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
“The major qualities that distinguish G. Christianson are: Meticulousness. They have somehow managed to contract tile installers, plumbers, electricians, painters who share their value of meticulous attention to detail. Reliable and Relatable. They listen to your needs and help you achieve your vision. Innovative and Imaginative. They look for novel ways to solve problems in design and construction. Essentially, they like a challenge and will dare to imagine with you!”
Cari Williams, Corvallis, OR
See the Bright & Open Vintage Kitchen project
“We felt our ideas were listened to, incorporated, and enhanced in the final plans. Elizabeth did a nice job adding architectural interest with the arch above the stove and continuing that feature in the new opening connecting the living room to dining space. Eliminating the wall between dining room & kitchen allowed for a much better flow addressing our desire for a more spacious-looking interior without adding additional space. The hot tub cover is a special feature that enhances our ability to use it daily. And creating a space for the washer/dryer in the house instead of the garage was a real win. ”
Kathy Chafin & Steve Wyatt, Corvallis, OR
See the Vibrant & Balanced Home Remodel project
“G. Christianson Construction did a wonderful job on our kitchen and front entry remodel. Cabinet shop manager Ron participated in a number of pre-construction meetings with designer Anna, collaboratively working together to build the kitchen of our dreams. Working with G. Christianson Construction was a pleasurable experience based on the professional and knowledgeable staff. We highly recommend them for your project and would not hesitate to use them again on our future remodeling projects!”
Kurt & Nancy Wiedenmann, Philomath, OR
See the Elegant Country Kitchen project
