QuakeConsult
The purpose of this service is to give clients peace of mind: the peace of mind that comes from having critical information.
You will learn about the adequacy of your house’s seismic connection to the foundation. The majority of homes in the Bay area are considered “old.” If your home has not had a seismic retrofit, it is automatically unsafe in a serious earthquake. More importantly and largely unknown:
Your home has been retrofitted? Maybe. One of the leading and most respected retrofitters in this area says that at least 30% of his work is on homes that have been retrofitted incorrectly. An incorrect retrofit often makes a home more susceptible to damage than it was before. To learn the elements of a retrofit, visit http://www.bayarearetrofit.com
“I thought my foundation might need work, and Larry confirmed that. I’m getting bids for having the work done.” - Barbara Kluger
Don’t gamble your money or your life. The seismic securing of your home to the foundation is cheap! If it appears that the seismic securing of your house to the foundation is dangerously inadequate, it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars to repair after a serious quake, even if you have quake insurance. The expense, of course, will seem insignificant if you or a family member is seriously injured or killed.
Nothing is more important than this when it comes to earthquake preparedness: if your home is unsafe and needs a retrofit – do it now!
With the consult, you will learn which appliances and furniture are unsafe. Not everything needs to be secured to a wall. Are you confident about what needs securing and what doesn’t? I’ll give you that information so you can do something about it. How? I’ll walk with you through the house, room by room, and we’ll discuss everything. I’ll answer your questions, so that, when we’re finished, you will know what you need to secure.
You will learn the safest places to be in your home during a serious quake. As we go room by room, we discuss the best place for you to “drop, cover, and hold on.” Every house is different, and that’s the advantage of our consulting service: we’re seeing things together, I’m answering questions, and you end up with knowledge you can act on, giving you the peace of mind you need.
“Thank you for letting me know about the safest spots in the house.”- Heather Imboden
You will learn about the gas, water, and electric cut-offs for your home. Most people know where these cut-offs are, although a few, surprisingly, don’t. The dangerous thing is that quite a few folks don’t know how to operate one or more of the cut-offs.
You will know where your cut-offs are and how to operate them. And, perhaps most important of all: I’ll make sure that the gas and water cut-offs are operable. I’ve been astounded at the number of gas cut-off valves that are frozen – they just won’t budge. This could be not only dangerous, but downright catastrophic! And not only after a quake, but there could be other emergencies where you have leaking gas and have to turn off your supply at the meter.
“It was very disconcerting when Larry discovered that our gas shut-off valve was “frozen” and wouldn’t operate. He told us how to get PG&E to fix it – very helpful!” - Carrie Blake
The charge for your personal earthquake consultation is $295.
I invite you to receive my two FREE REPORTS: Rate Yourself on Earthquake Preparedness & What Should I Do? and subscribe to my free twice-monthly “QuakeTips” email alert.