That’s a solid checklist—bolting and bracing are huge, especially in those old pre-war houses. I’d also add checking for any unreinforced masonry, like chimneys or brick walls, since those can be a real hazard if they’re not retrofitted. Sometimes people forget about the water heater, too. If it’s not strapped down, it can tip over and cause all sorts of trouble, not to mention leaking gas or water.
One thing I’ve noticed is that even when the basics are covered, stuff like tall bookcases or even big TVs aren’t always secured. It’s easy to overlook until you imagine what would actually move in a good shake. I get the paranoia—after the last minor quake, I found a hairline crack in the plaster and spent way too long poking at it with a flashlight... turned out to be nothing, but still.
And yeah, asbestos is a whole different headache. At least if you’re only dealing with retrofitting, you’re ahead of the game.
I totally get the flashlight crack-inspection thing—been there, done that, and then spent the next week side-eyeing every wall in the house. When we moved into our place (built in the 50s), I thought we were good after bolting the frame and strapping the water heater, but then a friend pointed out our giant IKEA bookcase was basically a missile waiting to happen. Ended up grabbing some L-brackets and anchoring it to the studs—super cheap fix, maybe $10 and 20 minutes, but it’s one less thing to stress about.
One thing I’d add: check under your sinks for those flexible gas lines. Ours were old and brittle, and apparently those can snap in a quake. Swapping them out wasn’t expensive, just a bit fiddly. And yeah, asbestos is a nightmare—I had to get a pro in just to check the attic insulation before I even thought about crawling around up there. Sometimes it feels like a never-ending list, but honestly, tackling one thing at a time makes it way less overwhelming.
Sometimes it feels like a never-ending list, but honestly, tackling one thing at a time makes it way less overwhelming.
Man, you nailed it with that. I always tell folks: earthquake prep is like eating a giant sandwich—one bite at a time, or you’ll choke and give up halfway through. And yeah, those IKEA bookcases are basically the Wile E. Coyote of home hazards. I’ve seen more than one “Billy” take flight during a shake test (not pretty).
You’re spot on about the gas lines under the sink too. People forget about those all the time. I once had a client who thought their house was set because they’d strapped the water heater and put museum putty under their vases... but then we found a 1970s flex line that looked like it would snap if you sneezed near it. Swapping those out is fiddly, but honestly, it’s way easier than dealing with a gas leak after the fact.
One thing I’d add to your list: check your chimney if you’ve got one. Those old brick stacks are notorious for coming down in quakes, and sometimes all it takes is a little bracing or even just removing loose mortar at the top. Had a neighbor whose chimney dropped half its bricks into their living room during a mild tremor—looked like Santa had crash-landed.
And don’t get me started on attic insulation... I once poked my head up there and realized I was basically standing in a cloud of mystery fluff from 1962. Called in the pros before I ended up starring in my own asbestos horror story.
Anyway, you’re right—it’s all about chipping away at the list. Every little fix helps, and eventually you stop side-eyeing every wall (well... most of them).
Funny you mention the attic insulation—last time I checked mine, I found a squirrel’s stash of acorns and what looked suspiciously like a 1970s lunchbox. Never did figure out how it got up there. But yeah, you’re right about chimneys. I’ve seen folks spend thousands on fancy retrofits and then ignore that wobbly brick stack over their living room. Sometimes the unglamorous fixes are the most important ones. And honestly, those flex gas lines make me nervous too... if it looks ancient or sketchy, just swap it out. Way less drama in the long run.
I get the concern about flex gas lines, but honestly, newer ones are usually pretty solid if they’re installed right. I’d be more worried about old rigid pipes that haven’t been checked in decades—those can crack during a quake and nobody notices until it’s too late. Sometimes the “sketchy” looking stuff is actually safer than the old-school setups. Just my two cents.