Wind Mitigation Inspection $90
What is Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation is the implementation of building features to reduce the risk of damage caused by a windstorm. The state of Florida passed a law that requires home owners insurance carriers to offer their customers “credits” if their home has at least one of the required building features, or has made qualifying home improvements to reduce the damage in the event of a windstorm.
We provide wind mitigation inspections to help homeowners in Northwest and Central Florida save a significant amount on their home owners insurance. Our wind mitigation inspectors are licensed by the State and skilled at finding the building features that will protect your home, and save you money.
A wind mitigation inspection in Florida is the only way to determine if your home meets the States’ building feature requirements to receive a premium discount. Our inspectors will look for these “credits” to get you the maximum discount possible.
Is your home equipped to handle high pressure winds?
What to expect during a wind mitigation inspection
If you have never had a wind mitigation inspection in Florida, you may be wondering what to expect. The wind mitigation inspection is non-invasive and fairly quick and painless. The inspection is well worth it for the savings you could possibly receive. The inspector will arrive at the scheduled time and take a brief walk through and around the home. The inspector will look at the structures in the attic to take some measurements and photos.
The best way to expedite the inspection process, is to ensure the inspector has clear access to the attic, garage, openings, and around the home. Have any paperwork or permits handy that provides information on any updates such as; roof, hurricane windows and shutters, garage door etc.
Wind Mitigation Inspection Checklist:
The inspector will be looking for certain features during the Florida wind mitigation inspection. Having these features can determine the amount you may save on your homeowners insurance. Insurance carriers want to know.
Opening Protection- Glass windows and doors are exceptionally vulnerable to damage during a hurricane. Once an opening is created due to the high winds, the pressure inside the home can rise and cause the roof to fail in the areas of low pressure. The best option is to replace all glass openings with hurricane impact-resistant glass. This ensures they are structurally attached, reducing the risk of pop-outs that can lead to extreme damage.
Your inspector will evaluate your windows and doors to see if they are impact-resistant or if you have hurricane shutters that qualify for the wind mitigation inspection. If you have updated your home with hurricane windows or shutters, it’s important to have documentation via receipts or permits.
Roof Covering- The material covering your roof is not created equally. Some materials are better made to withstand damage. The most common roofs you will find on homes in Florida are composition shingles and tile. An essential factor that determines the performance of the roof covering, is the method in which the roof covering material is attached to the roof deck.
The best way to fasten the material to the roof deck is to use nails. This is one of the features your inspector will locate and take measurements and photos of the nails.
Roof coverings using materials that meets FBC requirements.
Garage doors- These typically fail during windstorms due to inadequate door tracks and mounting systems or weak metal panels.
features that can improve the wind stability of a garage door are:
Garage doors with continuous mounting or tracks with at least 6 six mounting brackets.
Track brackets that remain securely mounted to the wall.
Garage door reinforcement panels.
Garage doors without windows.
The inspector will evaluate your garage door to see if it qualifies for a wind mitigation discount.
Roof Deck Attachment- A house can undergo significant damage and loss if the roof deck fails. The roof decks’ attachment to framing is more important than it’s thickness when it comes to wind resistance. The most commonly seen roof decks in Florida are OSB and Plywood.
The existing or updated roof deck features that can significantly improve the stability are:
Large nails and close spacing is major when installing a roof deck
Windows and doors that have impact resistant protection will reduce the risk of the uplift.
Hurricane clips or straps the roofs’ structure to the wall
Secondary Water Barrier- SWR is a layer of protection that guards the home from water damage if the roof fails. It will reduce the amount of water that enters the home if the shingles are blown off. Insurance companies will provide an additional discount on your wind mitigation inspection if your home has a qualifying self-adhered secondary water barrier. The type of water barrier installed in your home will be listed on the roofing contract.
Roof to wall Connection- The connection is crucial if you want to keep the roof attached to the building. It helps transfer the upload lifts into the vertical walls. Proper installation is required to ensure it’s functionality. Hurricane clips and straps are common roof to wall connections your inspector will look for. The inspector will include a photo that shows the type of connection your home has.
If you want to learn more about the savings you can receive with a wind mitigation inspection or are ready to schedule your wind mitigation inspection in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, or Orange County,
contact us today!