Earthquake Preparedness- Seismic Retrofit
An earthquake will destroy a sizable portion of the coastal Northwest. The question is when.
When the next very big earthquake hits, the northwest edge of the continent, from California to Canada, will drop by as much as six feet and rebound thirty to a hundred feet to the west. Some of that shift will take place beneath the ocean, displacing a colossal quantity of seawater. One side will rush east, in a seven-hundred-mile liquid wall that will reach the Northwest coast fifteen minutes after the earthquake begins. By the time the shaking has ceased and the tsunami has receded, the region will be unrecognizable. FEMA says, “Our operating assumption is that everything west of Interstate 5 will be toast.” - The New Yorker Magazine, July 20, 2015 Issue, "The Really Big One" by Kathryn Schulz
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
"The Really Big One" - The New Yorker
"... If only the southern part of the Cascadia subduction zone gives way, the quake will be somewhere between 8.0 and 8.6. That’s the big one. If the entire zone gives way at once, the magnitude will be somewhere between 8.7 and 9.2. That’s the very big one..."
Seismic Retrofit Foundation Plates
During an earthquake, the strength of a house is put to the test. Our Structural Engineer will visit your home and recommend cost-effective steps to reinforce your home. Typically, we install Simpson URFP foundation plates to connect your home to its foundation and then connect the posts and beams in your crawlspace. Other steps may include reinforcing your concrete foundations, reinforcing or removing brick chimneys, securely attaching hot water heaters and reinforcing cripple walls.
Northridge Gas Shut Off Valve
Prevent gas fires caused by earthquakes. The Northridge valve shuts off your gas during an earthquake giving you peace of mind. It contains a stainless steel ball that rests on a platform inside the valve allowing gas to flow. During an earthquake of 5.2 or greater, the stainless steel ball falls from the platform and plugs the outlet, stopping the flow of gas. You can turn the gas back on by manually resetting the valve.
Foundation Reinforcement
Some older homes were built on cement block foundations or unreinforced concrete basements that don't have the strength to withstand an earthquake. Our Structural Engineer will visit your home and help us select the best method to reinforce your foundation. We have several techniques, such as adding rebar and shotcrete to create a new concrete foundation to support your home, or adding structural steel to reinforce your basement walls. We can also bring in specialists to add soil anchors for problematic soil conditions and steep slopes.
What our Clients are Saying
See the Riverside Farmhouse Remodel project“Throughout the project, Sarah did an incredible job of listening to our vision and guided our decisions with her extensive design experience. G. Christianson consistently provided excellent materials, work, communication, and, moreover, they became our friends throughout the process. They used only superior quality products throughout our home, made sure all systems and structures throughout were constructed to meet or exceed code standards, and took the initiative to provide superior construction techniques even where it wouldn't show. The custom cabinetry and carpentry throughout is top quality and beautiful. The result is exactly the dream home we've always wanted! Sarah, Tanner, and the GCC team created a gorgeous, comfortable space where our family can grow for decades. It was an incredible two-year experience with the GCC family.”
“I love working with the Christianson crews. They are thoroughly professional and incredibly detail-focused. They kept the worksite perfectly clean and tidy, and never skimp. Our screened porch (2015) and remodeled kitchen (2020) are our favorite, most-used, rooms in the house.”
Sandra Bean, Corvallis
“My experience with them was top notch. They're conscientious. Christianson himself, who runs the show, doesn't just turn his workers loose and then pick the check up at the end of the month. He is involved in the process. He's also very personable.”
Niels Nielsen, Peoria Road
