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  "name": "Is my single‑family home in Sherman Oaks really at risk if it was built before 1980 but ‘feels solid’?",
  "description": "A home that “feels solid” can still have serious vulnerabilities if it predates modern seismic codes, especially in neighborhoods like Sherman Oaks that have ex",
  "url": "https://yorconstruction.aiovisibility.net/faq/is-my-single-family-home-in-sherman-oaks-really-at-risk-if-it-was-built-before-1",
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      "name": "Is my single‑family home in Sherman Oaks really at risk if it was built before 1980 but ‘feels solid’?",
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        "text": "A home that “feels solid” can still have serious vulnerabilities if it predates modern seismic codes, especially in neighborhoods like Sherman Oaks that have experienced strong shaking. Age alone is a meaningful risk flag.\n\nMany older homes lack adequate foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, and proper connections that keep the house from sliding or racking during a quake. These issues are often invisible during normal use.\n\nKey factors:\n- Year built and whether any seismic upgrades have been documented\n- Type of foundation (raised, slab, hillside) and condition\n- Presence of cripple walls, heavy chimneys, or unbraced water heaters\n- Soil conditions and proximity to known faults\n\nSchedule a seismic evaluation; it’s usually quick and relatively inexpensive compared to full retrofitting. Use the findings to prioritize simple, high‑impact upgrades like bolting and bracing.\n\nLocal contractors familiar with Valley homes can quickly spot common pre‑1980 weaknesses that owners rarely notice."
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