When it comes to investing your hard-earned cash, you can’t go wrong by putting it into your home. Not only do our houses shelter our loved ones, but owning property is one of the most lucrative business ventures you can make. In order to keep your Los Angeles County home sheltered from the elements, including unpredictable storms and seismic activity, one essential step is obtaining earthquake brace and bolt services. Today we’re going to break down how you can save money through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program, as well as its application process and benefits. If you’re a Southern California homeowner looking to guard your investment, this information is helpful to know and understand!
Related: Foundation Damage Caused by the Storms in Los Angeles
What are brace and bolt services?
Many homes in the greater Los Angeles area are not properly fortified, leaving them vulnerable in the event of an earthquake. And when it comes to earthquakes in Southern California, it’s not a question of if they’re going to strike, but when. Homes that are decades old or constructed with wood framing, or especially homes that meet both of those specifications, are left particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage. The good news is that they can benefit enormously from brace and bolt services.
Braces and bolts provide the most reliable insurance on the market for your structure by securing the foundation against seismic destruction. Bolting adds anchored bolts to the crawl space in order to prevent the home from sliding during seismic activity, while bracing strengthens and stiffens cripple walls to help prevent collapse.
What is the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program?
Did you know that you could receive up to $3,000 to strengthen your structure by applying for the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program? This program supports fortifying your home in order to lessen the damage of seismic activity. EBB is able to help fund retrofitting expenses for residential crawl spaces that require bolts, braces, or strapped and braced water heaters. Eligible houses must meet Chapter A3 specifications, which typically require the home to be wood-framed, built on a low slope or level ground, have a raised foundation, or have certain types of cripple walls. In order to participate in the program, you must not start retrofit work before you have been accepted into the program. That means if you seek to receive funding, it’s important to plan ahead.
Related: 4 Steps to Soft Story Retrofitting
How can I apply for brace and bolt services?
Interested in receiving financial assistance through EBB? There are certain specifications that homeowners must meet in order to be eligible for the program. Their home must be located in one of the designated EBB zip codes and be the primary residence at the time of application and retrofit completion. Homeowners will need to register and apply online as a homeowner and be able to show a completed and signed IRS W-9 form if asked. Registration is allowed once per house, and all houses must adhere to the program rules.
Wondering if your home might be eligible? There is a good chance your home might be EBB eligible if it is located inside one of the EBB zip codes, meets the CEBC Chapter A3 specifications, was built before 1980 and is located on a low slope or level ground, and if it has not already received EBB payments.
How does the EBB application process work?
Are you waiting to hear back about your EBB application? Once registration for the year closes, which it has already done for 2019, homeowners will be randomly selected by an electronic system. Applications must be reviewed and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with applicants notified of progress via email. Early in the year, homeowners will be notified whether they have been placed on the waiting list or have been selected to participate. Therefore, if homeowners wish to receive assistance for the upcoming year, they are encouraged to submit all of their necessary information as soon as possible. For more information about the next grant registration, be sure to visit earthquakebracebolt.com. Applicants can also feel free to communicate with EBB at any time during the process.
Related: Are You Prepared for the Next Earthquake?
Why does your home need brace and bolt services?
You may not be able to predict when the next big earthquake strikes, but you do have the power to make sure that your home is guarded against the destruction of seismic activity. Brace and bolt services are essential to the health and strength of your structure. Likewise, your home might have been secured in the past, but time can create vulnerabilities, so it’s essential to get your home inspected and possibly updated if decades have passed since the last retrofitting process. Is your home as earthquake safe as it can be? If the answer isn’t a confident yes, then it’s time to take action.
