You made the smart decision to better protect you and your family with a FORTIFIED™ home. It’s important to maintain that FORTIFIED™ certification (issued every 5 years) to ensure your home continues to safeguard you from the severe weather conditions typical along the Gulf Coast.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has standards to maintain for FORTIFIED™ certification including sealed roof decks, chimney bracing, reinforced soffits, locked down roof edges, impact resistance windows, gable end bracing, garage doors and so much more.
RELATED: Is a FORTIFIED™ worth it?
If you’re thinking about making home improvements or repairs, it is important to contact a FORTIFIED™ Evaluator before you do. Certification cannot be automatically awarded if the improvements or repairs were not completed correctly. The question is: How does your home’s FORTIFIED™ certification affect your ability to make repairs or have upgrades on your home?
Key considerations before repairs, remodeling or making upgrades to your home
While a FORTIFIED™ home is made to withstand high winds, rain and other severe weather, there could still be repairs or upgrades necessary following a harsh weather event.
Shingles, metal and tile, have limitations, so the sealed roof deck helps prevent further loss in high winds. Although FORTIFIED™ roofs have been tested against 130 mph winds, falling trees can wreak havoc on any roof system.
Inspecting and repairing damage is crucial, particularly when repairing or replacing skylights or venting systems on your roof, to avoid jeopardizing your recertification. It is equally important to use the correct materials and methods during repairs to maintain your FORTIFIED™ designation.
Consulting a FORTIFIED™ evaluator
Before beginning any repair or remodel work on your home, consult with a FORTIFIED™ roofing expert. Structural changes to your home, if not done correctly, can interfere with this system of protection, void your certification and leave it vulnerable to damage.
For example, replacing a skylight with new plywood or shingles without using the correct nails or properly sealing the seams can leave your home vulnerable to damage.
Likewise, larger modifications, like tying a covered porch into your roof structure or installing (or partially installing) a new roof can have even bigger impacts on your home’s resilience to storms.
Typically, your home’s FORTIFIED™ designation must be renewed every time your roof is replaced. A certified FORTIFIED™ evaluator ensures a home continues to meet the standards by reviewing the current condition of the home, documenting the construction process with photos and videos and submitting documentation to the IBHS for continued certification.
Fortified Inspections understands the standards of FORTIFIED™ construction and will make sure your home adheres to those standards even after any repairs or remodels are complete.
With years of experience and up-to-date building science, our team has the know-how to make changes to your home without jeopardizing its certification. If you are considering a remodel or modification to your FORTIFIED™ home, call us first!
Handling repairs after severe weather
After having repairs made to your home after severe weather, you want your FORTIFIED™ designation to remain in place. The first step is to report any damage to your insurance company. Make sure the adjuster understands you have a FORTIFIED™ home.
It is important to hire a certified evaluator to complete an inspection. Documenting and repairing roof damage after a storm requires a certified contractor to follow certain standards.
RELATED: Preparing Your Alabama Home for Summer Storms
For more information about making repairs or modifications click here to download Roof Repair Checklist.
Conclusion
Having a FORTIFIED™ home helps protect your investment and family from costly damage caused by storms. Your home can still be damaged by high winds, falling trees, driving wind and tornados.
Hiring a FORTIFIED™ Evaluator before beginning repairs or remodels is crucial to maintaining your home’s certification. A simple consultation can save you money and time in the long run, and keep your home protected for the future and give you peace of mind.