Geological Sciences


Home Hazard Evaluation

Use the Internet to Evaluate the Safety of Your Home

This page is designed to help present and future homeowners make wise decisions when selecting and purchasing a home. A home is the largest investment that most people ever make. Errors in the decision process can be costly or even tragic. The following paragraphs and web links are intended to help you evaluate the quality of a home, its potential for damage during natural disasters, air and water quality, proximity to Superfund sites, and other factors. The suggestions given here are no means comprehensive or complete. It is wise for the potential homeowner to seek professional help from a geologist, home inspector, and real estate attorney.

EARTHQUAKES

There are two terrific publications available online for the potential or existing homeowner. They use high-quality illustrations and simple language to address home constructed and preparation for earthquakes. They are available in English or Spanish. Start your learning here. This is essential reading for those living in earthquake country. If these publications are not enough, Peter Yanev’s book Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country is available in many bookstores and from Amazon.

Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country

Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety

Go to the Southern California Earthquake Center to learn about earthquakes. You will find clickable fault maps, shake maps, maps of recent earthquakes and lots of additional information. Concentrate on information that helps you learn about your property. For example, what is known about your nearest earthquake fault?

Is it possible for the soil beneath your home to behave like a liquid during an earthquake? Earthquake damage is often more severe in areas of soil liquefaction and soft, weak soil. Use the California Geological Survey web site to check the soil liquefaction potential of your home area. Follow these steps. Click on earthquakes in the left column. Scroll down and click on the words seismic hazard mapping program. Click on Quick View/Download PDF Maps and then on the words Go to Southern California. Green areas on this map are subject to soil liquefaction and more severe shaking during earthquakes.

FLOODS

Learn about floods, flood insurance, and possibly obtain a flood map of your area from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.

Learn about the agency that controls floods and provides many other important services in Los Angeles County – the Department of Public Works.

LANDSLIDES

Determine if landslides a concern for you. The California Geological Survey website provides some help. The maps above that delineate soil liquefaction dangers have blue coloration indicating areas of possible landslide hazards. These maps are very general and do not provide evaluations of individual properties. If landslide dangers are indicated in an area of interest, you will benefit from hiring a professional geologist to evaluate the property before making an investment. In addition, landslide inventory maps are available to a small number of areas.

VOLCANOES

Although volcanoes are not a concern in southern California, they are a threat in northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Start your research with the USGS Volcano Hazards Program (VHP). From there you can link to a volcano observatory in the area that interests you. The Cascade Volcano Observatory, for example, provides several maps illustrating the dangers that Mt. Rainier presents.

DRINKING WATER

What’s in your water? Check out the Water Quality at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Want more information about your drinking water? There is a wealth of information at the National Drinking Water Clearinghouse.

Do some research on your watershed. Use the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine where your water comes from and what environmental concerns exist within that area.

SUPERFUND SITES

What are Superfund Sites? Go to the Environmental Protection Agency for excellent information.

Is there a local EPA Superfund Site that could affect your health or property value? Find out by going to this web site and clicking on your state.

AIR QUALITY

What is the quality of the air you breathe? Start with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to answer this question.

Check the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) for specific information about the south coast area.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Would you like to have training in emergency preparedness? Or would you just like to have more information on how you and your family can be better prepared for an emergency? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) works closely with the Los Angeles Fire Department to train and prepare the public for emergencies. They have an outstanding website from which you can download manuals and lots of other information to prepare you, your family, and your home for natural disasters. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. Check it out.

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Additional Suggestions on Purchasing a Home

Visit the California Geological Survey (CGS) at 888 S. Figueroa Street, Suite #475, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 239-0878 Show the people at CGS the exact location of the property you are considering. Ask them to review all possible hazards with you. Is soil liquefaction likely during earthquakes in the area that you wish to live? How close is the nearest earthquake fault? Ask for Seismic Hazard Assessment Maps for your area. Call before you go. Ask when a geologist will be available to answer your questions.; Hire a home inspector to examine the home during the first 10 days of escrow.; California law requires the seller to disclose a tremendous amount of information to you during escrow. Be smart and read it all. Don't be afraid to ask for more information.; If you are moving into a subdivision, get a copy of the Geotechnical Report and read it. This may be obtained from the city or the developer.; Landslides and erosion are additional hazards in hillside areas. Erosion will be your responsibility and must be controlled with ground cover. Ask the geologist that you hire to examine the landslide and erosion hazard for you.; Do not fall in love with any house before you actually own it. Be cautious, analytical, and thorough. Work with check lists to be sure that a property has what you want. Make a complete list of pros and cons for any property that you are seriously considering. Draw the floor plan and imagine yourself living there.; Meet people in the neighborhood before you close a deal. What is it like there during heavy rain? Are there any other problems that concern you?; If you are considering a condominium, avoid all structures that have the "soft" first floor. These are buildings with parking beneath. They lack adequate lateral bracing for California earthquakes.; Keep in mind all other environmental factors: climate, smog, trees, traffic, sources of industrial pollution, schools, barking dogs, noisy neighbors, etc. Even Google Earth can be helpful in considering traffic, commuting distances, and flood hazards.; Do not rush. Thoroughly research your subject. Have a pre-approved loan before searching for a home. Get professional help and don't try to cut corners on this. The professional help will probably cost less than 1% of the purchase price of the home or less than 1 or 2 monthly payments on your mortgage.

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