Act now to prevent costly ice damage later

Ice dams may not be something the average homeowner has ever
heard of,  but they occur all too frequently during the winter months,
resulting in costly damage. Left unaddressed, water seepage from ice
dams can ruin ceilings, walls, attics and roofing.
Ice dams usually form when heat from inside a home causes snow on the
roof to melt and trickle to the roof’s edge, where it refreezes on cold
eaves, blocking gutters and drains. Since water cannot flow over the
built-up ice, it backs up behind the ice, creating pools, and seeps into
the home under the shingles.
“A typical U.S. winter will generate more than $500 million in property
damage from ice dams,” says Mike Convery, chief claim officer for
MetLife Auto & Home. “By taking a few proactive measures in the
fall, homeowners can often prevent ice dams and save themselves a lot of
time, money and frustration.”
Steps to take in the fall:
* Keep all gutters and downspouts clear. Make certain that leaves,
sticks and debris are removed completely from your home’s gutters and
downspouts.
* Keep your attic chilly. The most effective way to eliminate ice dams
is to stop snowmelt by making the roof colder. This can be achieved by
insulating the floor of the attic and under the roof, and by blocking
all crevices (known as bypasses) where warm air from the interior can
rise into the attic.
* Identify water entry points within the home. You may wish to contact a
contractor to locate these entry points and take the appropriate actions
to create a waterproof barrier.
* Protect your roof with some extra help. If you’re still getting ice
dams after insulating and ventilating, consider installing extra
protection along your eaves. An ice belt, a solid, metal flashing,
allows snow to easily slide off it while providing a barrier for melted
snow. Electrical heat tracing can help if an ice dam starts forming,
melting it away with one flip of a switch.
Steps to take in the winter:
* Keep a lookout for giant icicles. One of the first warning signs of
possible ice dams – and definitely poor insulation and ventilation – are
giant icicles hanging from the eaves.
* If possible, keep snow off the roof with a roof rake. Use a roof rake
or push broom to reduce the amount of snow that could melt. Do not climb
on the roof to clear the snow as serious injury may result. Also, be
cautious of electrical wires.
* To melt the ice, bring new life to an old set of legs. Placing old
nylon stockings filled with ice melt – containing magnesium chloride,
potassium chloride, and/or calcium chloride – on an ice dam is an
effective way to melt the dam and create a channel for the water to run
off. Be certain to lay the stockings perpendicular to the gutter near
the edge of the roof.
In an emergency situation, where water is seeping into the house, the
best advice is to notify a professional contractor.
For a free brochure, “Protecting Your Home Against Damage From Freezing
Weather,” call (800) 638- 5433 (800-MET-LIFE).
Courtesy of ARAcontent

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