REGINA - With the warm-up in temperatures over the last week, households in Sask. are being encouraged to remove snow off their roofs to prevent ice damming.
Ice damming occurs when heavy snow builds up on the roof and melts during the day before freezing overnight.
The buildup "of ice on the edge of eaves and other roofs can cause water getting in underneath shingles and into homes," said Jeremy Pilon, SGI media consultant.
Pilon noted there can also be seepage from water melting on the ground beside one's house, which can get into a home’s basement or the areas underneath the house.
If left unattended, ice damming can cause damage to shingles and water soaking the insulation of the attic and drywall. Damaged drywall could lead to issues with lighting in the ceilings or TV's that are up against the wall.
As for seeping, a person "can see damage start happening to your foundation itself if it gets into cracks and any openings of the foundation."
Constant freezing can lead to a break in a home's foundation, causing drywall and materials in the basement to start getting wet and damaged.
All these damages could "get into [the range of] tens of thousands of dollars, especially if it's something you don't notice right away," Pilon emphasized.
It’s worth noting, which includes their standard coverage, broad coverage, and comprehensive coverage, SGI covers "damage caused by ice damming."
Even with the coverage, Pilon noted, "you'd still be liable for your deductible and everything like that."
However, for damages caused by seepage, most insurance companies, including SGI, don’t cover the cost because "It's considered something that you should be able to prevent through proper maintenance of your home," he noted.
Taking measures
Pilon gave a demonstration of how a homeowner can clean off a roof with a makeshift house.
With the roof rake, Pilon noted to be careful of avoiding damaging the vents when clearing off the snow.
The blanket on the roof acts as the ice damming, so snow melting on the roof will start going under the shingles if a homeowner doesn't clear the snow away.
Pilon stressed not chipping away the ice build-up, as that can damage the shingles underneath. Instead, it’s better to leave it and let the sun melt it away naturally.
In the event a homeowner has certain limitations, Pilon said SGI recommends hiring a professional to do the job.
Once the snow is on the ground, Pilon said, "what you'll wanna do is move that snow away from your foundation. We recommend about two meters or six feet."
He added, "make sure that there's a path to the street and the storm basins in your neighborhood so that water has somewhere to go when it's done melting."
Another thing a homeowner should look out for is cleaning their sewer valve, if they have one.
Rapid melting of snow can lead to sewer backup, which can cause flooding inside a home, leading to floor and wall damage.
To prevent or slow down sewer backup, Pilon recommends cleaning the valve once a year. To clean it, open the top lid of the valve and grab a toilet brush, cleaning it the same way you would with a toilet.
A homeowner can also take measures before the winter comes to prevent ice damming from occurring. In the fall, make "sure that you've cleaned out your eaves troughs because that makes sure that your eaves are ready to take the snow as it comes," Pilon said.
Good insulation in the attic can also prevent heat from melting snow on the roof. Additionally, keeping the vents clear and open on the roof can keep the attic cold so the snow melts more slowly.
