What can cause vibrations in a house?

• <div><p>Hearing or feeling vibrations in your house can be unsettling, but there are a few <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/i-hear-vibrating-motor-sound-my-walls-night-it-my-pipes-or-it-related-air-vents-or-furnace">possible causes for a vibrating noise in your wall</a> or floor. Light bulbs and fixtures, circuit breakers, loose pipes, or faulty wiring could all cause vibrations. If you’re not sure what’s causing the vibrations, you can call a contractor to assess your home and narrow down the cause.</p></div>

Are seismic gas shut-off valves required in California?

• <div><p>Almost all new buildings in California need an earthquake shut-off valve. The requirements for an earthquake gas shut-off valve (and who can install it) depend on where you live. For example, according to the <a href="https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-186081">Los Angeles Municipal Code</a>, you’re required to hire a licensed contractor to install one whenever you build, sell, or renovate a home. Check with your local building department for your city’s laws on installing, permitting, and inspecting earthquake shut-off valves.</p></div>

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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: Are brick houses safer in an earthquake?

• <div><p>According to the <a href="https://www.earthquakecountry.org/step4/urmwalls/#:~:text=Houses%20built%20of%20unreinforced%20masonry,and%20the%20roof%20is%20critical.">Earthquake Country Alliance</a>&mdash;a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness&mdash;reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn&rsquo;t as stable as other building materials and methods.</p></div>

Q: Can I stay in my home during earthquake retrofitting?

• <div><p>Generally, the retrofitting process can take two to four weeks. Your contractor will let you know if staying in your home for the entire project is feasible. However, most people are able to remain at home. If your home is undergoing earthquake rehab, it's more likely that you'll need to leave until work is complete. Your earthquake insurance may cover boarding costs if your home is deemed unsafe.</p></div>

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Bahret Church Interiors, Inc.

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Bahret Church Interiors, Inc.

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82 years of experience

For the past 69 years the Bahret family has delivered and hand-installed everything from complete Church Interior Design services, Church Interior Decoration, Major Church Reconstruction, Church Remodeling, Comprehensive Church Rennovation and Rehabilitation, to Restoration of Heirloom Antique Woodwork, Pew Fabric Re-Upolstery... and even Stained-Glass Repair and Cleaning. Our family's experience will meet and exceed your expectations. We can fulfill all of your Church's rennovation needs and WE DO NOT SUBCONTRACT OUR LABOR. We will meet with you for a free private consultation.

Earthquake Retrofitting questions, answered by experts

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.

According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.

Hearing or feeling vibrations in your house can be unsettling, but there are a few possible causes for a vibrating noise in your wall or floor. Light bulbs and fixtures, circuit breakers, loose pipes, or faulty wiring could all cause vibrations. If you’re not sure what’s causing the vibrations, you can call a contractor to assess your home and narrow down the cause.

Almost all new buildings in California need an earthquake shut-off valve. The requirements for an earthquake gas shut-off valve (and who can install it) depend on where you live. For example, according to the Los Angeles Municipal Code, you’re required to hire a licensed contractor to install one whenever you build, sell, or renovate a home. Check with your local building department for your city’s laws on installing, permitting, and inspecting earthquake shut-off valves.

Generally, the retrofitting process can take two to four weeks. Your contractor will let you know if staying in your home for the entire project is feasible. However, most people are able to remain at home. If your home is undergoing earthquake rehab, it's more likely that you'll need to leave until work is complete. Your earthquake insurance may cover boarding costs if your home is deemed unsafe.

The New Park, PA homeowners’ guide to earthquake retrofitting services

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

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