Bolted Foundations
The first question raised in the Ask the Inspector column by Bill Ross (June 10) addressed the problem of older homes which are not bolted to their foundations.
The answer to this question implies that a lack of such bolting is not necessarily bad and in fact does not really constitute a hazard. I think the Los Angeles Times does a disservice by perpetuating the myth that just because a building has been in existence through many past seismic events it is structurally adequate and no strengthening is necessary.
One must conclude that the author is less than observant. Past earthquakes have severly damaged or destroyed older wood frame dwellings due to their lack of foundation anchorage and/or unbraced cripple underpinning.
Because of the recognized potential hazard, Assemblywoman Jackie Speier has introduced Assembly Bill 2978, which would require the installation of anchor bolts for older residential structures at the time of resale.
PAUL SHEEDY
Monrovia
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