Always best to be prepared before your retrofit inspection. Here is a quick list of items you can take care of before the retrofit inspection arrives at your door. The more prepared you are the more money you will save.
- Smoke Detectors – Replace any non-working smoke detectors with new working ones. Replace ‘like for like’ type of detectors. If they are hardwired, hire an electrician to make sure all detectors are clean and are working. A quick way to tell if a hard wired detector is working is if you see a continuous (usually green) light on, that means it is getting power. No light? It may be disconnected from its power source. Check with an electrician or handyman before hand and fix any electrical problems. We can refer a good electrician if needed. Do not purchase non-compliant California smoke detectors from Amazon or Ebay or elsewhere – make sure they are CA compliant. More on that here.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Purchase locally from Home Depot or Lowes and install one CO detector per level, near the bedroom hallway. CO detectors can either be battery type, hard wired or the plug-in type of detector. Make sure it any existing CO detector works and you know where they should be located.
- Toilets and Showerheads – If you have any questions about if one or more of your toilets are low flow, send us a photo of them to 310.800.4418 and we should be able to verify if they are or not. Showerheads are typically always compliant, depending on the city.
- Earthquake Shut Off Valve – If you are not sure if you have one or not, send a photo of your gas meter to 310.800.4418 and we should be able to verify. The earthquake shut off valve should be located within 18″ of the gas meter. If the gas meter is under the house, send us a photo of the meter or meters as well as the access door or grate to the meter(s).
- Slider Dooring – Not sure if your slider door is glazed or not? Send us a photo of your door to 310.800.4418 and we should be able to verify. Not all cities require this requirement.
- Hot Water Heater Strapping – Not sure if you water heater is strapped correctly? Send us a photo of your door to 310.800.4418 and we should be able to verify. Water heaters need to be correctly double strapped in the state of California to avoid tip over in case of a major earthquake.
If you have any questions about the retrofit inspection, or want more information about what you should purchase or repair before your retrofit inspection, feel free to call us at 310.800.4418.
