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Wind Mitigation Inspection Jacksonville & St. Augustine, FL

Top-Rated Home Inspectors

What is a Wind Mitigation?

Wind mitigation is the use of certain building techniques that limit damage caused by intense wind, such as hurricanes. Here in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine areas, our homes and businesses are at risk for damage by wind not just during hurricane season, but in the winter, as well. Wind mitigation has become increasingly important for homeowners in the Jacksonville region, as insurance companies look to decrease their risk. Some insurance companies will raise rates for homeowners who do not meet the latest state standards, as well. There are also incentives available to help St. Augustine and Jacksonville homeowners make improvements to their homes.  This is the only inspection that can help lower your homeowner’s insurance.

A Few Facts About Windstorms and Wind Insurance

In 2006, Citizens Insurance, one of the largest property insurers in Florida, requested a 45% rate increase for wind insurance. Other insurers took similar actions.

In Florida, the portion of a home owner’s premium covering wind damage can be up to 70% of the total, depending on the location.

Wind mitigation benefits homeowners, private insurers, and all levels of government.

How Getting a Wind Mitigation Report Can Lower Your Insurance

Home insurance companies focus on evaluating and handling risk. So in the state of Florida where strong winds can cause serious damage, you should expect an insurance premium. However, by getting a wind mitigation report with your home inspection, you will be able to cut these expenses.

A wind mitigation report is provided after a home inspector performs an inspection, and looks for techniques to make your home less vulnerable to the risks brought by strong winds (for example, roof deck attachment, shutters, or other construction features). By taking good care of windows, doors, walls, and roofs, your home can be prepared for these winds.

Discounts on Insurance Premiums

In some states, homeowners can benefit from reduced insurance premiums. Following Hurricane Andrew, Florida passed a law requiring insurance companies to offer their customers discounts and credits for existing building features and home improvements that reduce damage and loss from wind. To qualify for this discount, homes must undergo a certified home wind inspection. However, many Floridians do not know of this law.

Those with windstorm insurance can avoid a costly deductible. Deductibles for homes in hurricane-prone areas can exceed $20,000, meaning that mild to moderate wind damage might not be covered by insurance at all. If proper wind mitigation techniques have been used, these expenses can be avoided.

Wind mitigation helps protect the home from damage. Even if a home is insured, it is always costly when a house is damaged, both for the homeowner and the insurer. Repairs can take months, especially during material shortages that often follow hurricanes and storms that destroy entire communities, as was the case after Hurricane Katrina.

Lenders in Florida require homeowners to carry windstorm insurance in order to be approved for a mortgage. Insurers may not provide windstorm insurance to homes that are vulnerable to wind damage.

Checklist For Wind Mitigation Techniques

  • Garage Doors

    These commonly fail during windstorms due to inadequate door-track strength and mounting systems and flimsy metal panels.

    The following features can protect a garage door from wind damage:

    • no windows;
    • the tracks for the door that have six to nine mounting brackets, or continuous mounting;
    • track brackets that are securely attached to the wall; and
    • horizontal and/or vertical reinforcement on all panels.
  • Windows & Doors

    Glass doors and windows should be replaced with impact-resistant glass. They should be structurally attached to the building to prevent the entire window from popping out of its frame. Sliding glass doors are especially vulnerable to flying debris due to their large expanse. Once an opening is created during a windstorm, the pressure within the house can rise high enough to cause the roof to fail in areas of low pressure. The picture to the right demonstrates how these areas of low pressure can form.

  • Roof Covering

    There are many kinds of roof covering materials, and some resist wind damage better than others. The most common roof covering materials in Florida are composition shingles and tiles. A key factor in roof covering performance is the method of attachment of the roof covering material to the roof deck. Nails, not staples, should be used to fasten these materials.

  • Roof Shape

    “Roof shape” refers to the geometry of the roof, rather than the type of roof covering. The end-walls of gable roofs extend vertically to the sloping roofline. These gable end-walls, if not properly built or braced, have been known to fail outward due to the negative suctions on the wall. Additionally, field testing has shown that hip roofs receive up to 40% less pressure from wind than gable roofs.

  • Roof Deck Attachment

    According to insurance claim data, a house becomes a major loss once the roof deck fails, even partially. The most common roof deck types are plywood and OSB. The most important feature of the roof deck by far is the attachment to the framing compared to the deck’s thickness. The following building techniques can help prevent wind damage:

    • roof coverings using shingles that meet the FBC requirements;
    • roof decks that have been installed with large nails and close spacing;
    • hurricane clips/straps that hold the roof structure to the walls; and protection of windows and glass doors with impact-resistant glazing or other protection systems.
  • Roof-to-Wall Connections

    This connection is a critical safeguard that keeps the roof attached to the building and acts to transfer the uplift loads into the vertical walls. This connection is crucial to the performance of the building due to the large negative pressures acting on the roof. Proper installation is essential to connector performance.

  • Secondary Water Resistance

    This is a layer of protection that shields the home in the event that the roof covering fails. It will reduce leakage if the shingles are blown off. A secondary water barrier is relatively rare in homes. The two most common types are:

    • self-adhering modified bitumen underlayment, which is applied to the exterior of all joints; and
    • foam seal, which is sprayed onto the underside of the decking.

    In 2009, InterNACHI developed a wind mitigation certification program for inspectors.  It is approved by most insurance companies and the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. Inside & Out Property Inspectors, Inc. has completed this additional training and is certified to conduct wind mitigation inspections.