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Check your Home after an Earthquake (Farmville, VA)

Reblogger
Real Estate Broker/Owner with State Wide Realty Co. 0225108792

Earthquakes are not common in South Central Virginia, so it's no surprise when we don't know how to react. Now that we're all done calling to check on family and friends, David has some great ideas we can use to check our property for any damage caused in today's quake.

Original content by David Artigliere

Check your Home after Earthquake (Phoenixville, PA)

I was at home near Phoenixville working in my office when I felt my first earthquake!  News reports are still coming in, but apparently the epicenter of the earthquake is in Virginia and has been felt up and down the East Coast.  News reporters are saying the magnitude of this earthquake is 5.8 which is very unusual and large for this part of the country.

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Some of you might wonder what to do after an earthquake when it comes to your home.  Here are a few initial things you want to do after you make sure everyone in your household is safe:

•   Inspect gas lines
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home.  If you turn off the gas yourself, it should be turned back on by a professional.
 

•  Look for electrical system damage
If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. 



•  Clean up
Make sure to clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.  Again, leave your home if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.

 
•  Inspect your chimney
Look at the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.  If you aren't sure, get a licensed chimney sweep company out prior to using the chimney.
 

•  Check for sewage and water lines damage
If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, call a plumber and avoid using the toilets.  If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from your tap.  Drink bottled water or melt ice cubes in the meantime.


•  Open cabinets cautiously
I'm not sure how much shaking you experienced, but I have heard this tips from friends on the West Coast.  Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

 

Get additional tips from FEMA


It's important to check your home after an earthquake to ensure the
continued safety of your family!

david artigliere

David Artigliere with ARTI Home Inspections LLC is a Home Inspector in Phoenixville, Norristown, Reading, Philadelphia, Pottstown & Surrounding Eastern PA. 

He is available for Home Inspections 7 days a week and can be reached at (610) 220-1907.

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Comments (8)

Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Basement leaks will be showing up long after the earthquake is forgotten.

Aug 23, 2011 08:36 AM
Larry Atkins
State Wide Realty Co. - Farmville, VA
Veteran Owned & Operated

Dave, that is true. But with the hurricane towards the east coast, I'm sure we'll get some rain to test it out a bit.

Aug 24, 2011 03:23 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Larry, it sure was a surprise to see one out there!   We actually had one in Southern Colorado yesterday morning too!   Mother Nature is playing tricks!

Aug 24, 2011 03:39 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Larry  The heavy rains over the weekend assured my my roof and foundation survived the earthquake

Aug 31, 2011 03:19 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good selection for a re-blog.  Most of us in the area are not accustomed to earthquakes.

Have a great weekend!

 Life is good!

Kentlands flowers.  Photograph by Roy Kelley.

Sep 02, 2011 11:27 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Larry  I hope the fact you haven't posted in quite a while is due to a lot of business activity

Oct 01, 2011 10:11 AM
Pam Dent
Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc. - Charlottesville, VA
REALTOR® - Charlottesville Virginia Homes / Horse

Laarry - How much earthquake damage did you have in Farmville?  My home is 15 miles from the epicenter.  However I was lucky and didn't have any real damage.

Oct 04, 2011 03:00 PM
Larry Atkins
State Wide Realty Co. - Farmville, VA
Veteran Owned & Operated

Pam - No major damage here, I have only heard of a few minor building cracks.  We were very fortunate.

Oct 07, 2011 03:33 AM