Cripple Wall

Definition

Short walls, less than a full story in height, that run between the foundation and the first floor, creating a crawl space. These must be properly braced to enable them to withstand an earthquake.

Things you need to know

When an earthquake occurs, the most common type of damage is due to a cripple wall collapsing, which causes the main floor to drop. To protect against this, the cripple wall should be braced.

Cost Considerations

Bracing a cripple wall costs $1,000 to $2,000.

Costs vary greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.

Mentioned in

Earthquake Retrofitting Cost