The wind mitigation inspection form was created around 2004, by the state of Florida in order to require Florida home insurers to give credits or discounts to those home owners who meet certain building code requirements.
The report, also known as the 1802 form, is seven questions. Each one will be broken down below:
1. Building Code
To receive this credit, your home must have a building permit application date after March 1st, 2002. If your home was built before this date, it is not necessarily a bad thing, it just means you do not qualify for a discount.
2. Roof Covering
Do you have a newer roof? To receive this discount you must have a roof permit application date after March 1st, 2002.
3. Roof Deck Attachment
What is holding your roof deck sheathing down? This is a question about the type of nail and how many were used. This can be found in your attic using a metal detector. Your inspector can tell you what you have installed, but new roof coverings, after 2007, are required to have an 8d nail installed every six inches which qualifies for a discount. Keep in mind, there are other ways to receive this discount without having a new roof.
4. Roof to Wall Attachment
What is the weakest roof to wall connection? Your home may have (listed from weakest to strongest): toenails, clips, single wraps, or double wraps. Again, this discount can be confusing as certain attachments require a certain number of nails.
5. Roof Geometry
What is the shape of your roof? The roof shapes are: hip, flat, or other. Most homes fall in the “other” category. To receive the discount, your roof covering must be hip which means 90% of your roof slopes down to an exterior wall at a pitch greater than 2/12. In simple terms, the triangles above garage doors and entry doors restrict you from receiving this discount.
6. Secondary Water Resistance
Roof coverings have an underlayment installed. The type of underlayment can be viewed from the attic, but to qualify for the discount, your underlayment must be self-adhering. Secondary water resistance (SWR) is typically sticky and shiny.
7. Opening Protection
The hardest discount to receive is if your home has impact rated shutters or windows. This is an all or nothing discount meaning every window must be protected by an impact rated shutter, fabric, or be an impact rated window. Documentation of impact rating has to be proven so it needs to be available to the inspector; keep all receipts of shutters or window installations.
Moreover on this discount, if all windows and doors (garages, entry doors, side entry doors) are impact rated or having a shutter, then your home qualifies for the best opening protection credit.
Some things to keep in mind on your wind mitigation report.
As you receive more discounts, the amount in credit diminishes. Before you purchase shutters or a new roof to receive a discount, talk with your agent about how much money the adjustment to the report will save you. Sometimes, it may not be worth the investment.
The wind mitigation is not a pass or fail inspection, it can only help you depending on what you have. The typical cost of a wind mitigation inspection is $100 from a licensed home inspector.
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