In Florida’s high wind environment, a wind mitigation inspection isn’t just an insurance formality. It’s the roadmap to unlocking insurance premium discounts. Question 6 on the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) focuses on Secondary Water Resistance (SWR) also known as a sealed roof deck. This feature acts as a critical backup layer, shielding your home’s interior from water intrusion if the primary roof covering (such as shingles or tiles) is compromised during a storm.
Unlike standard underlayments, an SWR is engineered to seal the roof deck, turning what could be a catastrophic leak into an avoided disaster. For homeowners, qualifying for this credit can lead to meaningful reductions in premiums and greater peace of mind. Let’s unpack what makes SWR a game changer.
The History of Secondary Water Resistance Standards in Florida: Lessons from the Storms
Florida’s building codes have often evolved in response to nature’s fury, and the adoption of the SWR was no different. Stricter requirements emerged as a direct response to the vulnerabilities exposed by the 2004 hurricane season (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) which battered the state with relentless wind and rain, causing widespread roof failures and interior flooding. These storms revealed that even when roofs held structurally, water sneaked through damaged coverings and seams in the decking, leading to mold, structural rot, and massive repair costs.
Damage surveys after those storms showed that a continuous, adhered waterproof layer applied directly to the roof deck could stop nearly all of that intrusion. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) put this idea through rigorous full-scale testing in their research lab, blasting replica homes with hurricane-force wind and rain. The results were unmistakable: a properly sealed roof deck kept interiors dry even when large sections of the outer roof covering were stripped away.
Those findings, combined with real world loss data, convinced code officials and insurers that a true secondary water barrier had to become part of Florida’s roofing options. Over the next several code cycles, the Florida Building Code added explicit provisions for what is now called Secondary Water Resistance (SWR) or “sealed roof deck.” These rules spell out acceptable materials self-adhered modified bitumen sheets, closed cell spray foam or taped seams, and require the barrier to cover the entire deck, not just valleys or perimeters. The evolution continues; each new edition of the code refines the options while keeping the core principle intact: give the house a second, rain-tight skin it can fall back on when the primary roof covering takes a beating. Today, SWR hasn’t just made it into code, it’s a proven retrofit strategy promoted through programs like My Safe Florida Home.
What is Question 6? Breaking Down the Question Itself
Question 6 on the OIR-B1-1802 form reads: “Secondary Water Resistance (SWR): (standard underlayments or hot-mopped felts do not qualify as an SWR).”
It then lists options for verification:
- A. SWR (also called Sealed Roof Deck)
Self-adhering polymer modified-bitumen roofing underlayment applied directly to the sheathing or foam adhesive SWR barrier (not foamed-on insulation) applied as a supplemental means to protect the dwelling from water intrusion in the event of roof covering loss. - B. No SWR
- C. Unknown or undetermined
At its core, this question verifies if a qualifying secondary barrier was installed over the full roof deck during original construction or during a reroof. Much like Questions 3-4, which rely on visual attic checks, assessing the gaps between decking or at roof penetrations to determine the underlayment.
A “Yes” (Option A) unlocks credits, but only if the SWR covers the entire deck. Partial applications do not qualify.
How to Answer Question 6: Evaluation and Documentation
Answering Question 6 may require piecing together permit details or other material evidence, as direct attic access may not always reveal the underlayment used (it’s difficult to see sandwiched between the decking and roof covering).
Key evaluation steps:
- Permit Review: Confirm the reroof date and scope. If an SWR was used the product details may be listed in the permit.
- Material Verification: Inspect multiple areas inside of the attic between the spacing of the decking or around penetrations. The entire roof deck must have an SWR to qualify.
- Potential Documentation: Attach photos showing the permit if the use of an SWR is listed on the permit, a roofing contract stating the use of an SWR, or most commonly photos of the underlayment in the field.
If evidence of the SWR exists you mark (A). If there is confirmed felt or synthetic felt underlayment you mark (B). If you’re unable to confirm through documentation and field evaluations you mark (C) for unknown or undetermined.
The Science Behind the Savings: ARA Studies and Loss Reductions
SWR’s value shines in the data: IBHS testing shows a sealed roof deck can reduce water intrusion by up to 95% even if the primary covering is fully lost, preventing attic saturation that leads to ceiling collapses, insulation failure, and mold proliferation. This isn’t theoretical it’s from full scale wind driven rain simulations mimicking Category 3+ storms.
The Applied Research Associates (ARA) 2024 Residential Wind-Loss Mitigation Study, using the Hurricane Loss Relativities (HURLOSS) model on claims from recent hurricanes, quantifies SWR’s role in the mitigation matrix. Homes with sealed decks see compounded loss reductions when paired with strong attachments (Questions 3-4) and hip roofs (Question 5). OIR-commissioned ARA reports consistently link SWR to lower overall claims, informing discount schedules that reward this “quiet hero” of storm protection. In essence, it’s affordable engineering that turns potential floods into drips.
Common Field Scenarios and Nuances: What Affects Question 6
Inspectors often encounter gray areas when evaluating SWR installations:
- Full Roof SWR: A self-adhered or foam-applied SWR covering the full deck qualifies for full credit (Option A).
- Partial or Valley-Only Coverage: Ice and water shields or membranes installed only along eaves or valleys do notqualify.
- Limited Access: Spray foam insulation, low-sloped roofs, or tightly spaced decking can hide underlayments, resulting in an Unknown (C) unless documentation confirms the product used.
Retrofit Realities: Adding an SWR typically requires removing the existing roof covering. Because of this, it’s most practical to install during a reroof project.
What It All Means for Homeowners: Savings, Safety, and Next Steps
For Florida homeowners, a qualifying SWR isn’t just a checkmark, it’s premium relief. Insurers use Question 6 to adjust rates, often delivering noticeable drops on windstorm deductibles and overall policies, especially in coastal zones. Beyond dollars, it safeguards against the hidden costs of water damage: ruined heirlooms, health risks from mold, and weeks of displacement.
Safety-wise, SWR extends your home’s “survive the storm” window, aligning with FORTIFIED Roof standards from IBHS for elite resilience. If your inspection shows “None,” consider a grant-funded retrofit through My Safe Florida Home—up to $10,000 for qualifying upgrades, including SWR during reroofs.
Next steps? Schedule a wind mitigation inspection to baseline your home, then consult your agent for a requote. Resources like the Florida Building Commission site or FRSA manuals can guide DIY research, but pros handle the paperwork.
Plain-Language Takeaway
Think of SWR as your roof’s rainy day fund: An invisible seal that keeps storms from turning your attic into a swimming pool. If your reroof was installed with the right underlayment (SWR), you’re likely golden for credits. No records? A targeted upgrade during your next reroof can pay off fast in savings and security. Florida’s weather won’t wait.
