Shear Seismic specializes in the design and installation of residential seismic retrofits that protect homes from catastrophic destruction. The company was founded by Marney Mutch in the wake of the Japan and Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes which were a wake-up call to what could happen to our own homes.
The additional strength of a retrofitted house greatly reduces the chances of personal injury and all kinds of earthquake generated hardship. A few important strengthening measures performed primarily in basements and crawlspaces can make the difference in your home’s ability to survive the violent shaking of a high magnitude earthquake.
We now have a better idea what an earthquake could feel like. During the 4.7 earthquake that occurred a little while back just offshore from Sidney BC, residents from as far way as the Fraser Valley experienced force that felt and sounded like a truck crashing in their home. Do you know that each increment of 1.0 magnitude represents 31.6 x the force and 10x the shaking? Unlike States south of us, California especially, we have had tremendous earthquake luck so far. Shear Seismic is here for those who don’t like to gamble.
Specialized Retrofit Training
Retrofitting houses can be made to sound quite rudimentary: some bolts, plywood and metal brackets. In practice, there is enough detail to fill over 550 book pages. That being said, there is no seismic retrofit training available in Canada so Marney sought out experts in California.
Structural Engineer Thor Matteson is the author of “Earthquake Strengthening For Vulnerable Homes” and Wood-Frame Shear Wall Construction”. It is through Marney’s affiliation with the Berkeley, California structural engineer who authored what appear to be the only books on shear wall design and retrofits for wood-framed houses, expert retrofitters in the San Francisco area, that Shear Seismic is able deliver its service with the understanding of seismic engineering principles and advanced retrofit design and installation techniques. Even then, we still consult with a local structural engineer when a home’s features need their greater expertise.
Custom Designed Retrofits
At the very minimum, your basement, crawlspace and/or garage retrofit should meet the minimum standards of the current BC building code. It is not entirely backward compatible for retrofitting existing houses and, because it is intended for new builds, it doesn’t take into consideration a variety of characteristics found in older homes. You can get yourself a sometimes inexpensive (sometimes not) 101 retrofit and be given to believe that’s all you really need, but don’t bet your safety on it. Custom designs don’t necessarily cost more, but the level of detail is, for sure, much greater. If your home has any of the following sample of characteristics, we’re the ones you want to trust with your safety:
- homes on sloped ground; foundations will be stepped, pier and post, or a combination
- tall rectangular homes more vulnerable to and earthquakes overturning force
- garages supporting living space
- finished basements
- secondary suites
- split levels
- sunken living rooms
- missing rim joists on the long sides
- balloon framing
- quirky repair jobs that have altered the structure
Budget Consciousness
Our proposals outline what we believe will resist 7.0+ earthquakes in the most cost-effective way. As mentioned, we do not utilize standardized retrofit plans which call for more than what is actually needed. We know how to use your retrofit dollars efficiently to get the best protection. If what we propose is beyond your immediate reach, you may wish to have it completed in stages in order of highest risk.
Commitment to Quality Seismic Retrofits
Our assurance is that a) only laboratory tested and approved shear wall construction methods to strengthen your home, and b) all crew are specially trained seismic principles. All hardware we use has been tested, approved and rated by the International Code Council Evaluation Service for seismic applications. As seismic retrofit contractors we know that the work we do saves lives. We take that to heart.
Retrofit Drawing, Photos & Certificate
When we are done we will provide you with a final drawing, photographic record of your retrofit and a retrofit certificate. If you sell your home, this will be very important to have on hand for the new owners. Insurance companies, we hope, will offer breaks on earthquake insurance to owners who can demonstrate a quality retrofit.
Support for Do-It-Yourselfers
We offer design and consulting services to homeowners with the carpentry skills and will to the installation themselves. Retrofitting guides one may find are often not so easy to apply to a real home and generally apply only to simple home designs.
Public Education / Guest Speaking
If your community or business group is interested to learn more about benefits and methods of home retrofitting, we can be counted on for a lively and informative presentation about retrofitting homes.
We want you SAFE!
Wouldn’t it be nice to got to sleep each night knowing your home will be one of the safest refuges in an strong earthquake…that it has been strengthened to survive the vigorous shaking of a very strong earthquake? Know that ANY upgrading you do is better than none.
This map was created by the Institute