Winter is a beautiful season of the year. If you live in an area with a winter climate, you know how exciting the first snowfall of the season can be. But while a blanket of white snow dramatically changes the landscape, winter weather can also bring some unpleasant surprises, such as ice dams. Ice dams are common in certain areas and are basically ice deposits on the roofs of houses. This ice can accumulate up to several inches thick, and when it melts downhill it can cause water damage to your home.

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You may not be familiar with ice dams and the damage they leave behind, but these types of ice problems are among the most common causes of roof leaks during the winter months. Dealing with the effects of ice dams can be time consuming and expensive, so it may be beneficial to take precautions to avoid this type of problem. Here are some tips to help you deal with ice dam problems with peace of mind. But even with the best precautions, there may be no way to prevent water damage to your home, leaving homeowners wondering whether their homeowner's insurance covers ice dam damage.

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What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms on the roof of a house in winter. These ice dams usually form near roof eaves. When water freezes in these areas, it can damage your roof as it accumulates and pushes under the shingles of your home. may cause damage to the inside or outside of the device.

Ice dams can form even if the house is not built with a sloping roof, as water is less likely to drain properly in older houses without new metal roofs or insulation on the roof. , making them more susceptible to ice dams.

If this problem is not addressed as soon as it is discovered, it will only get worse over time. Because it will cause serious damage to your property in a short period of time.

The cause of the ice dam ?

Ice dams are most common in areas that experience particularly cold winters. These dams usually form when snow accumulates and begins to melt. Normally, when the roof heats up, the snow melts and freezes again near the edges, causing a blockage. As the water refreezes, it forms a solid ice dam, adding more snow to the roof. Real problems can occur when this cycle repeats itself.

Homeowners insurance covers ice dam damage When is it?

When ice and snow melts, it creates pockets of water that pool and collect on the edges of the roof. Ultimately, this can lead to ceiling leaks. Precautions are important to reduce the risk of ice dams forming on your roof. Removing ice dams as soon as it is safe to do so is also important to prevent extensive damage to roofs from ice dams and water damage to walls from leaks in your home.

If your roof sustains damage from an ice dam, your standard homeowners insurance may help cover repair costs. It also covers repairs for structural damage to your home, such as warped walls due to water leaks.

When does homeowners insurance exclude ice dam damage?

Although damage to a home is usually covered by standard homeowners insurance, exclusions may apply in some cases. will be For example, HO-3 policy is unlikely to cover precautions such as paying someone to proactively clear debris from gutters before winter weather arrives. Also, removal of ice dams as part of scheduled maintenance is not covered.

Depending on the type of insurance, damage caused by ice dams caused by melting ice to personal belongings may also not be covered. Standard HO-3 insurance may exclude coverage, but the HO-5 policy form may cover ice dam damage caused by your belongings. Free-standing structures such as in-ground pools are typically not covered if the pool freezes and cracks due to cold weather.

What other types of ice damage are covered by home insurance?

While ice damage is not commonly covered by standard home insurance, There are other types of ice damage that may be covered by insurance. For example, if hail damages your home, your homeowner's insurance policy may help cover these repair costs. Hail storms are considered a “hazard” included in most standard homeowners insurance policies.

Similarly, the weight of snow, sleet, or ice that damages your home may also be covered. For example, if a heavy snowfall causes your roof to crack or leak, you may be able to make a claim with your insurance company. Similarly, if a pipe bursts in the winter and floods your home, your home insurance may be able to cover the repair costs.

Ice dam occurrence How do you prevent ice dams from forming?

To prevent ice dams from forming Consider taking the following proactive measures before winter weather arrives.

• Clean up the debris in the gutters before it rains or snows.
• Seal gaps around windows and doors where warm air escapes, or install energy-efficient insulation where heat is lost from your home. Preventing heat from escaping from your home helps prevent ice dams from forming due to the constant freezing and melting of water on your roof.
• Place heat cables in vulnerable areas of the roof. Thermal cables are usually placed in the corners and edges of eaves.

Conclusion

While winter weather often brings snowy days and beautiful scenery, it can also bring roof and water damage risks to your home. . Ice dams can damage roofs and interior walls, among other things. Many standard homeowners policies will cover this type of damage to your home, subject to a deductible, but other exclusions may apply. Before the winter or rainy season starts, talk to your homeowner's insurance company or insurance agent to find out what you'll be covered if the worst happens.