"Definitely worth the extra hassle to inspect thoroughly, especially if you're counting on them structurally."
Couldn't agree more. When I first started out, I underestimated how critical detailed inspection was—thought visual checks were enough. Learned quickly that hidden flaws can bite you later on. Props for being thorough and proactive with your earthquake-proofing measures. It's always satisfying when careful planning pays off in real-world scenarios... glad your building held up well during the quake.
I'm curious—when you're inspecting older structures, how deep do you typically go beyond visual checks? I ask because my place is pushing 120 years old, and every time I think I've got it figured out, some new surprise pops up. Last month, I found a hidden support beam that had been quietly rotting away behind plaster for who knows how long... talk about a wake-up call. Makes me wonder if there are specific tools or methods folks here use to catch these sneaky issues early on. Also, do earthquake-proofing measures differ significantly when dealing with historic homes versus newer builds? I'm guessing there must be some unique challenges there, right? Glad your building did well, though—must've been pretty satisfying to see all that prep pay off.
I feel your pain—my house is about 90 years old, and every time I open a wall it's like archaeology meets horror movie. I've started using a moisture meter and one of those inspection cameras...saved me from a few nasty surprises already. Earthquake-proofing older homes definitely feels like playing Jenga with higher stakes, though.
Yeah, older homes are full of surprises...opened a wall once and found newspapers from the 1930s as insulation. Cool find, but not exactly reassuring structurally. Good call on the inspection camera, might have to try that myself.
Had a similar surprise once—pulled open a ceiling and found old shirts stuffed in as insulation. Creative, sure...but structurally sketchy. Inspection cams are lifesavers for spotting these DIY 'hacks' before they become real headaches.
