Earthquakes are natural disasters that have the power to cause severe damage to buildings and homes. The only way homeowners can protect themselves is by taking safety measures to ensure the structural integrity of their homes.

One of the measures homeowners can take is to install QuakeShield.

What is QuakeShield?

QuakeShield is a seismic retrofitting system that helps prevent damage to homes during earthquakes. The system comprises of adjustable steel brackets that are anchored to the foundation of the home and connected to the wooden framing above it.

The brackets strengthen the connection between the foundation and the framing, making the home more resistant to earthquakes.

How Does QuakeShield Work?

QuakeShield works by increasing the shear strength of the house during an earthquake.

The system creates a continuous load path from the roof down to the foundation, distributing the seismic forces throughout the structure, preventing concentrated damage to specific areas. By reducing these concentrated damages, the system significantly reduces the cost of repairing damages from an earthquake.

Types of QuakeShield Systems

There are two types of QuakeShield systems: QuakeShield Classic and QuakeShield Plus.

The QuakeShield Classic system is an entry-level system ideal for homes with standard foundations, whereas the QuakeShield Plus system is designed for homes with more complex designs like those built on hillsides. Both systems are designed to provide increased seismic resistance, but the QuakeShield Plus is better suited to unique and larger buildings.

Benefits of QuakeShield

Protecting your home with QuakeShield comes with numerous benefits, and some of them include:.

It provides maximum protection against earthquake damage.
It is a cost-effective way to protect your home from natural disasters.
It increases the value of your home because it has an improved safety profile.
It reduces insurance premiums for homeowners insurance policies.
The system is easy to install, taking only a few hours to install in most cases.

Why Is QuakeShield Necessary?

Earthquakes are dangerous, and California has some of the highest earthquake activity in the world. Most homes and buildings in California are not designed to withstand moderate to high-intensity earthquakes.

When earthquakes happen, homes that don’t have adequate protection usually experience extensive damage, which often makes them unsafe to live in. Installing QuakeShield is a proactive measure homeowners can take to ensure their homes are equipped to withstand strong earthquakes.

QuakeShield Installation Process

The installation process of QuakeShield usually takes a few hours. Here are the basic steps:.

Inspect your home: Before you install QuakeShield, have a qualified contractor inspect your home to identify areas that need reinforcing.
Permits: Obtain necessary permits from your local building department for the retrofitting work, complying with the local seismic retrofit requirements.
Mounting brackets: The contractor will anchor the structural steel brackets to the foundation of the home, using bolts or epoxy anchors to fasten the bracket to the footing or stem-wall.
Joining brackets: Steel straps will be used to connect brackets to the home’s wooden framing.
Tightening bolts: The last step is to complete the tightening of the bolts connecting the brackets to the foundation and framing, depending on the type of foundation and construction of the building.

Maintaining QuakeShield

Maintaining QuakeShield is easy, and there are a few tips you can follow to ensure maximum protection of your home even after an earthquake. Here are some of the maintenance tips:.

Regularly inspect your home’s foundation and brackets for cracks and corrosion, replacing corroded brackets to prevent damage during earthquakes.
Strengthen additional areas of the home as needed. Additional strengthening may be needed if you observe uneven settling of the home or any other structural damage after an earthquake.
Ensure the steel brackets are properly fastened to the foundation and framing.
Work with a professional engineer to design a tailored maintenance program for your home’s specific needs while considering the regional seismic activity.

Conclusion

Earthquakes are unpredictable and destructive natural disasters that require homeowners to be equipped with the right safety measures. Installing QuakeShield is an effective way to protect your home against potential damage from earthquakes.

The system is affordable, easy to install, and maintain. Investing in QuakeShield means investing in the safety of your home and family.