Wind Mitigations
Wind Mitigation Inspection in The Villages, Florida
A wind mitigation inspection (also called a windstorm mitigation inspection) is when a certified inspector checks your home’s wind-resistant features. These features can be anything from door/window coverings to the way your roof is attached to your home to how your roof is sealed to prevent water from entering. Though a wind mitigation inspection is not required to get Florida homeowners insurance, it can result in substantial savings.
What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection looks at seven key areas of your roof to determine its ability to withstand strong winds and water intrusion.
During a storm (yes, even a typical summer thunderstorm), heavy winds can push rain against your home, where, being water, it will find its way into any crack or crevice.
Your roof is the first line of defense against wind, which is why wind mitigation inspections focus on your roof.
What to Expect From Your Wind Mitigation Inspection
A wind mitigation inspection is a visual examination of the condition of your roof and the techniques used during its construction.
Unlike a typical home inspection, a wind mit inspection focuses on your roof. For this reason, someone will need to be present to allow the inspector to access the attic and view the underside of your roof.
The inspector is also required to take photos of your roof. This strengthens the validity of their report and helps combat fraud (which is rampant in the Florida building industry).
A typical wind mitigation can be performed in under an hour and the inspection cost is similarly low: roughly $100. But price should be far from your primary concern.
Most importantly, make sure you use an honest, trustworthy, and accurate home inspector or other professional. If you need a referral, Harry Levine Insurance can provide you with the names of several local inspectors that we know and trust.
What Does A Wind Mitigation Inspection Look For?
Construction Year: the year your home was built, which tells the home inspector how strict the building codes were;
Roof Covering: the type of roof covering (shingle, tile, etc.) and age of the roof;
Roof Decking: the material your decking (i.e. the material your shingles are nailed to) is made of, the type of nails securing the shingles, and how far apart the nails are;
Roof To Wall Attachment: the method used to attach the roof to your walls;
Roof Shape: the shape and slope of your roof;
Secondary Water Resistance: the type of material between the shingles and roof decking;
Opening Protections: whether you have additional protections on openings such as sunroofs, garage doors, windows, etc.
The newer, stronger, and better constructed your roof is, the more protection it can provide against wind damage.
Why Do Florida Homeowners Need Wind Mitigation Inspections?
Savings
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, 15% – 70% of home insurance premiums in Florida can be attributed to wind-damage risk. While there is an upfront cost involved, outfitting your home with wind mitigation features can result in significant long-term savings.
Safety
In addition to saving you money, mitigating your home against severe weather can also protect your family in the event of a major storm. Installing hurricane shutters on your windows or hurricane straps on your roof reduces the risk of flying debris penetrating your home and putting your family in danger.
