Not sure I totally agree that “modern builds make it easier.” I mean, yeah, codes are tighter now, but I’ve seen some pretty shoddy work in newer homes—especially those thrown up during housing booms. At least with a ‘60s place, you can sometimes see the craftsmanship (or lack of it) right away.
That said, I’d add one more thing to your list: check the connections between the house and the chimney. Those old unreinforced brick chimneys are notorious for toppling in a quake, and even with all the anchor bolts and straps in the world, if your chimney isn’t braced or retrofitted, it’s a big risk.
Sometimes you find stuff that makes you wonder how anything’s still standing.
Couldn’t agree more there. Pulled off some paneling once and found a 2x4 literally wedged in with old newspapers. Still standing after 50+ years… go figure.
Funny you mention the newspaper trick—I once demo’d a wall in a ‘50s ranch and found a whole stack of old Sears catalogs stuffed in as “insulation.” Still, that house felt sturdier than some of the newer places I’ve worked on. I totally get what you mean about chimneys, too. My neighbor’s toppled in the ‘94 quake, even though the rest of the house barely had a crack. Sometimes it’s the weirdest shortcuts that end up lasting the longest... but I’d still rather not gamble on it.
I get what you’re saying about the old shortcuts sometimes holding up, but I’m not totally convinced they’re reliable in the long run. My place is a 1920s bungalow and I’ve found all sorts of oddball fixes—some charming, some just plain risky. The thing is, even if those Sears catalogs or random bracing kept things together for decades, you never really know how they’ll perform in a serious quake. I’d rather trust modern retrofits than hope someone’s creative patch job from 70 years ago does the trick when it counts.
That hits close to home—literally. I’ve worked on a bunch of these old bungalows, and you never know what you’ll find once you open up the walls. One time, I pulled off some siding and found a whole section braced with what looked like leftover barn wood and a couple of rusty nails. It had held up for decades, but I wouldn’t bet my safety on it in a big quake.
I get the nostalgia for those old fixes, but when it comes to earthquakes, modern retrofits really do make a difference. Things like proper anchor bolts, plywood shear panels, and actual hardware designed for seismic loads are game changers. The peace of mind is worth it—especially if you’re sleeping under that roof every night.
If you haven’t already, it’s worth having someone check out your foundation connections and cripple walls. Sometimes the old stuff is just fine, but more often than not, there’s room for improvement... or at least a few surprises waiting behind the plaster.
One time, I pulled off some siding and found a whole section braced with what looked like leftover barn wood and a couple of rusty nails.
That reminds me of when I opened up my own crawlspace and found a random mix of bricks and old fence posts holding up one corner. It’s wild what people used to get away with. I get the charm, but I always wonder—how many of us are living with “temporary” fixes that somehow became permanent? Ever tried to retrofit around someone else’s creative patchwork? It’s like a puzzle with missing pieces.