5 Warning Signs Your Los Angeles Home
Needs a Seismic Retrofit

Los Angeles is earthquake country. While we can’t predict when the next big quake will hit, we can predict how older homes will react. If your home was built before 1980, it likely lacks the modern reinforcements required to keep your family and your investment safe. Here are 5 warning signs it’s time to call a professional for a seismic evaluation.

Your Home Has a Raised Foundation or Crawl Space

Many older LA homes were built with a “cripple wall”—a short wooden wall between the concrete foundation and the first floor. If this wall is not properly braced with plywood shear walls and anchor bolts, it can easily collapse during lateral shaking. This can cause the entire house to slide off its foundation. If your home is raised off the ground, a seismic retrofit is highly recommended.

You Notice New or Widening Cracks

While minor hairline cracks are normal in LA’s shifting soil, you should be alarmed by structural cracks. Look out for stair-step cracks in brick or concrete block walls, diagonal cracks running from the corners of doors and windows, or any cracks wider than 1/4 inch. These indicate structural movement that requires immediate professional assessment.

Doors and Windows Stick or Won’t Close

If your doors or windows suddenly become difficult to open or close, your home’s frame may be shifting. This is a classic sign of foundation settlement or lateral movement. When the structural frame of your house warps, it puts immense stress on the building, making it highly vulnerable during an earthquake.

You Live in a Soft-Story Building

If you have an open ground floor—such as a large garage, a carport, or a room with expansive windows—with living space built directly above it, you have a “soft story.” These open spaces lack the structural walls needed to support the weight above them during a quake, making them highly vulnerable to collapse. Reinforcing these areas with steel moment frames or plywood shear walls is critical.

You Want to Qualify for the EBB Program

The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) offers the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program, which provides grants to help offset the cost of retrofitting older homes. Getting a professional inspection now not only secures your home but can also help you qualify for thousands of dollars in state funding for the repairs.

Protect Your Home Today

Don’t wait for the ground to shake to find out if your home is safe. Master Loco Construction is an experienced, licensed contractor specializing in EBB-compliant seismic retrofits across Greater Los Angeles.

Secure your property and protect your family. Call us at 310-343-9331 or fill out our contact form to schedule your comprehensive seismic evaluation today.