Living in California means an Earthquake could occur at any time! Have you considered how damaging these tremors can be for your home? Earthquakes can cause extensive damage to buildings, but many homeowners don't know the full extent of it.
You should take all necessary safety precautions and equip yourself with knowledge of how an earthquake can affect your home. To safeguard your household, learn what can happen to your home during an earthquake.
Foundation Damage
Your home’s foundation might sustain the most severe and expensive damage from earthquakes. Seismic activity can crack a foundation and threaten your home’s structural integrity. Take precautions before an earthquake by inspecting the foundation and your home’s plumbing after quakes, and have it fixed if needed.
Wall Damage
During an earthquake, the walls of your home can crack or shift. This damage can signify severe issues, including foundation problems. When the walls shift, pipelines may break, and water can leak through gaps in the walls. Repairs to the wall can be expensive, especially if you’re unprepared. To prevent serious damage, reinforce the walls with bolts and plywood sheathing and take steps to prevent water damage.
Roof Damage
Earthquakes can cause a chain reaction of problems that end up affecting your roof. This can result in leaks, shifted walls, cracked windows, and broken foundations. Roofing shingles can sustain damage during an earthquake, tiles can break, and parts of your roof may fall off! Consider installing roofing materials rated for earthquake protection in order to protect your household during seismic activity, and fix your roof as soon as any damage occurs.
Active Power Failure
Earthquakes can cause power outages that last for an extended period. In some cases, the entire power grid for your city can sustain damage, and the repairs may take days or weeks. You can take precautions for a blackout by stocking up on fuel for your backup generator. For more reliable energy, consider installing a solar power system with a battery to keep essential appliances running during a natural disaster.
Understanding the potential damages that an earthquake can cause to your home allows California residents to prepare for the worst. With these tips, you can minimize the damage to your home when an earthquake occurs. You should update safety upgrades to your home and consider investing in earthquake insurance. Contact an Anaheim insurance company for affordable coverage during times of need.