Earthquake Retrofitting | Seismic Upgrades

Earthquake
Retrofitting

Many homes in the Washington and Oregon regions aren’t constructed to accommodate seismic activity. That’s because the Seattle Fault wasn’t identified until 1992. Therefore, people living in this seismically active region who own an older home are at risk. There’s a high chance that your home isn’t built to current seismic codes.

Retrofitting homes involves upgrading existing structures with modern technology and materials. That’s where earthquake retrofitting comes into play. Even a minor seismic event could cause your home to shift off the foundation. It’s vital to take action, so schedule seismic retrofitting services with TerraFirma and safeguard your home in case of an earthquake.

Reasons to
retrofit your home

  • You reside in a high-risk, active seismic zone.
  • You want earthquake retrofitting to improve your home’s strength.
  • You want your home to act as a shelter after an earthquake.
  • You want to potentially reduce earthquake repair costs, insurance premiums, and deductibles.
  • You want to reduce earthquake insurance premiums and deductibles.
  • You want to potentially qualify for earthquake insurance if your home isn’t currently eligible.
tf seismic zone 1 retrofit
tf earthquake common signs retrofit

What are common signs of earthquake vulnerabilities?

The following are the most common home issues to look out for in Portland, Salem, Roseburg, and the Seattle-Tacoma areas:

tf unreinforced brick retrofit
Masonry like brick, tile, adobe, or decorative rock must be reinforced with bracings like rebar to withstand an earthquake. Unsupported load-bearing walls, exteriors, and other structures like chimneys are especially vulnerable to collapse.
Unreinforced Brick or Concrete Block
tf cripple walls retrofit
Cripple walls are short, vertical wooden boards that support the floor. In an earthquake, unreinforced cripple walls can sway from side to side or cause the house to fall. Expansion bolts, framing anchors, and foundation bolting can prevent a cripple wall from collapsing.
Cripple Walls
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Sheathing is a layer of plywood that is nailed over the studs of your home, providing a solid surface upon which to nail tar paper, shingles, and siding. In addition to providing much-needed insulation, sheathing keeps the building from shifting in an earthquake.
Lack of Sheathing
tf unsecured foundation retrofit
When a home is not secured, an earthquake can cause it to slide off its foundation, rupturing gas lines, causing fires and other structural damages. A quick visual inspection can often reveal whether your home is secure: Look out for thick bolts and anchor plates that connect the frame to the concrete foundation in your crawl space or basement.
Unsecured Foundation
tf unsecured appliances retrofit
Appliance feed lines are particularly susceptible to breakage when unsecured equipment moves during a quake. Strapping your water heater to the wall or floor, and installing seismic protection for your gas meter can go a long way toward minimizing damage.
Unsecured Appliances
efflorescence small retrofit
Do you think something could be wrong with your foundation? Take a walk around the perimeter of your home. Do you see numerous small cracks in the foundation, or maybe even large ones? Is the concrete flaking off or crumbling in certain places?
Foundation Problems

Schedule your free
Earthquake Evaluation

Schedule your free
Earthquake Evaluation

TERRAFIRMA IN ACTION

Homeowners in the Pacific Northwest know we live in an active seismic zone.
A little preparedness will go a long way to protecting your home and your family in the event of an earthquake.


HOMES RETROFITTED & HOMEOWNERS PROTECTED

Don’t take our word for it – see what our clients have to say.
From Roseburg to Eugene, Portland to Seattle, our earthquake retrofitting work speaks for itself

6/25/2024Seeing I did a review 2 months ago.. I am unable to make a new one- here is the update for the work we did!6/21-6/24/2024 Work started and completed by TerraFirma!We do not even know what to say, THANK YOU WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH, You all went Way above and beyond expectations. I added pictures.To the Friday crew, to install a piering system, Jake, Aden, Steven (sorry if I spelled it wrong) what can we say, from start to finish this team was a well oiled machine, worked really really well together, put up with my husband Mark and I and all our questions and chit chat. The time that was taken to ensure EVERYTHING was going right, was explained and to ensure the safety of our home was just awesome. We had a lot of fun with these guys in conversation and jokes. When all the work was done, you could not even tell anyone was at the house working all day. These 3 great guys were some of the most fun and charismatic group we have had at the house in years. 🙂 Last but not least.... Jake you are a wonderful teacher to the crew, you have great leadership and a pretty awesome work ethic.Monday with Robert for the leveling of the driveway, walkway and stairs to front door. Working for TerraFirma for 2.5 years, Robert showed much skill and patience, as he worked alone and took his time to ensure that the proper amounts of polyfill was being pushed into all the tiny little holes he drilled all over the place. A tedious process and Robert defiantly has the patience for this part. I asked lots of questions and was pleased with all the knowledge. Again, a crew member that went above and beyond to ensure that what we expected was completed.Robert's ability to close the gaps, level a drive way that had repairs 2 times prior and failed and seeing the garage door with no gapping really blew our minds! We truly could not be happier with the outcome. Towards the end of the day, Jon, a field Supervisor came by to help with the concrete work to fill in the pier holes in the garage. Jon was just the nicest and in the short amount of time he was at our home helping, he was knowledgeable and we had great conversation while he helped with the perfect concreate work! Looks good Jon, Thank you!My family and I would like to say, the longest part was waiting for permits once the work started, it went quick, it was done RIGHT, we are truly 100% satisfied with the outcome. Hands down will recommend TerraFirma to anyone that we know needs this kind of work done on their home.THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!******************************************************************original post:My family and I are just getting started and can not wait to see what the end results are. For now I am rating what I KNOW with 5 stars and wish I could give more. If the work, the work ethic, the understanding and the compassion towards customers follows through this entire project the way it has just begun, I will tell you, I will brag on this company all day long!!I came across TerraFirma at the Tacoma Trade show March 2024. I spoke with both Samuel and Tulane regarding the issues at our home in South Hill Puyallup. I filled out a form, was contacted later the following week to schedule a FREE Estimate and had Samuel come to our home. Thinking we would just show him a couple things and Sam would be in and out in 30 mins, my husband and I were almost confused and very IMPRESSED with the 2.5 hour inspection, overview, breakdown of cost and mapping per say of the work area for our home. We found out and were educated on the scale of " oh S**t that is going on and that there was more to our project than a sinking driveway. Sam was beyond respectable and patient 😉 especially when listening to my concerns and questions on the what is next... and the cost of the what's next.We have now put down our deposit for work to be completed, due to permits that are needed, work can be up to 4 months out now, so Pierce county, please hurry... ;-)From our family to TerraFirma.... we look forward to working with you all soon.
Our experience with TerraFirma was exceptional from the very beginning. From lifting and leveling our front sidewalk; to stabilizing our garage foundation the experience was positive and the teams so efficient. Sammy our project manager was always available for questions and information. Thank you! Oscar C., Jorge J. And Diego you rock.
Had a great experience. Bryna was my project manager and was amazing. She explained the process, the needed items to complete prior to work, and followed up once the job was completed. Casey was my installer and was highly competent and answered all of my many questions. He did a fabulous job re-leveling my back patio, which had settled since the home was built. He also leveled the walk on the side of my house and the front porch, which had also settled over the years. I am very pleased with the results and the value added back into my home.
TerraFirma had sent a very nice gentleman come out to my house, his name was Seth Cunningham. He was very polite and thorough about his job. Great service. I would recommend this service.
I don’t usually do reviews but in this case people should know this is a first class company. Great communications and no selling you on something you don’t need. John was very professional, he spent time with us expanding what issues he did find, measured the level of the floors, inspected under the house and checked wall and foundation cracks. He also placed a blanket down to collect any dirt from entering and exiting the crawl space inside the house. I highly recommend John from the Eugene office and TerraFirma.
Excellent team! Great attention to detail. Courteous, eager to please!
Great company to work with. Honest and up front the whole way through. I appreciate the time Seth took to explain each option to me. I would recommend using then if you have issues under your home...
My 50 yr old house was beginning to slide down and sideways off the hill. Terra Firma fixed it! The warranty is for 75 years, and goes with the house, so future owners are protected. Professional hard working people. Recommend them 100%.
TerraFirma raised a settled front porch on our rental property in Olympia. Raised it almost 6". That went just as discussed, no surprises and obviously...
Extremely professional, and above and beyond in their work.
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EARTHQUAKE RETROFITTING HOMEOWNER QUESTIONS

How can I assure my home IS ready for an earthquake?

WILL EARTHQUAKE RETROFITTING REDUCE THE COST OF EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE?