Our Company
Sound Seismic, established in 1999, is a FEMA certified earthquake retrofitting contractor, dedicated to using tried and true materials and construction practices to help protect our customers' homes from earthquake damage. We pride ourselves in having the largest retrofit technician crew in the greater Seattle area. All of our staff (from the retrofit technicians to the office manager) have been trained through the University of Washington's Earthquake Home Retrofit Training program.
The Right Tools for the Job
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The Retro Truck is fully stocked and ready to tackle any task when it rolls up on the job site.
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The Retro Truck's side compartments contain bolts, foundation attachments and other key items to complete a retrofit properly.
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All tools necessary for the job travel with the Retro Truck and many are powered by a compressor carried on the truck.
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After pressure treated lumber is cut, it is necessary to treat the lumber with a sealant in order to keep any moisture or insects from destroying it.
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Sometimes specific engineering requires specific retrofit carpentry. A saw, saw horses and lumber are always on the Retro Truck for just such needs.
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To ensure speed and accuracy in small, tight spaces, a palm nailer is a part of the tool collection on the truck.
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Experience and Knowledge Base
Not only are Sound Seismic's retrofit technicians trained on the technical level at the University of Washington they are also refined through field experience and continued education. In such an industry, on-the-job experience coupled with up-to-date product and procedure education is key to creating a quality earthquake retrofit.
The basics of retrofitting may seem pretty simple: bolt the house to the foundation and then apply shear panel to secure the pony walls of the house. As one might imagine "not all house are created alike". The images below show the down and dirty reality of retrofitting a home.
The basics of retrofitting may seem pretty simple: bolt the house to the foundation and then apply shear panel to secure the pony walls of the house. As one might imagine "not all house are created alike". The images below show the down and dirty reality of retrofitting a home.
Securing the house to the foundation is a main component of earthquake retrofit. In the picture below one of our retrofit technicians is using his refined skills and experience to help secure the house safety in the event of an earthquake.
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Shear panels attached to pony wall of an unfinished basement
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HTT hold downs placed in the corner of a house to minimize up lift during an earthquake
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In cases when drills are not able to be used, an HFA would be used as an equivalent to a bolt.
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