Being a homeowner in Florida comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest threats to your home and roof’s security is a hurricane. In Florida, hurricane season starts on June 1st and lasts until November 30th. One of the best ways to prepare for these storms is to have a wind mitigation inspection.
What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection, also known as uniform mitigation verification inspection (UMVI), is an extremely thorough examination of your home and your roof. It determines how likely damage is to happen to your home and roof in the event of a hurricane or heavy storm with high levels of wind. While the state of Florida does not require you to have a UMVI, it’s is extremely beneficial to have your home and roof inspected before a storm comes.
Benefits of Mitigation Inspections
Being proactive and having a UMVI done in preparation for storm season has multiple benefits including saving you money and giving you peace of mind every storm season.
Receive Discounts on Insurance
When you pass a wind mitigation inspection, you can receive discounts on your insurance and in turn, save a ton of money. By proving your home and roof are both ready to protect you, a UMVI can save you money on your premium.
There is No Risk in Getting an Inspection
There’s absolutely no risk in getting an inspection which is all the more reason to schedule one. With McFall Roofing, we include the cost of a UMVI inspection in our roofing bid, meaning you won’t have to worry about paying for one yourself. By getting an inspection, You reap benefits without compromising your home’s safety. The small investment in an inspection pays for itself and you can only gain more knowledge about the health of your home and roof.
Learn What Improvements You Can Make
If you didn’t pass your inspection, you gain knowledge on pain points in your home and roof’s ability to protect you. It’s better to know and have the problem corrected before heavy wind and rain could ruin your home. Preventative maintenance and repairs cost far less than losing your home or having it ruined by water or wind damage.
What to Expect with an Inspection
When you schedule a UMVI, a certified home inspector will come out to your home and inspect various aspects of your home. attic, and roof. Not only are they looking at the condition of these aspects, but they are also looking closely at the construction of your home and roof.
Requirements to Pass a Wind Mitigation Inspection
Your inspector will record the condition and quality of the following things:
- Doors and windows: Your home’s doors and windows should be able to withstand heavy wind and protect against the threat of projectiles. This includes your garage door as well as any skylights your home may have.
- Storm shutters: If you don’t have storm shutters already installed, you should show your inspector panels that you have in the event of a hurricane or heavy storm.
- Roof: There are many aspects of your roof that will need to pass inspection to receive any benefits. The condition of your roof, the materials used, how it was constructed, and the shape of the roof are considerations that your inspector will inspect. Your roof should be able to withstand heavy wind gusts and increased amounts of rain.
- Wall and roof attachments: The places where your roof meets your home’s structure should be properly constructed to ensure that your home is protected against the threat of your roof being blown off.
- Home structure: Your home should be designed and engineered to be protected during the storm. Like the roof, it should be properly constructed and use materials that are built to last.
- Year home was built: Building standards have changed in the last 15 years, ensuring that homes built after 2002 are properly constructed. If your home was built before 2002, you may need to make adjustments to clear inspection.
- Roof deck: The underlayment located beneath shingles (if you have an asphalt shingle roof) should protect your home from moisture in the event that shingles are blown off. This is referred to as secondary water resistance. McFall Roofing nails down the roof deck in all of our reroof projects, which is one of the biggest requirements for wind mitigation.
Helpful UMVI Reminders
It’s a lot to take in, we know, but you can take some extra steps to ensure that your inspection process is a smooth one.
Before the Inspection
To save time during the actual inspection, be sure to give your inspector any documents about product specifications of your home and roof’s materials, invoices or work orders, and applicable roofing permits. In doing so, you have documentation to back up your home’s ability to protect you.
Importance of Roof Inspections
If you haven’t had your roof inspected before or can’t remember the last time it got checked on, be sure to schedule a roof inspection with one of our roofing contractors. Our team is trained to spot potential problems, offer solutions, and give you peace of mind during the UMVI as well as storm season.
When to Get a UMVI
A wind mitigation inspection is only good for 5 years, so be sure to schedule one every 4 years to ensure you reap the benefits and maintain your home’s ability to protect you. It’s also crucial to schedule your UMVI during winter or spring to make necessary adjustments before hurricane season begins in summer.
Roof Inspections and Improvements with McFall Residential Roofing
A wind mitigation inspection can produce two results. You can either pass the inspection and save money on your insurance. Or, you could learn how to improve both your home and your roof to protect your family during hurricane season. If you are looking to repair, replace, or maintain your roof to meet UMVI requirements, call us today to schedule an inspection! The McFall family wants you and your home to be ready for hurricane season and anything else Florida throws your way!
