Seismic Retrofit How To Prepare A House For An Earthquake

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor traveled to Portland, Oregon to help one resident retrofit her home to protect it from earthquake damage.

How to Retrofit a House for an Earthquake

Resources:While the specialty hardware that was used to secure the house to the foundation can be found at most home centers, determining the proper location for that hardware may require a consultation with an engineer. The seismic gas shutoff valve installed was a Northridge Valve, which is manufactured by Seismic Safety Products. Gas work is extremely dangerous and should always be left to licensed professionals. The museum putty used to secure valuables to the shelves is manufactured by QuakeHOLD. Expert assistance with this project was provided by NW Seismic and Christopher Higgins.

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