Roof Upgrade – Third Nail
1. What is the Third Nail upgrade?
The Third Nail upgrade reinforces your roof’s truss-to-wall connection by adding a third nail to existing metal clips, increasing the roof’s wind resistance.
2. Why is adding a third nail important?
It strengthens the connection between your roof and walls, reducing the risk of uplift during high winds or hurricanes.
3. Can the Third Nail upgrade help lower insurance costs?
Yes. Insurance companies often offer discounts for homes with improved roof-to-wall connections verified through a wind mitigation inspection.
4. How long does the Third Nail installation take?
Most installations take one day or less, depending on the home’s size and accessibility of the attic space.
5. Is the Third Nail upgrade required by Florida Building Code?
While not mandatory for all homes, it is strongly recommended for older homes built before modern hurricane codes.
Roof Retrofit – Hurricane Clips
6. What are hurricane clips?
Hurricane clips are metal connectors that secure roof trusses or rafters to wall plates, preventing the roof from lifting during strong winds.
7. How do hurricane clips improve wind mitigation?
They create a stronger tie between the roof and structure, significantly reducing wind uplift forces.
8. Are hurricane clips suitable for all roof types?
Yes, they can be installed in most wood-framed homes, though installation methods vary depending on the roof design.
9. How can I tell if my home already has hurricane clips?
A roof inspection or wind mitigation inspection can determine whether your clips are present and properly fastened.
10. Do hurricane clips qualify for insurance discounts?
Yes. Homes with verified hurricane clips or equivalent roof-to-wall connections typically receive insurance premium reductions.
Roof Retrofit – Hurricane Straps
11. What are hurricane straps?
Hurricane straps are continuous metal ties that wrap over or around trusses and attach securely to the walls, providing maximum roof holding strength.
12. How do hurricane straps differ from clips?
Clips connect one side of the truss to the wall, while straps wrap completely around, creating a stronger and more secure connection.
13. Can hurricane straps be added to existing homes?
Yes. Professional retrofitting can add straps to older homes to bring them up to modern wind mitigation standards.
14. Are hurricane straps more effective than clips?
Both provide strong wind resistance, but straps generally offer superior protection due to their continuous tie design.
15. How long do hurricane straps last?
Made from galvanized or stainless steel, hurricane straps are designed to last the lifetime of your roof when properly installed.
Roof-to-Wall Retrofit
16. What is a roof-to-wall retrofit?
It’s the process of strengthening the connection between your home’s roof and wall system to prevent separation during hurricanes.
17. Why is roof-to-wall retrofitting important in South Florida?
South Florida is prone to strong hurricanes, and roof-to-wall retrofits greatly reduce the risk of catastrophic roof loss.
18. What materials are used in a roof-to-wall retrofit?
Typically, hurricane clips, straps, fasteners, and sometimes third nails are used to reinforce existing connections.
19. Does roof-to-wall retrofitting require a new roof?
Not always. It can often be done without replacing your roof, especially if access through the attic is available.
20. How can I prove my retrofit for insurance discounts?
After completion, you’ll receive a Wind Mitigation Inspection Report documenting the improvements, which can be submitted to your insurance provider for discounts.