What exactly are the Florida Wind Mitigation Requirements and how to do you ensure your home is up to “code”?
What is The Wind Mitigation?
The Florida Wind Mitigation, also known as, the Florida Uniform Wind Mitigation Report, is a standard form that is made up of 7 questions. Each question is a chance to receive a discount on your homeowner’s insurance based on what you have.
With that in mind there are not really requirements or code requirements. However, each one is an available discount for you.
How Can You Maximize The Florida Wind Mitigation Requirements/Discounts?
To understand how to maximize your discounts, you will need to understand each question. Let’s go over each one and what you can do to maximize your discount.
Florida Building Code
The first question is on Florida Building Code: If your home application permit was pulled after March 1st, 2002. In other words, your house was built after March 1st, 2002.
If your home was built before March 1st, 2002 you cannot qualify for this discount, plain and simple.
Roof Florida Building Code
This is just like the above question, however, the permit application is on the roof. So, if your roof permit application was pulled after March 1st, 2002 then you qualify for this discount.
This discount can be pretty significant, so if you do not already qualify for this discount then you can purchase a new roof and have a wind mitigation done.
Roof Decking Attachment
The roof decking attachment is how your roof decking is attached to your trusses. Most often, if you have a new roof, you qualify for the largest discount available.
Older roof styles may not qualify, which would be shorter nails that are distanced farther apart from each other. In order to qualify for a larger discount the roof will need to be replaced.
To find your roof deck attachment you should call a home inspector. You can also view the links below for additional resources.
Roof to Wall Attachment
This is how your roof is connected to the exterior walls of your home. The largest discounts are known as clips, single wraps, structural attachments, and double wraps.
We cover clips in more detail here which are the most common for a discount. If your home has “toenails” you do not qualify for a discount on this question and will need retrofitting in order to qualify. Most older homes (pre-1980), have toenails.
Roof Geometry
Your roof geometry cannot be changed without large investments, however, in order to receive this discount your home will need more than 90% Hip shape. Home inspectors measure the perimeter of all roof shapes in order to determine percentages.
A Hip featured roof slopse straight down towards the eave rather than having a peak or flat. See these images below to tell the difference.
Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)
All roof installations are required to have a secondary water barrier, but not a resistant barrier.
Secondary water resistance (SWR) is a peel and stick layer that self-adheres to your roof decking. Furthermore, when shingle nails are driven through SWR the SWR is able to water proof those holes.
To determine if you have an SWR, call a home inspector or ask your roofer. If you don’t have an SWR you will have to replace your roof in order to receive this discount.
Opening Protection
This discount category is most often confused. To receive this discount, all windows must have an impact rated shutter or the window must be impact rated itself. This includes window inserts in doors or garage doors, or sliding glass doors.
Special Note: The impact rating must be documented with the words “Large Missle Impact Rated”. Any windows without documentation prohibit the discount.
You can qualify for a first tier discount if all windows and doors (including garage doors) are protected by a shutter or are impact rated. Again, all shutters must be impact rated with documentation.
Summing It Up
Wind mitigation can be difficult to understand. Some contractors to this day still may not understand it. However, Waypoint fully understands the wind mitigation inspection and can help you save money on your home insurance in the Tampa Bay Area.
If you have further questions, comment below! We also have a YouTube video on Florida Wind Mitigation Requirements.
Another great resource is our first ever blog on wind mitigation inspections!
You can view a sample wind mitigation report on our wind mitigation page too!
