SGI CANADA is reminding homeowners to protect their homes against damage caused by ice dams.
"Ice dams can cause considerable property damage. If an ice dam forms and water enters the attic, it can damage the roof, ceilings, walls and contents of your home," said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI CANADA. "That's why it's so important to take steps to prevent an ice dam from forming in the first place."
Preventative measures to protect your home from damage caused by ice dams include:
Keep the amount of snow on your roof to a minimum. Use a roof rake or hire a professional to clear the snow away - for safety reasons, don't go up on the roof yourself.
Keep gutters and downspouts free of snow, ice buildup and icicles so there's a ready path for melting snow and ice to drain.
Ensure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated to prevent heat from inside your home from leaking into the attic and causing snow on the roof to melt. A roofing contractor can provide assistance if needed.
In the fall, clean leaves and debris from your home's gutters and downspouts to allow melting snow to flow as intended.
"It's very important to ensure ice dam coverage is in place before a loss occurs, since coverage is not automatically included with all home insurance policies," said Cartmell. "Talk to your insurance broker to make sure you have the coverage you need."
If you have an ice dam causing damage to your home, contact your insurance broker as soon as possible to file a claim. Your broker will notify your insurer. If you insure with SGI CANADA, one of our adjusters will contact you to make an appointment to come out and assess the damage.
To help you clear that snow off your roof, SGI CANADA is holding a contest. Share your ice dam prevention tips on SGI's Facebook page or tweet them to @SGItweets with the hashtag #damice to be entered in a draw for a roof rake.
Last year in Saskatchewan, more than 2,600 ice dam claims were reported to SGI CANADA, costing $21.7 million. In 2012, there were 28 claims.
For additional information about ice dam prevention, visit SGI CANADA's website at www.sgicanada.ca.
