Have you been interested in having your home FORTIFIED™? It is a very smart decision, especially for Gulf Coast residents who want to prepare their home for summer storms. In this blog post we will guide you through the steps on how to prepare for a FORTIFIED™ home inspection.
Fortified Inspections can evaluate your home to ensure it meets the standards established by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
We can help guide you through the process of fortifying your home with one of our FORTIFIED™ roof inspectors and provide a list of recommended contractors.
Understanding FORTIFIED™ home inspections
As the FORTIFIED™ home inspection experts in Alabama (and recent recipient of the 9th Annual FORTIFIED™ Crown Volume Award), we evaluate your home to ensure it meets all the criteria for a FORTIFIED™ home.
There are three levels of certification–Roof, Silver and Gold. Enhancements include sealed and reinforced roof decking, locked down roof edges, added chimney bracing and anchoring, impact-resistant shingles, wind and rain-resistant attic vents, impact-resistant windows and doors, pressure-rated garage doors and more.
These structural improvements help your home resist the damage caused by hurricanes and other storms, lessening the negative impacts that can leave your home exposed to further and costly damage.
The cost saving benefits of a FORTIFIED™ home cannot be understated as many insurance companies offer premium discounts for homeowners who have one installed.
Steps to prepare for a FORTIFIED™ home inspection
Gather the necessary documentation
To begin the process of fortifying your home or roof, you must first select an evaluator or inspector to perform an evaluation.
If you’re applying for the Strengthen Homes Alabama program, a grant that provides up to $10,000 to Alabama residents for home improvements, you will need to have documents on hand to prove ownership of the home.
Prepare your home’s exterior
Prior to the home inspection, clean your home’s gutters. The home inspector will need easy access to inspect for loose or broken shingles, vulnerable roof conditions and possible structural damage around doors and windows.
Remove any debris including tree limbs, pinecones, leaves and other items resting on the roof or home’s structure. Inspectors will need a clear view of shingles, gutters, soffits, window ledges and chimney area.
Perform interior checks
The home inspector may want to access interior spaces to check for any leaks or moisture issues. This includes checking the condition and seals of windows and doors and insulation. Make sure to have a path throughout your home that is free and clear.
Make sure your home is accessible
Remove any exterior items like trash cans, outdoor furniture and grills outside the home so the home inspector can access every part of your home including attics, roof and closets. Make sure interior spaces around closets, stairways and doorways are accessible.
Take additional safety measures
To help the inspection go smoothly, be sure and secure any pets in a safe place in your home. Also, relocate any loose items in your yard away from your house so the home inspector can easily access the entire perimeter of your home from a close distance. Clear the area around your home of any debris or items that could block access to your home’s structure.
Be prepared with a list of questions
It is important for homeowners to have a list of questions to ask your inspector. This will also be a good opportunity to discuss any specific questions or concerns you may have regarding structural issues with your home.
It is important to have a clear understanding of the FORTIFIED™ home inspection process so that you and the home inspector can cover every aspect of your home to ensure that all the structural requirements are met, and your home and family protected.
Conclusion
When you select a FORTIFIED™ home evaluator to inspect your home, you will gain peace of mind and confidence that your home will better withstand high winds, heavy rain, possible tornadoes and other weather-related elements.
We also can provide a list of recommended contractors who can address any structural deficiencies that will require correction to meet the standards for a FORTIFIED™ home.
Take the time now to protect your investment so when the next storm blows in, you and your family will be better protected from costly damage. Contact us today to learn more about fortifying your home.