Solid Ground is now offering FORTIFIED Roof Inspections
Solid Ground Home Inspections is now officially offering FORTIFIED Roof™ inspections, bringing Charleston‑area homeowners a nationally recognized resilience standard backed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
Stephen Houmard, owner and lead inspector at Solid Ground Home Inspections, is now a Certified FORTIFIED Roof™ Evaluator, trained to verify that a home’s roof meets every requirement of the national FORTIFIED standard. This certification means Stephen can perform the official evaluation, documentation, and verification needed for homeowners to earn a FORTIFIED designation—something only credentialed evaluators are authorized to complete. His certification allows Solid Ground to guide homeowners through the entire process, from identifying upgrade needs to confirming compliance with IBHS standards.
Stephen Houmard
Certified FORTIFIED Roof Evaluator
All About FORTIFIED
Homeowners across the country are turning to FORTIFIED construction standards to strengthen their homes against severe weather. Whether building a new home, replacing a roof, or renovating an existing structure, the FORTIFIED program offers an affordable, science‑backed way to increase resilience. These standards are designed to reduce the risk of storm‑related damage by improving the durability of the building’s most vulnerable components—especially the roof, which is often the first point of failure during hurricanes, high winds, and heavy rain.
Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), FORTIFIED is built on more than 20 years of research, real‑world testing, and post‑storm field observations. IBHS offers tailored standards for both coastal and inland construction, each focused on the specific weather threats a home may face, including hurricanes, hail, straight‑line winds, and low‑level tornadoes. By following these guidelines, homeowners gain a measurable increase in protection and often qualify for insurance incentives that reward resilience.
A FORTIFIED Roof is engineered to perform far beyond a typical roof installation. It incorporates enhanced materials and installation methods—such as sealed roof decking, ring‑shank nails, reinforced roof edges, wind‑rated roof coverings, and upgraded attic vents—to prevent the cascading damage that begins when roof coverings fail. These improvements help keep water out, reduce uplift during storms, and maintain the structural integrity of the home. Together, they create a stronger, more reliable roof system designed to withstand the severe wind, rain, and pressure common in coastal environments like Charleston.
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Stronger roof edges — Wider drip edges and fully adhered starter strips prevent wind from getting under shingles and tearing them away.
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Sealed roof deck — If shingles blow off, a sealed deck can reduce water intrusion by up to 95%, preventing catastrophic interior damage.
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Enhanced attachment — Ring‑shank nails nearly double the uplift resistance of the roof deck compared to standard smooth nails.
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Impact‑rated roof covers — Optional hail supplements ensure shingles or metal panels meet strict impact standards for hail up to 2 inches.
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Wind‑ and rain‑resistant attic vents — Prevent wind‑driven rain from entering through typical vent openings.
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Protection for windows, doors, garage doors, soffits, and attached structures — In hurricane‑prone areas, these upgrades prevent pressure changes that can collapse walls or roofs.
A FORTIFIED Roof inspection provides several major benefits for Charleston and coastal Lowcountry homeowners:
For homeowners, a FORTIFIED Roof inspection can lead to insurance savings, increased home value, greater storm resilience, and peace of mind knowing the roof meets the highest national standard for severe‑weather protection. Solid Ground Home Inspections now provides full FORTIFIED evaluation services—helping Charleston families strengthen their homes before the next storm season.
Watch this quick video to understand the role of a
Certified FORTIFIED Roof Evaluator and the full range of
advantages that FORTIFIED offers to home buyers.
FAQ - Fortified Home Program
What is a FORTIFIED Home?
A Fortified Home is a residential property built or retrofitted to stronger, storm-resistant building standards developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
The Fortified Home program goes beyond standard building codes to reduce damage from severe weather such as hurricanes, high winds, hail, and tornadoes.
How does the FORTIFIED Home Program Work?
The Fortified Home program uses specific construction and re-roofing standards that focus on vulnerable areas of a home — starting with the roof and extending to windows, doors, and structural connections.
A certified Fortified Evaluator documents and verifies that the home meets all applicable standards before a Fortified Home designation is awarded.
What are the different levels of FORTIFIED Home Certification?
FORTIFIED Home Certification levels:
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Fortified Roof – Strengthens the roof system to keep water out and resist wind damage.
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Fortified Silver – Adds protection for openings like windows and doors, and attached structures.
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Fortified Gold – Provides the highest level of protection by connecting the entire structure into a continuous load path.