This home in Ladera was built in 1953, where the woodsill, on which the frame sits, was merely embedded in the wet concrete of the foundation.  In 2003, we had an earthquake hardening retrofit, which consisted of adding bolts from the frame through the sill into the foundation, shown in the top photo.

Since that 1999 retrofit, California building codes have been substantially updated, requiring much stronger reinforcement to keep the frame connected to the foundation.

California Earthquake Authority offers discounts of 20% for older homes which have been retrofitted to current standards.  The 2003 retrofit was not eligible for the discount, so we contracted with Bolt-Down the Bay Area, a company which specializes in such retrofits.

The photo on the bottom was the result of this improved foundation stabilization.  The new code requires plywood on all shearwalls, as shown, as well as heavy duty anchor bolts and hold downs, also shown.

This retrofit qualified our home for a 20% annual discount, but the real value is that the home is not likely to slip off the foundation in an earthquake.

Recommended by: David at 261 S Castanya

Installed by:  Bolt Down the Bay Area boltdownthebayarea.com