I am often asked if seismic retrofitting is a practical or worthy expense to invest in a house. The best way I have come to answer the question is keeping in mind a few facts from our past earthquakes. The 1906 quake was a 7.9 and lasted somewhere between 60-90 seconds. The Loma Prieta quake lasted about 8-15 seconds and was a 6.9. The power is a huge factor however the duration is just as critical given that when a house starts to move a around the longer it moves and the more force that is added to it can cause a house to fail. So a seismic retrofit can benefit a home not only during a seismic event but also bring peace of mind that when we go to bed at night we have taken a major step to protect our family. So my answer is yes it is worth the expense given all the unknowns to retrofit your house.
