Cold temperature, snow, and icicles are common occurrences in many areas during the winter months. However, there is a lesser-known villain here called ice damming that can cause a lot of water damage to your property.
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause water damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas
Items and areas normally affected by ice damning include:
- Damage to shingles or siding
- Interior water damage (from water running down/into walls)
- Roof damage (such as rotting soffit, fascia, or sheathing)
- Insulation damage (in your attic or walls)
- Damage caused by mold and mildew
With respect to insurance coverage, most property owners want to know if their property insurance policies cover for ice dam and resulting water damage. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer other than it depends upon a specific set of circumstances. Generally speaking, if the loss and damage were sudden and accidental, meaning that the damage and water-related damage was abrupt and unexpected, most insurance companies will provide coverage.
On the contrary, many insurance companies may deny coverage under situations where they feel the ice dams occurred over a long period of time, neglect or faulty maintenance, defect or faulty design/construction of the structure, and the most common normal wear and tear. While many of these reasons may be legitimate, we often find some that are not. Historically, most claims for damage and water damage from ice dams have been paid, but insurance companies are a business and they are not in the business of handing out money.
Therefore, it is the duty of the policyholder property owner to prove their claim and prove the damage and water damage to their insurance company. This is where a qualified/certified water damage cleanup company, such as Expert Restoration, can assist with the ice damn and water damage insurance claim process. They should be one of the first people you call to help with stopping the water damage and preventing mold and mildew from growing. They are available all along the Wasatch Front and Back 24/7, you just need to call 801-642-4347.
