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PT 1
If you live in a climate that includes cold winters,
you know the season creates special challenges for homeowners.
In this article, we discuss an icy situation.
Ice Dams
An ice dam is a formation of ice along a roof's edge.
The dam of ice blocks additional water and the pooling
water backs up and finds pathways into a home's interior.
This water may cause deterioration and decay to interior
wood and plaster. Once an ice dam has forced water to
find ways to escape inside a home, the roof becomes
more susceptible to future ice dams and water damage.
Too much heat warming the roof most frequently causes
ice dams. The process occurs unevenly with the warmer
area at the higher part of the roof melting the snow
and then the cooler, lower area, particularly the roof
edge, permitting the water to refreeze and then accumulate.
Poor insulation or improper ventilation usually causes
the heated roof. Inadequate insulation lets too much
heat escape into the attic and this creates a warmer
roof. Improper ventilation creates moisture and heat
buildup due to the lack of air movement.
How to detect a problem
Compare the way the snow is melting from the living
area of your home with how snow appears on the roof
over an unheated area such as a garage or shed. How
does your snow covered roof compare with your neighbors'
homes? Check for icicles. They can be pretty, but heavy
icicle buildup means that interior heat is melting a
lot of snow and may contribute to ice dams.
How to prevent ice dams
There are a number of ways to help prevent ice dams:
* Clear excess snow from the roof. However, in order
to minimize damage to the roof and roofing, hire a professional
to remove the snow.
* Add rubberized or special roofing adhesives to help
prevent pooled water on the roof from finding entry
into the home's interior.
* Inspect the attic and roof for cracks, holes, or joints
that permit warm air to escape to the roof, and seal
or repair these areas.
* Add the recommended amount of insulation to the attic
and exterior walls of your home to minimize escaping
heat (this also reduces your heating costs).
* Reduce your home's thermostat and throw on warmer
clothing during extended cold spells.
* Clear your gutters and downspouts so that water is
properly shed off your roof.
As always, an insurance professional is a valuable source
of safety and insurance information. Don't hesitate
to contact an agent to discuss your questions. If you
haven't had the chance, please be sure to read parts
2 and 3 of "Is Your Home Winter Ready" which
discusses other winter concerns.
PT 2
In this part we discuss an important legal responsibility
created by the winter season.
Creating A Clear Liability
Snow doesn't show favoritism. Instead of conveniently
falling onto unused areas, it covers homes, sidewalks
and driveways. As a responsible homeowner you need to
arrange to make the travel ways on your property safe.
This calls for clearing your walkways of snow and ice.
It is also important to clear your property of items
such as rakes, shovels, tools, toys and similar items.
Remember that it takes only a small amount of snow to
hide items that, during clear conditions, are easily
seen and avoided. So take time to move such property
and make repairs to uneven or cracked pavement.
Keep in mind that clearing walkways (including stairs)
is an invitation for pedestrians to use the path. So,
once you clear an area, it has to be kept clear and
safe, especially from ice. Also, avoid creating piles
of snow that can block either a driver's or a pedestrian's
view. Finally, be sure that your property is safe for
children who are enjoying winter. Don't allow children
to slide around without being aware of pedestrians or
motorized traffic and don't let anyone throw snow or
iceballs at cars (you could be sued for any accident
caused by careless play).
Don't forget the inside of your home. Visitors should
be kept safe from harm by making sure you keep inside
stairs and floors clear of the watery remains of melted
snow. Keep things dry and consider providing mats that
provide good traction and an area where folks can clear
snow and ice from their shoes or boots.
As always, an insurance professional is a valuable source
of safety and insurance information. Don't hesitate
to contact an agent to discuss your questions. If you
haven't had the chance, please be sure to read parts
1 and 3 of "Is Your Home Winter Ready" which
discusses other winter concerns.
PT 3
In this part we discuss a different hazard of the
winter season.
Firing Up A Hearty Loss
Do you own a fireplace, wood-burning stove or portable
heater? What about a gas or an electric furnace? If
so, you need to take steps to make sure that they are
safe and used properly.
Have your furnace inspected to make sure that it will
operate properly in cold weather. Clean filters and
vents will go a long way to keep your furnace a source
or warmth rather than a cause of a fire loss. An inspection
should also make certain that your furnace is not a
source for dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves should also be inspected
and, if necessary, thoroughly cleaned. A byproduct of
burning wood, creosote, builds up in chimney and stove
flues very quickly. Even a single wood-burning season
could produce enough buildup to create a fire or severe
smoke hazard. Don't do the inspection yourself. It's
worth the cost to have a professional inspect and clean
your fireplace or stove. Also, make sure that you don't
burn softwood or paper. Using anything other than hard
woods exposes your fireplace or stove to quicker creosote
buildup (softwood) or more intense heat (paper) which
could clog or contribute to cracking a flue or liner.
Be very careful with the use of portable heaters. Depending
upon the type, they can be prone to malfunction or could
be a hazardous source of burns, especially for children.
Further, many types can be easily tipped with the combination
of heat source and fuels, creating a serious fire hazard.
Finally, make sure you have fire/smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors properly installed and in good working order.
Test them and put in new batteries. Small expense, big
payoff.
As always, insurance professional is a valuable source
of safety and insurance information. Don't hesitate
to contact an agent to discuss your questions. If you
haven't had the chance, please be sure to read parts
1and 2 of "Is Your Home Winter Ready" which
discusses other winter concerns.
Revised 09/03
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus,
Inc. 2003
All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether
in whole or in part, in any form of media or language,
and no matter what country, state, or territory, is
expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance
Publishing Plus, Inc.
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