1. Review the building from the outside. Reviewing the house from the outside would give you a brief assessment of the house’s foundation. Make sure the house is not leaning. Check for cracks outside the house. 2. Evaluate the floor. Check for cracks and humps on the floor to avoid tripping. Make sure your floor was not raised by the earthquake. 3. Look for cracks in the columns. A column is a structural element that transmits the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. Make sure that cracks on the columns are shallow to ensure that you house’s foundation is still in good shape. 4. Check for sagged beams Beams are structural unit that usually connects the columns. Check the beams for cracks and if they are sagging. 5. Make sure the walls are not leaning Though walls won’t actually directly affect your house’s structural stability, it would still be good to check if your wall is leaning unusually. Also check for cracks because they might actually lead to cracks and affect the beams and columns in your house. 6. Check the stairs You don’t want to end up tripping your way down the stairs check it out too. 7. Inspect the backs of your house’s furniture You would usually neglect the areas most hidden from the line of sight but these damaged areas could actually give you more trouble in the future. Check the back of your couch, TV stand, cabinets, drawers, wine stand, shoe racks etc. to avoid gradual damage to your walls. 8. Review the ceiling Check the ceiling for cracks especially to avoid falling debris. 9. Survey for collapsed doors Check each and every door in your house to ensure they are still in good condition. Make sure that the hinges are properly attached to the wall. 10. Check the roof Make a thorough inspection of the roof. Make sure the nails used to hold your roof are intact to prevent them from flying at rand
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 02:08:56 +0000