Unlike the prescriptive hold-down anchors we used in the stair tower, this is a retrofit hold-down anchor. They look the same, but the difference is that these bolts are sunk into holes drilled into the 100-year-old concrete foundation underneath. They're held in place with epoxy instead of the poured concrete that would otherwise dry around the prescriptive type of anchor.
When you install a retrofit hold-down in Portland, you have to pay a certified testing and inspection company to stand there while your contractors epoxy them into place. This is the most we've ever paid anyone to stand and watch something happen. At least the engineer, Anthony, was a nice guy.
The upside (ha!) is now that we're officially on record as having used city-approved epoxy, we'll hopefully be able to get earthquake insurance. This is probably a good thing to have if you live on the Ring of Fire. We won't know for sure until we talk with our home insurer. We'll be sure to update you later on their verdict.
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