Information on earthquakes is available from many sites. Here, the information will be kept simple and how it relates to you the homeowner-seller or home buyer, and the impact quakes have on your house.

 

 

Your own personal Safety:

1. Strap all large appliances and TV sets down or to the wall, be sure to include book cases and any large wall furniture pieces.

2. Make sure you Hot Water heater is strapped in place, this is building code now for any resale of property must have this done.

3. Know your house and where it"s safest to be, What doorway, etc., when a earthquake hits. Don't race outside, electrical lines fall down faster than homes.

4. Have 3 day supply of emergency water and canned foods available.

5. Have a emergency First Aid kit, and basic First Aid Training. Be Prepared to be Safe! Read on homeowner-buyer:

Buying or Selling a Home:

California real estate disclosure laws (Civil code, Section 1102 et seq.) requires sellers of real property to disclose known defects and deficiencies in the property - including earthquake weaknesses and hazards - to prospective purchasers.

Also when you go to buy or plan to buy or sell it is important to have available to both buyer and seller the booklet:

"The Homeowners Guide to Earthquake Safety"

The reporting from in this booklet may be used for disclosure. Also real estate agents must provide the seller of a home with a copy of this booklet for delivery to the buyer.

Another important disclosure booklet you must be given (Section 8897.5 of Goverment code) the Seismic Safety Commisions' information on geologic and seismic hazards and mitigating those hazards, called:

"The Homeowner's Seismic Guide to Earthquake Safety."

Answer these questions to the best of your knowledge about Your (New) home.

 Yes

 No

 Doesn't Apply

 Don't Know
 1. Is the water heater braced, strapped, or anchored to resist falling during an earthquake?        
 2. Is the house anchored or bolted to the foundation?        
 3. If the house has cripple walls:

 *

 *

 *

 *
  3a. Are the exterior cripple walls braced?        
  3b. If the exterior foundation consists of unconnected piers and posts, have they been strengthened?        
 4. If the exterior foundation, or part of it, is made of unreinforced masonary, has it been strengthened?        
 5. If the house is built on a hillside, answer the following:

  *

  *

*

*
5a. Are the exterior tall foundation walls braced?        
5b. Were the tall posts or columes either built to resist earthquakes or have they been strengthened?        
 6. If the exterior walls of the house, or part of them, are made of unreinforced masonary, have they been strengthened?        
 7. If the house has a living area over the garage, was the wall around the garage door opening either built to resist earthquakes or has it been strengthened?        
 If any of the questions are answered "NO", the house is likely to have an earthquake weakness. Question answered "Don't know" need investigation by you.

 Yes
  No

 Doesn't Apply

 Don't Know

Homeowners Geological Hazards Checklist

Here is a list of things to check with your local buidlings, planning department under "Geological Hazards". Check with this city department and see if city engineers, geologists or geotechnical engineers have clear geological plans for your homes area:

Ground shaking: ground shaking occurs near major earth fault lines, and to homes built on soft soil with shallow ground water miles away from these fault lines

Ground failure: a earthquake triggers a landslide, the liquefaction, the process that occurs when earthquakes shake loose, wet, sndy soil, so that the soil loses it's strength, allowing your foundation to sink.

Tusnami: This is a large sea wave caused by an erathquake, if you live near the ocean.

Dam Failure: Check for dams and flooding areas with your city planning department.