Snow removal is a necessary element of any winter. Although a magical winter day may involve a fluffy layer of white snow all over everything, this “magical” substance has the potential to cause major damage to your home when a lot of it falls heavily. Below, we will go over some of the dangers involved with the accumulation of snow as well as a few suggestions as to how you can best protect your home from any snow-related damage.
Typically, northern homes have been designed to stand up against even the most severe winters. Ice and snow can accumulate quickly and the related weight may cause roof damage. During wintertime, freezing rain and mild temps are frequent post snowfall. Nonetheless, a deep freeze may follow these other events. Such a destructive cycle leads to ice formation and if this occurs in combination with snowfall, can prevent a roof’s standard surface runoff, allowing water to enter. Visit our website: mckinleysnowremoval.com to get more information.
SNOW DAMAGE
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As heavy snowfall accumulates, snow damage will occur. Injuries may increase if high winds and freezing rain are combined with snow accumulation. Although we cannot control nor perfectly predict weather, we are able to be cautious by observing structural damage indicators due to snowfall. There are a few elements to watch for:
* Any new cracks throughout the inside walls.
* Doors that become blocked or begin to open by themselves.
* Easily audible creaks.
* Ceilings that are warped.
WATER SEEPAGE
In more recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in losses from weather events – especially water damage claims. Check for signs of water seeping through your roof regardless of how much ice or snow there may be. Inspect walls and the ceiling your home’s top floor for:
* Water rings or stains.
* Blistering.
* Droplets of water
ICICLE DAMS
Although icicles hanging from eaves may seem beautiful, they might be problematic. These icicles may be an indicator of a possibly major issue: ice dams. Generally, an ice dam is caused by poor insulation or ventilation in your home’s attic. If your roof has an ice dam, it will not allow snow to properly flow off your roof, meaning water may begin to accumulate and then seep through your home’s ceiling and walls.
Can ice dams be prevented?
Here are a few suggestions for the prevention of ice dam damage:
1) Inspect your roof’s edges frequently to ensure no ice dams have formed.
2) Make sure that your attic has no openings and if it does, seal them as they may allow warm air to exit your home.
3. Check that your attic is cool and properly ventilated. This ensures that the snow on your roof is unlikely to melt and create ice dams.
4. Ensure that the floor of your attic is properly insulated to prevent the loss of heat from your home’s interior through your roof, which can create a layer of ice that could easily turn into an ice dam.
Hiring an expert with the appropriate knowledge of safety procedures and proper equipment is the best plan. Reach out to your insurance representative to obtain a trustworthy referral.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Any time major quantities of ice and snow accumulate on your roof, the added weight combined with yo-yoing temperatures may cause major damage to your roof. Will this be covered by insurance? This question’s answer is easy to find, discuss this with your insurance broker to discover which kinds of coverage you possess. Comparatively speaking, we will take a look at whether a comprehensive/”all risk” policy as well as a home insurance “named perils” policy will take care of roof damage:
Comprehensive/All Risks Policy
If your roof is bowing due to weight from ice and snow, an all-risk policy should take care of any associated costs that result from this. Additional structures, like sheds, are covered as well. With roof damage, water frequently trickles down from the ceiling and for this, an endorsement will need to be purchased or a passenger added to an existing policy to cover this. We recommend an endorsement for “Surface Water Damage” if heavy snowfall tends to affect your home. Your liability insurance should protect you from potential lawsuits (under your homeowner’s policy)and cover you if falling ice or snow from your roof cause injury to another person or causes damage to their property,
PREVENTION OF SNOW DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME
Snow accumulation causes damage that could be avoided through a solid preventative routine:
1. Observe your roof
Keep an eye out for any of the snow damage signs mentioned above in order to evaluate the accumulation on top of your roof. Keep in mind that you are best of removing ice and snow as they accumulate on your shed and your roof. We recommend getting accustomed to this routine from the year’s first snowfall. However, if you are not comfortable with DIYing this, hire a professional! Snow removal performed incorrectly may damage your roof and this damage might not be included in your home insurance coverage.
2. Clean your roof in a safe manner
Be especially careful as you remove ice and snow from your roof. The use of a roof rake with a telescoping handle is one of the simplest manners in which to remove excess snow. This procedure is especially effective for pitched roofs. In terms of flat roofs, you should never attempt to remove the snow alone if your home is taller than a single level. If so, we suggest that you hire a professional to take care of this for you. Other tips include:
* Take special care not to unintentionally damage your roof’s materials and maintain tools far from any neighboring water lines.
* Be sure to exercise caution while shoveling snow off your roof and be careful that two inches of snow remain on your roof to provide protection for your shingles!
3. Hire professionals
If you are worried about potential structural damage, contact a building inspector. Injuries are frequent and dangers are actual in these cases, which means we suggest that you contact an expert with proper safety knowledge and appropriate equipment, particularly in the case of ice removal, which is a more complicated task.
PROTECT EVERY COMPONENT OF YOUR HOME FROM SNOW DAMAGE
Below are a few of helpful tips that can assist in protecting your property from ice and snow damage:
* Balconies, doors, and stairs: Immediately remove ice or snow. Take care to do so thoroughly, particularly if these areas are utilized as emergency exits.
* Temporary carports: Temporary carports are not meant to stand up against excessive ice and snow accumulation, making it crucial to perform frequent ice and snow removal. They are prone to collapse beneath snow’s weight, so when removing snow, attempt to work from the outside instead of from the inside.
* Gas and oil equipment: Ensure there is proper clearance in the area around pipes and tanks. They should also be easy to access and have protection from ice or snow that may fall off the roof.
* Appropriate sealing: Ensure any roof openings, including windows and skylights, are sealed properly in order to prevent melting snow from seeping in.
* Exterior Pipes: Be sure to drain any underground sprinkler lines, pool water lines, and exterior sewer lines for the prevention of burst pipes. If exposed pipes are installed, be sure to use insulating wrap or sleeves.
* Chimney upkeep: Ensure annual inspections of your wood-burning prior to use.
Prevention is essential, in terms of snow damage. Selecting a professional company prior to winter’s arrival is an excellent idea in order to feel safe and secure during major snowfalls. By following these tips, you can snuggle all winter long, peacefully sipping coffee or cocoa. Allow a professional company to handle your home and your roof.