HABIG & MAGOON INSURANCE AGENCY SHARES HELPFUL INFORMATION, AND A VALUABLE RESOURCE, FOR TAKING ON THOSE ICE DAMS

(image credit: Stay Comfy, Minnesota!)

February 18, 2015

“If you don’t like New England weather, than just wait a few minutes.”

MARK TWAIN

Mark Twain surely had that right. And that is just one of many reasons that, if you have ice dams, even if you don’t hava any leaks, you should start attacking and dealing with the ice dams on your property right now.

Mother Nature – in her New England form – surely doesn’t care to give warning, and she surely has not signed off on providing gradual temperature change from day to day, so that we can ease into taking on those damn ice dams.

And, yes, it is going to be in the 40s Fahrenheit on Sunday.

When the ice on roofs and in gutters starts melting, and the water gets backed up behind ice dams, that water can flow under shingles – and then down into ceilings and walls, and end up dripping and even spilling inside our homes and businesses.

For almost 80 years, Habig & Magoon Insurance Agency, always family owned and always independent, has served the people and businesses of southern New England, and beyond.

We know ice dams well.

So do two of our valued partners: Bunker Hill Home Insurance and its affiliate and separate company, Plymouth Rock Assurance.

Recently, the two companies sent out a valuable email – signed by Chris Olie, president of Bunker Hill Insurance, and Curt Troutman, vice president of Bunker Hill Insurance – in which was provided helpful and targeted advice in safely and effectively tackling the nasty ice dams.

Here, below, we share an excerpt (in italics) from the email:

There are two basic approaches to dealing with ice dams:

1. Hire a professional. This is the safest way to remove snow and ice from your roof. However, if you wish to tackle the problem yourself, follow these recommendations from roofing experts: 

• Use a roof rake to remove snow buildup on the roof
• Try not to damage your shingles
• Avoid standing under icicles or roofs with large amounts of snow
• Use extreme caution when using ladders because rungs become very slippery with snow and ice on them
• Don’t use a roof rake near electrical wires
• Have someone nearby check on you in case you need assistance or are injured 

2. Create channels in the ice dams. 

• If you notice an ice buildup, use a large sock with a melting agent (preferably calcium chloride) and lay it across the dam perpendicular to the gutter
• The sock will release the melting agent gradually and create a channel in the ice for the water to empty through
• You may need several socks for an ice dam that runs the length of the roof

Does my house have ice dams?

Look for these warning signs:

• Large icicles hanging from the gutters
• Water dripping from the roof overhang
• Leaks, stains or damaged ceilings or walls inside your home

What If water is dripping inside my home?

• Collect the dripping water in buckets and pans
• Mop up standing water
• Move furniture, clothes and valuables out of harm’s way
• Call a professional to deal with the snow on the roof and to dry out your house

By the way, if you are looking for a high quality and highly professional company that can help you clear and prevent ice dams, we enthusiastically recommend 24 Restore, a provider of full-service restoration services that has offices Maine and Massachusetts, and whose coverage area is Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.  The 24 Restore Massachusetts operations, based in Easton, are a Habig & Magoon Insurance Agency client.