With winter right around the corner, now is the time to prepare your home for snow and ice. Amica Insurance is sharing some tips to help prevent ice dams and the expensive damage they can cause.
Ice dams form as ice builds up along your roof, and they prevent water from melted snow and ice from draining off the roof, said Mike Gillerlane, a senior assistant vice president with Amica Insurance. Water can then leak into your house and cause costly damage.
“Now is the time homeowners can take some preventative measures that will save them time, money and stress in the months to come,” Gillerlane said.
Winter weather presents several threats to a home, said Julie Rochman, president and CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. “Where ice dams form, roof damage and water penetration into the attic are likely.”
The resulting damage can be costly, so Amica and the IBHS offer these tips to help prevent ice dams from forming:
- Clean debris from gutters and drains to allow for proper drainage.
- Make sure the ceiling is airtight, so warm, moist air doesn’t flow into the attic space.
- Increase ceiling and roof insulation to minimize the amount of heat that rises into the attic.
- Use weather-stripping around entryways to the attic, and seal around attic ducts, light fixtures, chimneys and fans to prevent heat from melting snow.
If you are building a new home or re-roofing, the IBHS recommends installing watertight membranes under the roof covering to help prevent water from leaking through.
“Taking a few simple steps this fall to protect your roof can help prevent serious ice damage and expensive repairs,” Gillerlane said.
For more information on ice dams and other freeze damage, visit the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety’s website, DisasterSafety.org.
About Amica Mutual Insurance Company
Amica Mutual Insurance Company, the nation’s oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907. The company, with corporate headquarters in Lincoln, RI, is a national writer of automobile, homeowners, marine and personal umbrella liability insurance. Life coverage is available through Amica Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. Amica employs more than 3,100 people in 40 offices across the country.
CONTACT: Vince Burks, Corporate Communications, 50 Amica Way, Lincoln, RI 02865-1155, 800-652-6422, ext. 24563
Twitter: Amica[twitter.com]
Facebook: Amica Mutual Insurance Co.[facebook.com]
