[lucysmom]

Right now I live in a house constructed around 1910. Over the years, its been rewired, gotten a new furnace, and the plumbing, pipes - not fixtures, has been updated. But where do you get the idea that it would have to be re-framed or reinforced for earthquakes? It has been through one major quake and numerous smaller quakes without suffering one bit of damage. The inspector I had look it over after the major quake was very impressed with the quality of construction and materials used.

The point I was trying to make was that there would be a continuous demand for new refrigerators even if the old ones were built to last because the number of new households is constantly increasing as are the number of new office buildings; and eventually the old ones would ware out.

Perhaps if appliances were built to last, the average American consumer would have a couple of bucks in the bank.

[patton]

Depending on where you live, of course, the rules can be pretty harsh.

Just about everywhere, exposing the studs requires bringing the framing up to code - fire stops, etc.

So a reinsulation job (plaster out) requires reframing. All of it has to be brought up to code, and...well, they don't make 'em like they used to (thank god). I have seen some 1950's house framing that would not pass for a doghouse.

In CA, this means you also have to meet earthquake code - bolting, anchors, rebars, etc.

Cheaper to knock it down and start over.