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PODCAST

The FORTIFIED Factor

Knockout Inspections

An AI assisted podcast discussing all things resilient, reliable and severe-weather ready as it pertains to one of of your most important investments: YOUR HOME! This is a work product of Knockout Inspections. Our company has a team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators ready to answer any and all of your questions. Give us a call at 855-GO-FOR-KO, or visit fortifiedhome.com.

education home & garden

All Episodes

18:01

Leaf Guards & Gutters

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2026/01/23

Leaf Gutters and Guards: What Homeowners Need to Know for a FORTIFIED RoofGutters and leaf guards may seem like simple add-ons, but when it comes to building a FORTIFIED Roof™, they can make or break your home’s ability to withstand high winds and severe weather. In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down how gutters and leaf guards interact with critical roof edge details—and why improper installation can jeopardize a FORTIFIED

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15:41

Excessive Gaps in Wood Decking

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2026/01/16

What’s happening beneath your shingles matters more than you might think. In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts—powered by the real-world experience of Knockout Inspections—break down excessive gaps in wood roof decking and why gaps greater than 1/8 inch can put your home at risk during high-wind events.Using official FORTIFIED Home™ guidance, we explain:Why “solidly sheathed” roof decks are critical for wind resistanceHow excessive gaps impact asphalt shingle

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15:23

Shingle Hail-Impact Resistance

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2026/01/09

What does it really mean when a shingle is labeled “hail resistant”? In this updated episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts—powered by Knockout Inspections—break down the latest Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) hail impact resistance testing protocol and what it means for homeowners in hail-prone regions.Using best-available science, IBHS now evaluates asphalt shingles with engineered ice spheres that replicate real hailstones—not steel balls—measuring

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15:55

FORTIFIED Requirements for Elevated Roof HVAC Units

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2026/01/02

Roof-mounted HVAC units are common in many regions—but when they’re not properly designed, attached, and evaluated, they can become a serious weak point during high-wind and hurricane events.In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the official FORTIFIED Home™ requirements for elevated roof-mounted HVAC units, as outlined in the latest FORTIFIED Engineering Standards. You’ll learn why these systems pose elevated risks, what

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10:18

Rain Diverters on Asphalt Roofs

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/12/26

Rain diverters may seem like a simple solution for keeping water off walkways—but on asphalt shingle roofs, they can create serious resilience concerns.In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the latest FORTIFIED guidance on rain diverters and explain why they are not recommended on FORTIFIED asphalt shingle roofs. You’ll learn how inserting diverters between shingle courses can break the manufacturer’s seal, increasing

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13:22

Dog Door Technical Bulletin

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/12/20

Dog doors may be convenient for your four-legged family members—but did you know they can impact your home’s FORTIFIED designation?In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the latest IBHS Technical Bulletin (FH 2024-03) addressing dog doors in FORTIFIED Silver and Gold homes. Updated in November 2024, this bulletin clarifies how dog doors affect impact ratings, design pressure requirements, and long-term eligibility for FORTIFIED

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14:26

The ZIP System

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/12/12

In this episode, our AI experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) will discuss the ZIP System developed by Huber Engineering. The ZIP System takes high-grade plywood and tape materials that have been developed to meet the FORTIFIED standards and makes one strong home unit. Questions following the episode? Give Knockout Inspections a call at 855-GO-FOR-KO or visit fortifiedhome.com.

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13:02

FORTIFIED Designation Eligibility Checklist

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/12/05

Can your home be FORTIFIED? In this quick episode of "The FORTIFIED Factor," our AI hosts (informed by Knockout Inspections) will take you through the checklists for eligibility of each designation level - Roof, Silver and Gold.Questions following this episode? Give Knockout Inspections a call at 855-GO-FOR-KO or visit fortifiedhome.com!

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15:07

Updated Standards for Contractors and Roofers

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/11/28

Are you a roofing contractor or builder trying to stay ahead of the new 2025 FORTIFIED® Home Standard? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the stricter requirements that now define what it means to be a truly resilient, storm-ready roofing professional. We cover why IBHS raised the bar for roof performance nationwide, what the November 1, 2025 cutoff means for your projects, and how to adapt your crews, materials, and

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13:42

Insurance Underwriter Viewpoint of FORTIFIED

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/11/21

In this episode, our AI Experts dive into a deep-dive from the perspective of an insurance underwriter, unlocking key insights into how insurance professionals view resilient, severe-weather-ready homes. You’ll learn:What underwriters look for when evaluating a home’s risk profile.Why the right construction standards—especially those built to the FORTIFIED Home™ Standard—matter when it comes to premium pricing and claims.Common pitfalls that drive up insurance cost or disqualify homes from

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12:46

FORTIFIED Home Designations Checklist

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/11/14

In this week’s episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) unpack a clear, practical checklist designed to help you verify whether a home is truly FORTIFIED—or simply marketed that way. Whether you’re buying, selling, or making sure your own home is protected, this step-by-step guide equips you to separate genuine resilience from assumption.Here’s what’s inside this checklist-driven deep dive:The must-have item: an official, valid IBHS certificate—your

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16:01

FORTIFIED Roof Standards: Shingle Ratings and Wind...

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/11/13

Do you really need the most expensive, highest-rated shingle to earn a FORTIFIED Roof™ certification?In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) bust one of the biggest myths in roofing — that Class 4 impact-rated shingles are a requirement for a FORTIFIED Roof. Spoiler: they’re not!You’ll learn:The three pillars every true FORTIFIED Roof™ must have — sealed roof deck, enhanced nailing, and locked-down edges.The real difference between wind

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16:07

Possible Future Materials & Technologies of FORTIFIED

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/10/31

In this forward-looking episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts—powered by Knockout Inspections—explore what’s next for the FORTIFIED home movement. From self-healing concrete and hurricane-resistant composites to AI-driven home monitoring systems, we dive into emerging materials and technologies that could redefine how we build resilience into our homes.Discover how innovation in construction science, climate adaptation, and smart-home technology could soon transform the way homes

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15:53

Annual Maintenance Checklist for a FORTIFIED Home

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/10/24

Keeping your home resilient, reliable, and severe-weather ready starts with proactive care! In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) walk you through the essential annual maintenance checklist every FORTIFIED homeowner should follow.Whether you’re a new homeowner or have lived in your FORTIFIED home for years, this checklist will help you stay storm-strong and inspection-ready all year long.📞 Have questions about maintaining your FORTIFIED

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12:21

Roof Penetration & Ventilation Standards

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/10/17

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts — informed by the team at Knockout Inspections — unpack two of the most important systems working quietly above your head: roof penetrations and ventilation.From the way vents, pipes, and flashing are sealed, to how air moves through your attic, every detail plays a role in how well your roof performs — especially during severe weather. We’ll explain how proper installation and balanced ventilation can prevent leaks, reduce energy

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13:09

Metal Roof Fastening Zones & Patterns

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/10/10

Ever wondered why roof fastening patterns matter so much when it comes to protecting your home from severe weather? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, we’re diving deep into the world of metal roof fastening zones and patterns — a crucial part of achieving a FORTIFIED Roof™ that stands strong against high winds and heavy storms.Our "AI experts" (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down how different fastening zones are designed, why proper installation is key to performance, and

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17:25

FORTIFIED Gold Foundation Anchoring Requirements

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/10/03

In this episode, learn how a Gold FORTIFIED Home is one continuously strong structure — from the roof all the way down to the foundation.For any questions following this episode, contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO or visit fortifiedhome.com.

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8:44

FORTIFIED Procedures to Retrofit Existing Homes (Pt. 2)

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/09/26

We're continuing in our two-part series on retrofitting existing homes to the FORTIFIED Standard. In this 9-minute episode, we're discussing what it takes for a previously built home to earn a Gold FORTIFIED designation status... Spoiler alert: it's a lot of work!For any questions following this episode, reach out to Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO, or visit fortifiedhome.com.

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10:38

FORTIFIED Procedures to Retrofit Existing Homes (Pt. 1)

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/09/19

Can you make an existing home more resilient to severe weather events? The answer is "yes!" In this episode, we discuss the procedures of retrofitting a previously built home with the purpose of receiving a FORTIFIED Roof or Silver designation.For any questions following the episode, please reach out to Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO or visit fortifiedhome.com.

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11:19

FORTIFIED Resilience (Pt. 2) - Load Path Verification...

The FORTIFIED Factor ·

2025/09/12

In Part 2 of our FORTIFIED Resilience series, we dive into how evaluators verify and validate a home’s continuous load path — the crucial process that ensures every connection in the structure is tied together to stand up to high winds. We’ll explain what evaluators look for, why it matters for homeowners, and how this step helps guarantee a stronger, safer home.For any questions following this episode, call Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO or visit fortifiedhome.com.

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58 results

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