How to Protect Your Home from Earthquake Damage

Knowing how to protect your home from earthquake damage can save you loads of time and money in the future. So please continue reading to learn more.

An earthquake is an abrupt and intense shaking of the earth caused by a sudden slip on the earth’s fault lines. This sudden release of energy from our planet’s lithosphere creates seismic waves resulting in what we know as earthquakes. Earthquakes can strike with zero warning, day or night, at any time of year. The vast majority of the United States and surrounding territories are at risk of experiencing earthquakes, ranging from moderate to extremely high. So your home could be at significant risk of becoming damaged due to an earthquake, and it is essential to do what you can to protect it.

Keep scrolling to learn what you can do to protect your property from damage caused by earthquakes.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Home from Earthquake Damage

Many homes are at significant risk of suffering some level of structural damage caused by earthquakes. Thankfully you can take some precautionary steps to help minimize the extent of this damage. Here’s what you can do to protect your home from earthquake damage:

• Secure any heavy furniture to your walls, such as armoires and bookcases.
• Remove old or leaning trees, power lines, and electrical wires that are potentially hazardous away from your home.
• Store flammable items and household cleaners securely upright and away from heat sources.
• Place your valuables in a fire-resistant container.
• Brace items on your roof such as chimneys, satellites, and home cooling units.
• Use tempered or wired safety glass or add shatter-resistant film to your windows and glass doors.
• Fix loose tiles or shingles on your roof.
• Install child-proof hardware to your cabinet doors on display cases.
• Asymmetrical homes should have restraining elements added to minimize the chances of twisting and cracking.
• Keep heavy and breakable objects lower on your shelves.
• Check exterior masonry and repair any cracks or damaged areas.
• Houses supported by slender posts or that are partially cantilevered should have braced and anchored posts.
• Reinforce ceilings below chimneys.
• Use safety hangers or closed hooks for pictures and mirrors hanging on your walls.
• Use flexible pipe connections for gas appliances.
• Install seismic-activated gas valves that shut off automatically during intense earthquakes.
• Reinforce your home to fix structural issues that may cause your house to collapse.
• Obtain a good earthquake insurance policy since most standard homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage.
  

Protect Your Home from Earthquake Damage with Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters

It is wise to do all you can to protect your home from earthquake damage now. Unfortunately, that isn’t always a sure thing against disasters such as earthquakes. If your property has suffered harm because of natural disasters or another emergency, contact the professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, our knowledgeable staff will help you resolve your insurance claim quickly. We represent you, not your insurance provider. Contact our team for your free, no-obligation claims review today if you live in Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.