Earthquake Retrofitting
Seismic retrofitting is the process of reinforcing a building’s structure to better withstand earthquakes, typically by adding seismic-resistant features.
Seismic Retrofitting Services
For residents of Washington State, earthquakes and tremors have become a constant feature of west coast life. While most of the seismic events that occur on a regular basis are minor, the ongoing ground movement has been proven to cause significant structural damage to foundations over time. Being situated in a convergence of two major fault lines, Washington State experiences over 300 seismic events a year, 100 of which are over 6.2 on the Richter scale. The results of these seismic events can cause stress to foundations which can weaken the structural integrity of the home over time.
Leaning on decades of experience in this field, R&R Foundation Specialist can determine the best course of action to permanently strengthen foundations against this type of seismic damage. Utilizing the most advanced structural repair methods and products, R&R has developed a unique approach to these types of repairs.
Reasons To Retrofit Your Home:
- You live in an earthquake zone
- Your property will have a better chance of maintaining its structural integrity in an earthquake
- Improve your property’s resilience and durability during a seismic event
Seismic Retrofit Solutions:
- Composite reinforced panels
- Specialized seismic anchors
- Brackets to secure the home to its foundation
Get in touch with us today to schedule your no-obligation, free estimate, and secure your home in the event of an earthquake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas do you serve?
We provide expert seismic foundation inspection services in the Puget Sound area from Bellingham to Olympia – including Seattle, Everett, Bellevue, Tacoma, Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, and beyond.
Have you completed seismic retrofitting services in my area?
Yes – We service the state of Washington with a specialized focus in Western Washington, including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, Olympia, and more.
Over the years R&R has cataloged thousands of projects in Western Washington and the Pacific Northwest and gathered important geotechnical data that allows us to provide an accurate foundation assessment and repair estimate. The soil conditions in Washington can vary greatly; even just a few miles away the soil properties and makeup can be different to work with. It’s critical to the success of your foundation repair to work with experts who understand the variation in Washington’s soil types in order to prescribe the appropriate repair.
Will this work be disruptive?
Our carbon fiber bowing wall stabilization solutions are non-invasive and can be completed from the inside of the basement or crawl space. Some solutions are more invasive on your home or yard, but our team works diligently to be as minimally disruptive as possible while completing your home’s services efficiently.
Some people ask us if they can still live in the house while the reinforcement work is being completed. Since some of the work takes place in the crawl space or basement, some noise may be heard from other levels of your house. This noise is not deafening, and you will be able to continue with your life above this space. If your retrofit is in a room that has drywall on the walls you will not be able to live in that room for the duration of the repair. R&R’s priority is getting your property repaired as efficiently and quickly as possible so you can get on with your life.
If my home has survived many earthquakes in the past, is there still a need for seismic retrofitting?
Since earthquakes vary in magnitude this does not mean your building is earthquake proof. If a more powerful earthquake occurs, would your home still maintain its structural integrity? If you would like a professional opinion on the structural integrity of your home’s foundation, our design specialists can identify any possible signs of past damage and prescribe a reinforcement plan to repair and reinforce your most valuable investment.
Do I have control over what structural improvements need to be completed?
At R&R we believe in providing our clients with a clear understanding of all available repair solutions that will work with your property. Once a repair solution is determined, our aim is to make your foundation as strong and resilient as possible.
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