Many of the insurance claims on file are for wind damage and range from $ 1,500 to over $ 20,000 per home. Due to the frequent and expensive nature of wind damage, a home’s ability to withstand strong winds is a major factor in homeowners’ insurance rates and claims. A wind mitigation inspection by a professional inspector on your home can help reduce the cost of insurance premiums by up to 86% of your wind and storm insurance premiums. This article has gathered all the necessary information you need about wind damage inspection and the responsibilities of the respective professional.
What Is Wind Mitigation Inspection?
F Mitigation, in general, is a process in which the severity or impact of an event is mitigated. Wind mitigation is the process of implementing certain building features to strengthen your home’s resistance to damage from high winds. It is not an inspection of your home’s overall construction and foundation and does not define the condition of your house.
The process of inspection accounts for the wind resistance characteristics and capabilities of a house, building, or any other structure. Indeed, the inspections are established to save homeowners money by crediting them with features that mitigate the amount of damage during a storm or any other natural or unnatural disaster.
This type of inspection can only be performed by licensed wind mitigation inspectors, general contractors, contractors, engineers, or building inspectors. A wind mitigation inspector has been trained to ascertain various factors and elements that will identify the level of wind resistance of the home or any residential building.
The Responsibilities Of The Wind Mitigation Inspector
A wind resistance inspection is an examination, investigation of the state of your roof and the techniques used in its construction, and analyzing its strength to withstand any storm or strong winds. Unlike, a common home inspection that is usually carried out before buying or selling a home, the inspection focuses specifically on your roof. For this motive, it will be necessary for someone to be present to allow the real estate inspection personnel to access the roof attic and see the underside of your roof.
Wind mitigation inspections and reports may vary from state to state. All forms include similar information and data for measuring structural integrity in strong winds.
Inspection reports are generally based on an inspection of these characteristics:
- Construction code
- Ceiling covering
- Roof support to bridge inspection
- Ceiling-wall support inspection
- Roof shape and design
- Secondary water resistance
- Opening protections
- Roof age
- Roof material used
Here are a few things home inspectors concentrate on when evaluating your home’s wind resistance:
The Condition And Age Of The Roofing System
Your roof is the first defense against strong winds and any other natural disasters. It is essential to know when the roof was installed and the wind resistance rating of the material used. If the roof meets the code and how it was attached to the roof deck and walls, the report will be satisfactory. Moreover, wind mitigation inspectors also check and make sure everything is up to building codes and authenticate the age of the roof.
Roof To The Wall Support
How the rafters and roof joists attach to the building below is also an important factor. After all, it’s known that storm winds or tornadoes lift the roofs of the house below them. Fitting storm joints and having double protection wraps instead of single. Ones is an advantage in terms of making your place windproof. Additionally, home inspectors will examine the supplies and materials used in your home. For framing, braces, joints, and any other material used for durability and strength of the roofing system.
Roof-Deck Support
Home inspection contractors will see what type of decking is used and whether it is nailed or stapled. It is crucial to know what type of roof deck plywood is typically used, whether it is attached to the roof frame with nails or staples, and the nails’ length and distance.
Roof Shape And Design Inspections
The height, length, shape, slope, and materials of your roof are very important. And it has to do with the prevailing winds where you live. Inspection is done to determine the durability of your roof during very strong winds.
Walls Constructions
The way the walls are framed, the materials it is constructed from. The way they are reinforced with steel or concrete can earn points for wind attenuation.
Opening Protections And Secondary Water Protection
All openings, such as shutters, doors, windows, and slides, however, will be checked to see if they are hurricane proof. Shutters, impact-resistant glass, steel doors, storm-rated doors and windows, and other features. It strengthens your building’s openings can improve your wind resistance support. New homes often have secondary water protection that can protect the inside from wind-driven rain, which can pass through the primary water protection and seals.
