Protect Your Home Against Snow: New Bedford Home Insurance
Most kids think that snow is something fun and exciting. It is light and fluffy – you can catch it on your tongue. Snow can be used to make snowmen, igloos, and snow forts and is the substance necessary for snowball fights. However, adults know that snow is one of the most significant reasons for seasonal claims on a home insurance policy by New Bedford home insurance companies. Your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy provides the homeowner with proper care and maintenance for the property, as neglect is not covered by insurance companies in New Bedford, MA, or anywhere else. It is essential to learn how to safely and effectively remove snow and ice or prevent buildup on your home during the winter months. The weight of the snow and ice could cause severe damage to your roof and other home systems, so it cannot be ignored.
Winter is Already Here
Regardless of what the calendar says, winter has already arrived in New England, which means that homeowners must be diligent about shoveling walks and clearing snow and icicles from the rooftops. Even a tiny snowstorm can yield a decent amount of snow that can “stick” for weeks on end if the temperatures stay low enough. Prolonged periods of cold and continuous storm patterns can leave the Southcoast area blanketed throughout the winter season. Protect yourself from personal injury or liability against your Massachusetts homeowners insurance coverage by taking care of your property. Consider investing in a good shovel or snowblower, have ice scrapers and equipment for digging out your car, and keep all sidewalks, walkways, steps, and porches clear of snow and ice for neighbors, deliveries, service repair vendors, and utility employees. One slip and fall on your property could mean a considerable claim against your New Bedford home insurance policy.
In addition to walkways and other safety issues concerning snow and ice during the winter months, New Bedford homeowners should also be aware of the need to protect pipes. Whether you are new to the northeast states or are a first-time homeowner, it pays to be prepared. When water freezes, it expands, which ultimately causes pipes to freeze, crack, and burst. Not only is this a costly repair to replace the broken pipes, but the water behind the frozen water often causes additional damage within the structure. Learn all you can about prevention, as it is the best way to avoid frozen pipes. Drain any water from outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems before the first freezing temperatures of winter. Disconnect all outdoor hoses and cover your outdoor faucets with insulators available at local hardware stores. Insulation should also be used to protect any pipes that run through unheated areas of the home, including basements, garages, and attics.
Pay Attention to the Roof
New Englanders are well aware of the dangers caused by ice dams, which can occur when the snow and ice melt on the roof during the day and then refreezes again in the evening when the temperature drops. This effect can cause the frozen water to get trapped in your gutters and clog them up. Water can be forced back up onto the roof, leading to even more damage. Depending on the origin of the damage and what you have done to prevent it, this may or may not be covered by your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy. Ensure that your gutters are cleaned before the first heavy snowfall, removing all sticks, leaves, and debris, as this contributes to ice dams. Make sure that your attic area is cool, not warm, during the winter. A warm attic can help the snow and ice melt in the middle of the roof and then drain to the gutters, which can quickly freeze and lead to ice dams. The attic floor should be insulated to keep the heat inside the home and out of the attic for this purpose.
Stay aware of the roof itself and keep an eye out for snow overload. While snow may appear light and fluffy, it can become quite heavy, especially when piled up on a roof. If your roof looks sagging or if you hear any popping or cracking noises, contact a roofing expert immediately to remove the extra weight from the roof. You can also remove snow near the edge with a long-handled rake or a specialty snow removal tool. If you can do this, it will help the snow on top fall off and help prevent ice dams from forming. Professional services can come out and do this for you regularly during the winter to prevent these issues from happening. Got questions about your home insurance policy and what it covers? Contact your New Bedford home insurance specialists at Borden Insurance by calling 508-999-3636 to discuss your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy.