Wind mitigation inspections are a vital tool for Florida homeowners, helping secure insurance premium discounts by documenting features that strengthen a home’s resistance to hurricane force winds. Question 4 of the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) focuses on the roof to wall attachment the crucial connection that keeps your roof from lifting off during a storm. This question evaluates how your trusses or rafters are secured to the top of the exterior walls, directly impacting your home’s structural integrity and eligibility for significant insurance credits.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore the history of roof to wall standards, what Question 4 asks, how inspectors assess it, the science behind its importance, common scenarios, and what it means for you as a homeowner.
The History of Roof to Wall Attachment Standards in Florida: Lessons from the Storms
Florida’s roof to wall attachment requirements were forged in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew (1992), when thousands of homes lost their roofs not because the deck or shingles failed first, but because the trusses lifted clean off the walls due to weak or missing metal connectors. Toe nails (just a few nails driven at an angle) were no match for 170+ mph winds. This catastrophe, costing over $25 billion, exposed a deadly flaw in pre 1994 construction and triggered an immediate overhaul.
In the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Miami-Dade and Broward Counties the South Florida Building Code (SFBC-94), effective September 1, 1994, mandated hurricane straps or clips on every truss or rafter, dramatically increasing uplift resistance. Statewide, the Florida Building Code (FBC 2001), effective March 1, 2002, followed suit, requiring metal connectors rated for specific wind loads.
The 2007 Florida Building Code strengthened requirements for roof to wall connections and gable end framing after Hurricanes Charley, Ivan, and Jeanne revealed weaknesses in older clip designs and construction practices. While single and double wrap straps were already in use, the updated code emphasized higher uplift resistance and better installation standards.
Post storm evaluations following Hurricanes Irma (2017) and Michael (2018) informed the 2020 FBC updates, reinforcing requirements for continuous load paths, uplift resistance, and retrofit measures during reroofing. Studies by Applied Research Associates (ARA) have shown that modern roof to wall connections perform significantly better than older toe nailed systems in reducing roof damage.
What Is Question 4? Understanding Roof to Wall Attachments
Question 4 on the Florida Wind Mitigation Form asks:
“Roof to Wall Attachment: [Describe the type of connection between the roof structure and wall.]”
In simple terms, this question identifies how your roof is fastened to your walls. This key factor determines how well your home can resist uplift during high winds. The form classifies the weakest connection found in the home into one of several categories, with stronger connections earning greater insurance discounts.
A – Toe Nails (Weakest connection)
- The truss or rafter is simply nailed to the wall at an angle using nails
- Includes any metal connectors that fail to meet the minimum conditions for Levels B, C, or D.
Minimum Requirements for Roof-to-Wall Credits (B, C, and D):
To qualify for any credit beyond toe nails, the metal connectors must securely attach the wall to the truss/rafter using the required number of nails. Clips must have at least three nails, single wraps as well but with a specific nailing pattern, and double wraps must be secured on both sides with three or more nails each. The connector must be tight to the truss or rafter with no more than a ½-inch gap, or the gap must be blocked with no more than 1½ inches of material. All connections must also be free of visible severe corrosion. If any connection doesn’t meet these requirements, it will be rated at the Toe nail level.
B – Clips
- Metal clips secure one side of the truss or rafter to the wall with at least 3 nails
- Includes any strap that does not meet the nailing position requirements of levels C, or D.
C – Single Wraps
- A metal strap wraps over one side of the truss or rafter and is secured with 2 nails on the wall side and 1 nail on the wrap side
D – Double Wraps
- Two separate straps on either side of the truss/rafter with same nailing requirements as a single wrap.
- A metal strap wraps over both sides of the truss or rafter, Commonly known as a Sanibel Strap.
E – Structural
- Heavy-duty threaded rods or bolts embedded in concrete
- A solid, monolithic concrete roof structure. Extremely strong, but rare in residential homes..
F – Other
- While uncommon, other methods exist which aren’t classified into the categories above. They would go here.
G – Unknown or unidentified
- Used when the connection type can’t be verified. For example, if the attic is sealed with spray foam or it’s a low slope with limited access to view the connections.
H – No attic access
- Simply put, there is no entry at all into the attic.
Important
The rating is based on the weakest connection found. Even one truss improperly secured can drop the entire roof’s rating to Level A.
Documentation Needed for Question 4
Inspectors access the attic to visually confirm a representative number of roof to wall connections. We look for:
- Type of connector (clip, single wrap, double wrap)
- Number of nails and nailing pattern
- Proper spacing and fit (no more than a ½” gap, or blocked no more than 1½”)
- Visual condition (free of severe corrosion)
- Consistency (a representative number of trusses must have the same or better connection)
Close up photos are taken at multiple connection points, focusing on the weakest areas. If insulation blocks visibility, we attempt to move it for a clear view. If that cannot be done, or the roof is spray foamed, the rating defaults to Unknown or Unidentified unless documentation such as original plans or retrofit receipts proves stronger connections. Photos are labeled and attached to the Wind Mitigation Form (OIR-B1-1802).
The Science Behind the Savings: ARA Studies and Loss Reductions
The 2024 ARA Loss Mitigation Study, commissioned by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, used the HURLOSS model to simulate thousands of hurricane scenarios. The study found that homes with clips or better (Levels B–E) experience fewer total roof losses than homes with toe nailed connections (Level A).
A secure roof to wall connection can greatly improve a home’s resistance to wind uplift. Research reviewed by FEMA, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, and Applied Research Associates (ARA) confirms that homes built or retrofitted to current Florida Building Code standards experience far less roof damage during major wind events. Because of this, insurers often provide credits or discounts on the wind portion of your premium when your home meets the higher connection standards outlined in Question 4 of the Wind Mitigation Form.
Common Field Scenarios and Nuances: What Affects Question 4
Real world homes aren’t perfect. Here’s what inspectors see most often:
- Mixed Systems: An older section of a home is toe nailed, while a newer addition has clips or straps. The weakest link rules, and the rating would be Level A.
- Retrofit Upgrades: Adding nails or new connectors can improve the rating to Level B, C, or D, but only if the product is designed for roof to wall use and installed per manufacturer specifications.
- Spray Foam Attics: Foam conceals connections, defaulting to “Unknown” unless other proof (retrofit photos, blueprints) exists.
- Missing or Bent Clips: Even one missing or improperly bent connector disqualifies the system. Components not used as intended do not qualify.
What It All Means for Homeowners: Savings, Safety, and Next Steps
A strong rating on Question 4 (Level B, C, or D) is one of the biggest money savers on your wind mitigation form often worth hundreds to over a thousand dollars annually. More importantly, it reduces the chance of catastrophic roof loss, keeping your family safe and your home intact when the next storm hits.
Programs like My Safe Florida Home offer grants of up to $10,000 for roof to wall retrofits, which can often cover all or most upgrade costs.
Plain Language Takeaway
If your trusses or rafters in the attic are held down with metal clips or straps, there’s a good chance you’ll score a Level B, C, or D on Question 4. That means big savings and a roof that’s much more likely to stay put in a hurricane.
For more resources, visit the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s wind mitigation page or contact us to schedule your inspection today.
