Wind Mitigation in Polk City, FL
Clifton Home Inspections
Wind Mitigation inspections offered by Home Inspectors measure and identify the particular attributes of your home which protect it from hurricane and wind damage. Our Wind Mitigation service includes a thorough assessment of your home, including roofing, windows, and doors, to identify areas that may be vulnerable to wind damage. We provide a detailed report of our findings which may qualify you for a discount on your homeowners insurance.
Steps of a Wind Mitigation Report:
Building Code- When was your home Built?
In this step we determine the age of your home. This is important because building codes have changed over time. A home built in 1960 was not built to satisfy the building codes in effect today, or ten years ago, and so on. Your insurance company will want to know what year your home was built, in order to know what set of building codes it was built in accordance with.
Roof Covering- What type of roof is on your home and how old is it?
This step identifies what type of roof you have covering your home. (Shingle, Metal, Rolled, Flat, etc.) In this step we also determine the age of your roof. Insurance companies will want to know this information, because a newer roof will have a longer lifespan remaining than an older roof. In addition, different roof materials have different lifespans.
Roof Deck Attachment- How is the sheathing of your roof attached to your home?
On this step, we will identify what type of sheathing you have (Plywood, OSB, Batten Decking, Dimensional Lumber, Tongue and Groove, etc.) and how thick it is. We will verify that your trusses/rafters are spaced no further than 24 inches apart. Additionally we measure/identify the nails used to attach the sheathing to the truss or rafter. Finally, the distance between the nails will be measured. All of this information will be used to help determine the uplift resistance on your roof, measured in pounds per square foot or "psf".
Roof to Wall Attachment- How is the roof of your home attached to the walls of your home?
This is where we identify how the trusses or rafters of your home are attached to your walls. Some trusses and rafters will be attached via a large nail being driven diagonally through the rafter into the wall framing. Some trusses are attached by a metal clip with at least three nails. Many homes have a piece of metal that is secured to the wall frame and wraps up over the top of the truss, and has at least one nail on the opposite side. Some builders will use two of these straps to create a "double wrap." The insurance company will want to see at least 3 of these connections (I always photograph 4, just in case.)
Example of a single wrap
Example of a metal clip
Roof Geometry- What shape is your roof?
The insurance company will want to know how your roof was designed and shaped. Most homes will either be flat roofs, gable roofs, or hip roofs. Your inspector will be able to identify this by just by simply looking at the roof (Or should be able to... if not fire them immediately).
Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)- Does your roof have a "backup layer"?
This step determines if your home has a secondary layer of protection from water damage, should the above layers fail. No, the felt paper underlayment that was installed under your shingles doesn't count.
Opening Protection- Do you have a shutter system or impact resistant windows, skylights, doors, or garage doors?
In this step we will determine the weakest form of protection that your home has against impacts from debris for doors, windows, garage doors, glass block, etc.
Give Clifton Home Inspections a call to schedule your Wind Mitigation inspection in Polk City, FL today.
