Wind Mitigation Inspection Checklist: Help Your House Resist Wind Damage
Wind mitigation inspections make home life a breeze
When the winds outside are howling, you want to feel confident in your home and safe in knowing that it will protect you from even the most severe storms. Taking time to thoroughly check your home’s resistance to wind helps keep insurance costs down and protects your house and family from wind-related hazards. In this wind mitigation inspection checklist, we’ll break down each step that your home inspector will cover during their visit.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is a type of home inspection that scores your home on its durability against strong winds. It looks at the home’s structural integrity, assesses the strength of doors and windows, and overall checks how the home will hold up in strong winds.
Do I Need a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
Strictly speaking, wind mitigation inspections are never required. However, there are a lot of reasons to get one. For homes in areas that are prone to windstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes, a wind inspection is all but essential to ensure your home stands strong.
This type of inspection doesn’t just save you stress—it can also save you money. Insurance companies charge lower premiums on homes with high wind mitigation scores, especially if you live in an area that gets strong winds.
Having the report from a recent wind mitigation inspection can also raise the value of your home, putting potential buyers at ease and possibly helping you make a quicker sale. When you consider the savings and peace of mind they bring, you’ll likely find the wind mitigation inspection cost to be well worth it.
Roof Inspection Checklist
Your roof is your home’s main protection against all elements, particularly wind. For this reason, the roof is one of the biggest parts of any wind mitigation inspection. You can expect your local inspector to check several aspects of your roof.
Roof Condition
The roof material itself, whether shingles or another kind of covering, is the first line of defense against strong winds. Your inspector will check:
Missing, loose, or damaged parts of the roof
Age of the roof
The attachment method used on the roof
Code compliance
Wind-resistance rating of the roofing
Attachment of Roof Deck to Roof Structure
Your inspector should check the type of roof deck that was used (usually plywood sheeting). They’ll examine how it’s attached to the internal roof structure to determine its wind durability.
Roof-Wall Connections
Wind mitigation inspectors will also check the connections between trusses and rafters to the rest of the structure, determining whether strong winds could disconnect the roof from the home.
Roof Shape
Certain roof shapes are better suited to strong winds—for instance, a square roof with multiple panels and a pitch of 30 degrees is proven to be best protected against high winds. A home inspector will check the contours, height, and pitch of the roof against local wind patterns.
Secondary Water Resistance Barrier (SWR)
Your inspector will check for a secondary water resistance barrier, or SWR. This is a type of membrane that lies underneath the primary roof of your home. In the event that your roof is blown off or severely damaged, this barrier will prevent the bulk of rainwater from getting into the interior of the home.
Roof Reinforcements
Your inspector should have a look at any roof reinforcements that may be installed, such as hurricane straps or bracing, and check their condition and installation.
Window and Door Inspection Checklist
Openings to the home are another concern when it comes to strong winds, which can damage windows and doors or even send objects flying into them. There are a few things a wind mitigation inspection should look for in regard to doors and windows.
Impact-Resistant Features
Your inspector will check windows and doors for specialized features like:
Impact-resistant glazing
Closing storm shutters
Steel doors
Reinforced window and door attachments
Skylights
As with other kinds of windows, your inspector should check any skylights in the home for reinforced glass to ensure objects carried by strong winds (sometimes referred to as missiles) can’t pass through them.
Garage Door Braces
Because of their large surface area, garage doors in high-wind areas need to be examined for strength and durability. Your inspector will analyze the door, its braces, and how it’s attached to the door jamb for wind resistance.
Wall Inspection Checklist
The walls that surround your home and the reinforcements beneath them are also part of a wind mitigation inspection. The quality and condition of your walls can make a big difference when it comes to mitigating damage from high winds. Here are the main things an inspector will check with your walls:
Wall Construction
The framing method and material of your exterior walls will make a big difference in your home’s wind mitigation inspection score. Your inspector will likely need attic and/or basement access to complete this part of the inspection.
Wall Reinforcements
Your inspector should also check for any concrete or steel reinforcements that are supporting your walls against high winds. As with checking construction, inspectors will need access to your attic and/or basement to check for wall reinforcements.
Wall Condition
The inspector will also need to examine and photograph all exterior walls of your home from both the inside and outside. This helps them determine the overall state of the walls as related to wind protection.