It’s that special time of year, when homeowners often flaunt their seasonal décor. You know, the fancy wooden window coverings – sometimes embellished with a little spray paint art. And don’t forget the beach-themed yard ornaments in the form of sandbags.
In the midst of the decorating frenzy and excitement of the season [read: anxiety over an impending storm], many homeowners often forget about the biggest area that needs protection… the roof!
No, we’re not suggesting you board your roof. Especially not when getting a wind mitigation inspection is much more effective.
Your roof is the first line of defense against wind and water intrusion. It’s a no-brainer to have it inspected, if for no other reason than to ensure you quite literally keep a roof over your head.
But wait, there’s more! Wind mitigation inspections may provide you significant savings on your homeowners’ insurance. KC Inspections FL recently saved one homeowner more than $1,000 on their insurance premium with a wind mitigation inspection costing only $110!
A wind mitigation inspection is the ONLY inspection that can significantly reduce the cost of your insurance policy. That’s because this inspection helps determine whether your home has features that drastically decrease severe property loss from storm winds. If your roof is sound – and you haven’t had a wind mitigation inspection – you’re probably paying too much for your homeowners’ insurance coverage.
Forget waiting for annual Black Friday deals, and enjoy these savings year-round.
So, what in the world is a wind mitigation inspection and how do you cash in on this deal?
In short, a wind mitigation inspection looks at seven key areas of your home to check wind-resistant features, and ultimately helps determine your home’s ability to withstand strong winds.
During a wind mitigation inspection, KC Enterprises adheres to requirements put forth by the insurance industry, and considers the following seven indicators of your home’s ability to withstand strong winds.
Wind Mitigation Inspection Checklist
Building code: Was your home built in compliance with the Florida Building Code 2001 or later, or South Florida Building Code 94?
Roof covering: What type of roof covering does your home have? That is, what material is your roof made of: asphalt/fiberglass shingle; concrete/clay tile; metal; built up; membrane; or other.
Roof-deck attachment: How well is your roof deck secured to the truss/rafter and what is the strength of the attachment?
Roof-to-wall attachment: How well is your roof attached to the walls of your home? There are five primary types of connections: (A) toenails, (B) clips, (C) single wraps, (D) double wraps, and (E) anchor bolt.
Roof geometry: What is the shape of your roof? Hip roof, flat roof or other? This has a big impact on how well your roof withstands winds.
Secondary water resistance: Does your home have a self-adhering protective layer under the primary roof coverings (like shingles)?
Opening protection: Does your home have “glazed openings” (i.e. openings with windows or glass) and “non-glazed openings” (e.g. solid entry or garage doors) and are these items impact-rated or protected with impact-rated coverings?
As you can see from the list, some wind mitigation components can be added (such as shutters, truss straps) while others – like the shape of your roof – are harder to change.
Cash-In on the Savings
The following components are generally considered the “safest” for most homes:
Roofing materials and installation that meet Florida building codes.
A roof-deck attachment with plywood/OSB sheathing with a minimum thickness of 7/16 an inch attached to the truss by 8d nails spaced 6 inches apart.
A roof-wall attachment that uses double wraps (metal connectors that are attached to the wall frame and wrap over the top of the truss).
A hip roof (a roof where the ends and side incline).
Secondary water resistance under the roof covering and over the sheathing.
Impact-resistant coverings verified for cyclic pressure and large missiles (9 pounds for windows / doors and 4.5 pounds for skylights) over all glass openings, doors and non-impact rated items.
After the inspection is complete, our inspectors will offer suggestions that could improve the sustainability of your property. You’ll likely receive the most savings if you take our inspectors’ suggestions, which will also add to the value of your home. You can make changes to your property or simply submit your wind mitigation report to your homeowners’ insurance agent.
Then, get ready to save! Wind mitigation inspections in Florida are valid for five years. Put another way, you pay for the inspection, but it saves you money on your home insurance premium EVERY year for five years.
One note of caution… a wind mitigation inspection is NOT an inspection of the overall structure of your home and does NOT determine the condition of your home. If you’re interested in knowing the overall condition of your home, we suggest also doing a full home inspection.
While a wind mitigation inspection won’t eliminate your storm decorating, it may just make the process a little more enjoyable with your newfound peace of mind and savings.
To learn more or schedule your wind mitigation inspection today, email us at admin@kcefl.com. Have additional questions? Feel free to call KC Inspections Florida at 352.538.5796.