Cripple wall bracing
#1
08-13-03, 02:59 PM
Cripple wall bracing
I got a couple of estimates on foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing of my small 1920s woodframe house for earthquake safety.
The company I'm thinking of hiring says reinforcing 90% of the cripple walls means it will withstand a larger earthquake. They also said it's wise to anticipate code changes and insurance company requirements.
Another company said the 50% coverage required by code is plenty and more isn't better.
The first company will do 50% at a savings of a couple hundred dollars. Is 90% coverage better than 50%?
The company I'm thinking of hiring says reinforcing 90% of the cripple walls means it will withstand a larger earthquake. They also said it's wise to anticipate code changes and insurance company requirements.
Another company said the 50% coverage required by code is plenty and more isn't better.
The first company will do 50% at a savings of a couple hundred dollars. Is 90% coverage better than 50%?
#2
08-13-03, 05:34 PM
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Sondra,
If both are reputable companies, the decision is based upon what you feel more comfortable with. If there is a sales pitch involved based on "fear", I would not want to hire them.
My opinion would mean nothing as you need to feel comfortable with your choice.
Saving money is good...does anything we do to prevent or minimize damage in a earthquake mean it will work?
Hope you make the right choice for you!
If both are reputable companies, the decision is based upon what you feel more comfortable with. If there is a sales pitch involved based on "fear", I would not want to hire them.
My opinion would mean nothing as you need to feel comfortable with your choice.
Saving money is good...does anything we do to prevent or minimize damage in a earthquake mean it will work?
Hope you make the right choice for you!
#3
08-13-03, 06:11 PM
I spoke again with the second contractor, and he said once the cripple walls are reasonably strong, the earthquake will attack what is then the weakest link, and that is why (after the cripple walls are no longer the weakest link) making them stronger is irrelevant.
Should it make any difference whether the company hired does other construction or is primarily aimed at seismic retrofitting?
Should it make any difference whether the company hired does other construction or is primarily aimed at seismic retrofitting?
#4
08-13-03, 06:21 PM
I spoke again with the second contractor, and he said once the cripple walls are reasonably strong, the earthquake will attack what is then the weakest link, and that is why (after the cripple walls are no longer the weakest link) making them even stronger is irrelevant.
Should it make any difference whether the company hired does other construction or is primarily aimed at seismic retrofitting?
Should it make any difference whether the company hired does other construction or is primarily aimed at seismic retrofitting?
#5
08-13-03, 06:22 PM
I spoke again with the second contractor, and he said once the cripple walls are reasonably strong, the earthquake will attack what is then the weakest link, and that is why (after the cripple walls are no longer the weakest link) making them stronger is irrelevant.
Should it make any difference whether the company hired does other construction or is primarily aimed at seismic retrofitting?
Should it make any difference whether the company hired does other construction or is primarily aimed at seismic retrofitting?
#6
08-13-03, 06:29 PM
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Sondra,
The second contractor seems to make sense to me, again you have to decide what is best for you and who do you feel will do the better job.
If a company does services beyond that of a "speciality" oriented one doesn't make them any worse or better than the next. Most companies today are very versital. It just depends on what they market that is making them money.
Hope this helps!
The second contractor seems to make sense to me, again you have to decide what is best for you and who do you feel will do the better job.
If a company does services beyond that of a "speciality" oriented one doesn't make them any worse or better than the next. Most companies today are very versital. It just depends on what they market that is making them money.
Hope this helps!
#7
08-16-03, 10:10 AM
Doug, thanks. I called the Building and Safety department and got a man who said he's very familiar with the effects of earthquakes on buildings. He said more cripple wall bracing would definitely be better, so that's what I'm going with.
#8
08-16-03, 10:24 AM
Doug, thanks. I called the Building and Safety department and got a man who said he's very familiar with the effects of earthquakes on buildings. He said more cripple wall bracing would definitely be better, so that's what I'm going with.
#9
08-16-03, 09:09 PM
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Sondra: I did not want to jump into your visit with Doug. But, I did want you to know from someone else, the more strength in your cripples, the better it is. I see the Inspector told you this also. Good Inspector. Good Luck
