Do I need an earthquake gas shut-off valve?

• <div><p>Some cities or states may require you to have an earthquake gas shut-off valve. Your insurance provider may also have requirements for installing this valve. Even if you don’t have to have one by law, it’s wise to have a natural gas plumber install one anyway. These devices can be lifesaving and prevent fires or explosions in the event of a gas leak.</p></div>

Top-rated earthquake retrofitting specialists.

Get matched with top earthquake retrofitting specialists in Houston, AK

Q: What can I expect during the earthquake retrofitting process?

• <div><p>First, you can expect the project to be loud. If you have pets, you might want to take them to a friend's house during the day so they are not disturbed by any of the loud noises. In addition, you&rsquo;ll need to provide the retrofit team access to areas of the house that will need to be worked on, meaning you&rsquo;ll need to relocate personal items, clear clutter, and make pathways for the crew. Once the project is complete, a local building inspector will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the retrofitting is up to code.</p></div>

Q: Why do I need earthquake retrofitting?

• <div><p>An earthquake retrofit is essential for safety in an earthquake-prone area. Without proper retrofitting, your home is at risk of sliding off the foundation, shifting, or collapsing.</p><p>You may also require a retrofit if your home was built before 1980 when building codes began requiring reinforcing, bracing, and bolting for new construction. You may not be eligible for insurance to help pay for earthquake-related damages without a retrofit.</p></div>

Q: How effective is earthquake retrofitting?

• <div><p>A home with proper earthquake retrofitting can sustain minimal damage in earthquakes of <b>up to 7.0 magnitude</b>, although risks are higher based on how close and deep the earthquake is. A home closer to the earthquake epicenter will sustain greater damage, especially if the earthquake is closer to the surface of the Earth, but retrofitting can help minimize the risk of injuries.</p></div>

Q: Can earthquake retrofitting increase home value?

• <div><p>Earthquake retrofitting can increase your home value, making it a great return on investment. This feature is especially valuable in areas prone to earthquakes. Besides the increased safety value (not only for your family but for the next family who moves in), earthquake retrofitting also helps lower homeowners insurance rates. In addition, having your home earthquake retrofitted can make it easier to get a home loan since they are considered lower risk. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Earthquake Retrofitting pros in Houston, AK

*The Angi rating for Earthquake Retrofitting companies in Houston, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Earthquake Retrofitting needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Earthquake Retrofitting companies in Houston, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Earthquake Retrofitting needs.

Last update on December 12, 2025

Reviewed in September 2022
They were fast, reliable and kept me informed of progress along the way. Willing to accommodate for change. They did an excellent job on new drywall as well as repairing earthquake damage and patches. I would definitely hire them again.
Rico Construction
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Reviewed in February 2020
LP Services did a great paint job for us. We had earthquake damage and they repaired and textured several cracks. You can't tell where the damage was. They were fast, professional and economical. After painting our dining room, my wife decided she didn't like the paint color. The owner...
L P Services
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Reviewed in May 2019
Had crew come out to check chimney for possible earthquake damage. Company called to ask if they could come early so I left work to meet them. No show-when called office they had my number on another person’s address and did that work but said they would come at scheduled time. Scheduled time-no...
Chimney Doctor
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Reviewed in April 2019
I had prior earthquake damage and then new earthquake stress cracks, so I had the interior repainted. Ramon and Josh are professionals. I m very happy about the results. I will hire them for future housing projects.
R&J Services, LLC
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Reviewed in January 2019
Furnace went out on Christmas Eve. I called them on December 26th for service and they could not get to it until December 31. So, we were down a furnace for almost a week. It turns out that they found the problem within 15 minutes and fixed it. A wire had become loose (probably due to the recent...
Anchorage Plumbing and Heating
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Reviewed in December 2018
Marcus was very professional and explained what I needed and didn’t need to do for my plumbing after our earthquake.
Orellana Home Improvement, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2014
Victor called me back promptly with an estimate and sent Zach out to do my carpet. Zach arrived as scheduled and was very pleasant and professional. I had a lot of carpet to be cleaned and Zach worked alone to complete a very big job for one person to do without help. He did an excellent job and...
Best Deal Steam Carpet Cleaning
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Find Earthquake retrofitting specialists in Houston

PolySeal Insulation LLC

4.94(

)

•Approved Pro

PolySeal Insulation LLC

4.94(

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

2006 years of experience

We're a family-owned, residential construction contractor based in Alaska and have been in business for over 20 years. Our niche is specialty construction solutions. We thrive on trouble-shooting and solving construction problems unique to Alaska - this ranges from insulation methods to combat extremely cold weather, Geo-foam applications to stabilize settling ground, lifting settled houses, creating curtain walls for water abatement, sea wall stabilization, grout injection, helical piers, and the like. We have multiple teams of highly qualified and certified technicians with years of experience. We take pride in providing high-quality products and services to our customers, and our reviews reflect the hard work we have put in.

"Excellent, perfectly done. Would recommend to everyone"

Andy H on March 2024

"Excellent, perfectly done. Would recommend to everyone"

Andy H on March 2024

CBS Remodeling

4.50(

)

•Approved Pro

CBS Remodeling

4.50(

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

1996 years of experience

CBS Remodeling is a locally owned and operated full service remodeling firm. With over 25 years of experience, we provide all of our clients with high end work and pride ourselves in customer service! Please reach out today! We specialize in all aspects of the home. We look forward to consulting with you on your next project.

"I have worked with him 5 years. He is very competitive."

Larry M on August 2019

"I have worked with him 5 years. He is very competitive."

Larry M on August 2019

Earthquake Retrofitting questions, answered by experts

Some cities or states may require you to have an earthquake gas shut-off valve. Your insurance provider may also have requirements for installing this valve. Even if you don’t have to have one by law, it’s wise to have a natural gas plumber install one anyway. These devices can be lifesaving and prevent fires or explosions in the event of a gas leak.

First, you can expect the project to be loud. If you have pets, you might want to take them to a friend's house during the day so they are not disturbed by any of the loud noises. In addition, you’ll need to provide the retrofit team access to areas of the house that will need to be worked on, meaning you’ll need to relocate personal items, clear clutter, and make pathways for the crew. Once the project is complete, a local building inspector will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the retrofitting is up to code.

An earthquake retrofit is essential for safety in an earthquake-prone area. Without proper retrofitting, your home is at risk of sliding off the foundation, shifting, or collapsing.

You may also require a retrofit if your home was built before 1980 when building codes began requiring reinforcing, bracing, and bolting for new construction. You may not be eligible for insurance to help pay for earthquake-related damages without a retrofit.

A home with proper earthquake retrofitting can sustain minimal damage in earthquakes of up to 7.0 magnitude, although risks are higher based on how close and deep the earthquake is. A home closer to the earthquake epicenter will sustain greater damage, especially if the earthquake is closer to the surface of the Earth, but retrofitting can help minimize the risk of injuries.

Earthquake retrofitting can increase your home value, making it a great return on investment. This feature is especially valuable in areas prone to earthquakes. Besides the increased safety value (not only for your family but for the next family who moves in), earthquake retrofitting also helps lower homeowners insurance rates. In addition, having your home earthquake retrofitted can make it easier to get a home loan since they are considered lower risk.

The Houston, AK homeowners’ guide to earthquake retrofitting services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Angi
•
Oct 22, 2025Oct 22, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Earthquake Damage? [2025 Data]
Discover how much it costs to repair earthquake damage. Learn about average costs, key factors, and ways to save on earthquake repairs for your home.
Timothy Moore
•
Dec 3, 2025Dec 3, 2025
How Much Does Earthquake Valve Installation Cost? [2025 Data]
A seismic shut-off valve stops the flow of gas during an earthquake, protecting your home from fires and explosions. Here’s what your earthquake valve installation cost will look like.
Angi
•
Nov 4, 2025Nov 4, 2025
How Much Does an Earthquake Retrofit Cost? [2025 Data]
Earthquake retrofit costs vary based on home size, location, and project scope. Learn what impacts your price and how to budget for a safer, more secure home.
Mary Beth Eastman
•
Jul 24, 2024Jul 24, 2024
What You Need to Know About Earthquake Gas Shut-Off Valve Installation
Earthquake gas shut-off valve installation is important for any home in earthquake-prone areas. Explore how they’re installed here.
Mizuki Hisaka
•
Aug 26, 2024Aug 26, 2024
What Is an Earthquake Gas Shut-Off Valve and Do You Need One?
In a seismic event, an earthquake gas shut-off valve could stop gas leaks and save your life. Learn more about its costs, installation, and benefits.
Stacey L. Nash
•
Jul 25, 2024Jul 25, 2024
Earthquake Retrofit 101: Everything You Need to Know About Prepping a Home for a Seismic Event
If you live near a fault line, your home may need an earthquake retrofit. Find out what you need to know about the process, from costs to who you should hire.