Wind Mitigation Retrofits: Everything you need to know
What are wind mitigation retrofits?
Retrofitting your external roof-to-wall connection for wind mitigation is a way to get a discount on homeowner's insurance. The roof-to-wall link holds your roof down in high winds and can be attached with nails or engineered hardware. What is an upgrade? And how can you save money on it?
Retrofitting your external roof-to-wall connection for wind mitigation is a way to get a discount on homeowner’s insurance. The roof-to-wall link holds your roof down in high winds and can be attached with nails or engineered hardware. What is an upgrade? And how can you save money on it?
What is a Clip?
“Clips” are a piece of hardware that connects your exterior wall and your roof system. The hardware must have three nails to qualify for the discount. However, many older homes only had two pins. This is a photo of a clip that has three nails.
The three nails that attach to the truss can be seen.
A clip on your home should allow you to receive a discount for wind mitigation that has been "clip" marked. A "no discount" attachment has less than three nails in the truss. A toenail can also be a single nail driven at an angle through the truss into the top plate. It isn't easy to see but can be seen with older homes without hardware, such as the clip.
You must review your wind mitigation form to save money on homeowners insurance. A single wrap may offer a slightly lower discount than the clip. A single wrap wraps around the truss system and has two nails on either side.
How much does retrofitting cost?
A Texas retrofit company charges $950 for repairs that can be made in the attic. The contractor
must attach a nail at each connection point, crawling through the attic. If the contractor doesn’t have access to the attic or needs to add hardware, the cost of retrofitting can go up. The homeowner would have to pay for the removal and installation of soffit vents to reach the point where the truss system meets with the exterior wall.
Is it worth the cost of retrofitting?
The retrofit cost is usually worth it if your upgrade from clip to toenail discount to clip discount is complete. However, you should still call your insurance company to determine what value you currently receive and how much premium you could save if your policy were upgraded. Retrofits can save you between 15% and 20%.