Thinking about an earthquake hitting the Central Coast isn’t something we Californians like to think about. But we also know it’s only a matter of time before one strikes again.
One of the biggest things to keep in mind when it comes to preparing for a temblor is whether your home has an earthquake shutoff valve. Our Nipomo plumbers are here to tell you that every house should have one, and it could save yours from catching fire – or worse – when an earthquake hits.
If that’s not enough, there are multiple other reasons why you should contact our plumbing pros to install an earthquake shutoff valve in your home.
But first, it’s important to know what exactly an earthquake shutoff valve is and what it does.
Earthquake shut-off valves (or sometimes called seismic valves) regulate the flow of natural gas into your home from the street in the event of an earthquake. They are installed directly to your meter, and they work by using motion sensor technology to detect seismic activity and in turn, automatically shut off the gas flowing into your home.
Here are three reasons why you should have an earthquake shutoff valve installed in your home:
- It may be required by law. Some cities and counties in California have regulations that require the installation of automatic gas shut-off devices. Regulations vary but generally apply to new building construction or significant alterations or additions to existing buildings.
- They can lower your earthquake insurance. Having a shutoff valve could lower your earthquake insurance premiums by as much as 5%.
- Peace of mind. A major earthquake can be traumatizing enough, especially if there’s damage to your home, and a shutoff valve is immediate and automatic. Not having to shut off your gas manually to prevent your house from catching fire is one less thing to worry about, and it could save your life.
It’s also important to know all of the regulations involved in correctly installing an earthquake shutoff valve onto your home’s gas line, so it’s best to leave it up to the pros. Our skilled technicians will walk you through the process to ensure the safety of you and your family.
Know that in the event of a disaster big or small, our Nipomo plumbing pros are here to help. Contact our experts online or simply by calling (805) 751-7206 .
