Retrofitted homes are safer to live in, easier to sell, and help with insurance. If you are planning to reinforce your home against earthquakes, it is essential to understand the basic concepts of retrofitting. Sixty years ago, buildings were mainly designed to withstand one type of load - a gravity load, which is an up-and-down force. However, most earthquake forces are from side to side, producing what engineers call a lateral load. Thus, older buildings that were adequately designed to support gravity loads may collapse because of the lateral forces of an earthquake.

Retrofitting is a process that ties a home together. It increases the resistance to earthquake damage and the risk of injury. In other words, it significantly strengthens your home. A safe home is one that can withstand a sideways pull and is built on firm foundations. By securely fastening the house to the foundation, and securely connecting the house components together, your chances of having an earthquake permanently affect your home become less.

Installing and bolting the structure to the foundation with varying styles of foundation anchors and straps will assist in achieving safety. These anchors and straps suppress horizontal and vertical movement.