Seismic Savvy Home Inspector

🔵 It’s official. Signed at 8:16 PM. It was even on TV. Mine really turned blue. Don't forget that tomorrow starts the new Facebook rule (aka... new name, META) where they can use your photos. Don't forget the deadline is today!!!

I do not authorize META, Facebook or any entity associated with Facebook to use my photos, information, messages or posts, past or future.
With this statement, I notify Facebook that
it is strictly prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. Violation of privacy may be punishable by law.

Here's how to do it:
Hold your finger anywhere in this message and “copy” will appear. Click “copy”. Then go to your page, create a new post and place your finger anywhere in the empty field. “Paste” will appear and click Paste.
This will bypass the system….

He who does nothing consents.

You can't count on pro framers to know the nuances of shear walling. Fortunately, the panel wasn't nailed yet but it had to be repurposed. Can you identify the cardinal sin before I tell you what it is?

Check this 1912 foundation. Lots of stones, 12" wide. Some crumbly spots. How would you report on it? Do you think it could handle a retrofit? Would it be worthwhile?

New building code requires attachment of the posts to beam and footing but in terms of retrofitting, this would be a waste of money. Can you figure out why? Hint: look at the foundation.

The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake devastated the San Francisco area. There became several ghost towns due to the massive damage. Yet the retrofitted houses survived very well, some with no damage at all. Always a good example to share with prospective customers.

This is a crawlspace with a cripple wall and this is just the top of it. What do you see that could be problematic in an earthquake? Would you normally make anything of it?

These are the three main components of a retrofit. If you only had the budget to do one of them, which do you think will benefit your house most in an earthquake?

It's been said and many may believe that "homes built after 1970 should perform well due to modern seismic building code." Does anyone recall a code amendment to allow an alternative to bolts during the 80s and 90s? Comment below if you know what I'm referring to.

The problem with this is that Home Inspectors have had no access to seismic training. It hasn't existed. That's about to change. You'll be hearing about it any time now. Stay tuned.