Ice dam claims in Saskatchewan show major increase in 2013, homeowners encouraged to take preventive measures

Homeowners are reminded to take steps to avoid ice dams, notes SGI Canada, which reports there were 2,600 ice dam claims reported to the insurer in 2013, dwarfing the 28 claims in 2012.

The 2,600 ice dam claims last year in Saskatchewan cost $21.7 million, notes a press release Thursday from SGI Canada.

Preventive maintenance is key, the insurer reports. “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,” Andrew Cartmell, president and CEO of SGI CANADA, says in the statement.

“That’s why it’s so important to take steps to prevent an ice dam from forming in the first place,” Cartmell continues.

Preventative measures include the following:

• Keep the amount of snow on the home’s roof to a minimum. Use a roof rake or hire a professional to clear the snow away. For safety reasons, do not go up on the roof yourself.
• Keep gutters and downspouts free of snow, ice build-up and icicles so that there is a ready path for melting snow and ice to drain.
• Ensure the attic is properly insulated and ventilated to prevent heat from inside the 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 the 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,” Cartmell says. “Talk to your insurance broker to make sure you have the coverage you need.”

SGI CANADA is also holding a contest to win a roof rake and has asked people to provide prevention tips on SGI’s Facebook page or tweet them to @SGItweets with the hashtag #damice to be entered into a draw.

Tips to protect your homes from ice dams: http://t.co/TvsVU88JYN If you have tips, share them using #damice to win a roof rake!

— SGI (@SGItweets) January 23, 2014