Any book that can save your home and family is good, but one that is clear, entertaining, and money-saving, is a winner. I had a cripple-wall under our house. The book showed me how to install blocking and plywood sheathing for about $20 (plus a morning swinging a hammer in the 3' tall crawlspace), saving hundreds over using a contractor. Securing water heaters, bookshelves, kitchen cabinets, sill-plates, etc. are also covered.One tip not mentioned in the book--attach your knicknacks and crystal display vases to shelves/furniture with Quake Wax. It's expensive but doesn't harm furniture, sticks tenaciously, and comes off when you want. Our house came through the 1989 Bay Area quake just fine!Yanev also talks about the importance of soil and location (his old pictures of devastation in unpopulated areas near Daly City, and new ones of housing tracts now in the same location, are chilling!) Pictures of damaged and undamaged houses in the Bay Area, Gilroy/Los Gatos and Southern California, illustrate the need for and performance of the retrofits. Every do-it-your-selfer in California should buy and use this book.
A must read for anymoe who lives near a fault!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I read this edition and the first edition of this book before the Loma Prieta and Northridge quakes and I chose where I am living based on what Mr Yanev wrote. You are putting your life in danger if you don't read this book and re-examin how your house or apartment are built. I learned more form this book than any other.
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