Clear your roof before ice dams cause damage: SGI

Rapidly changing temperatures combined with the large volume of snow seen throughout the winter are creating the right conditions for ice dams to form on roofs.

According to SGI, it’s important for homeowners to get out the roof rakes and clear their roofs of snow before ice dams form and potentially cause serious damage.

Ice dams, SGI explained, form when snow collected on a roof is melted due to warm outdoor temperatures or heat rising up through the building. When the melted snow reaches eaves, it can freeze into a large block of ice that prevents melted snow from draining. That means water can find its way into attics or walls, SGI said.

Warning signs for ice damming include icicles forming on the roofline, discoloured icicles, new water stains on indoor ceilings, and uneven melting patterns on roofs.

The easiest way to prevent damage is to remove snow from the roof, SGI said, especially snow that’s accumulated close to eaves. Special roof rakes are available to make the job easier, the insurance provider noted.

Proper insulation and attic ventilation can also help prevent any damage, SGI added.

Not all insurance policies cover damage caused by ice dams, SGI noted.

“Talk to your insurance broker to ensure you have the coverage in place that meets your needs,” the Crown corporation said in a statement.

“If you have an ice dam that does result in damage, do what you can to prevent further damage and contact your insurance broker as soon as possible to file a claim.”

It’s also important to clear snow away from foundations, SGI said.

“Shovel it at least two metres away from your foundation to prevent seepage into your basement,” SGI said.