- Consider renting a bedroom.
- Create an “outdoor experience” in your backyard.
- Create more liveable space; better-utilize your square footage.
- Eliminate walls; “open up” living spaces.
- Enhance the kitchen.
- Improve your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system.
- Increase water pressure in bathroom showers.
- Inspect and repair/reinforce roofing.
- Upgrade energy efficiency (Florida Power and Light Energy-Saving Programs/Rebates).
- Upgrade water heating system.
Valuable as they are, these tips don’t mention a home improvement that can increase your Florida property value: wind mitigation features.
Wind Mitigation: ‘It’s a Florida Thing’
Wind is one of the 3 major forces that commonly cause property damage in Florida. You can save substantially on your homeowner’s insurance if you can prove your home is less likely to be damaged by high winds.
It just makes sense to consider wind mitigation home improvements. Here’s how:
Wind Mitigation Upgrades, Features for Your Home
First, schedule a wind mitigation inspection with your Central Florida home inspection company. A wind mitigation inspection isn’t free, but your ROI (return on investment) can be substantial. Your inspector will examine:
- Documentation – Do you have paperwork that describes original or most recent roof design and installation?
- Garage doors
- Roof covering, installation – Are the materials Florida-approved?
- Roof deck attachment
- Roof-to-wall ties
- Secondary water barrier – This is a water-resistant roof underlayer.
- Windows, doors – Can they withstand strong winds and wind-borne debris?
Your home inspection company’s checklist may include other items.
3 Wind Mitigation Upgrades
1. Anchoring
Roof anchors can be mounted, roof-to-foundation, which reinforces your home’s walls and helps resist hurricane-force winds. You can also request temporary roof anchoring for what one magazine called, “high-wind events“. Your roofing pro may recommend:
- Better-securing fans, cowlings
- Lightening-protection system
- Re-galvanizing against corrosion-caused blow-offs
- Securing/fastening roof-top mounted condenser units
- Strengthening exposed ductwork
- Wind-load calculation
2. Sealing Your Roof Deck
Some Florida storms are called “gulley washers” for good reason. They may not last long, but their downpours can be substantial. Sealing your roof deck can prevent unwanted water intrusion.
HomeAdvisor says the average cost (nationally) for sealing your roof deck can be between $379-$1,575. The low-end range (according to a roof-sealing calculator) for Volusia County is $746.
Your cost will also vary depending on the type of sealant used. Polyurea (polyurethane) is usually the most expensive. Liquid rubber (EPDM) is usually the least expensive and acrylic, bitumen, and silicone are about the same, cost-wise. Other sealants can include asphalt emulsions and solvent-based asphalt.
3. Windows and Doors
Shatterproof and hurricane-resistant windows can provide priceless safety and damage protection. They are made with impact-resistant glass and can be treated with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
Rather than sending fast-flying glass shards into your home, these windows crack in spider-web patterns. Ask an area windows and doors replacement company if glass treatments are effective, too.
Volusia County Wind Mitigation Inspections
Super Inspection Pros has local, experienced wind mitigation professionals. We have superior knowledge of building construction specific to our area of Florida.
Lowering your insurance costs and increasing the value of your property is just smart financial planning. You want to be sure you’re getting the most accurate information from your home inspection company, too. In order to do that, we use the most up-to-date equipment and technologies in our work.
Call 386-279-0802 or contact us today to get your home hurricane-ready for this year and many more!
