Winter Snows Bring Ice Dams
Many a calendar or postcard displays a “winter wonderland” picture of a snow-covered roof. But there’s a potential downside to all that beautiful, thick snow in Illinois and Wisconsin: ice dams.
An ice dam typically forms when snow melts on warmer areas of your roof, and the water flows down to much colder eaves, where it refreezes. The process of melting and refreezing causes ice to back up under the shingles, damaging them. In the worst case, that damage causes roof leaks, allowing water to seriously damage your home’s interior.
While your homeowners insurance policy may cover damage from ice dams, it is far better to eliminate or minimize the chance of ice dams forming in the first place. They primarily result from an attic or roof that is too warm.
To maintain an evenly cold roof:
· Ensure your attic insulation is adequate
· Seal your attic insulation to prevent warm air from escaping from your living space into the attic and warming the roof
· Insulate, caulk or otherwise seal even the smallest openings in your chimney, plumbing vents, light fixtures, wiring and exhaust fans that may allow house heat to flow into the attic
· If you can do so safely, consider the use of snow rakes to minimize the amount of snow buildup following a storm
· Keep your gutters clear to allow maximum drainage
Contact Us!
Illinois and Wisconsin residents, at R Hobbs Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (847) 680-0888 or send us a note at chris@rhobbsinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!
Content Source: Kemper