two or more stories over a garage or on liquefaction.
If you’re ready to embark on an upgrade, I highly recommend contacting Matt Coelho of Hom-Pisano Engineering. Matt has consulted with several of my clients and knows his stuff.
Keep in mind that certain seismic upgrades may qualify you for insurance discounts. Check the California Earthquake Authority’s site for details, and speak with your home insurance provider to understand what discounts may apply to your specific policy.