If you've been following the latest updates to home insurance in Alberta the past couple of months, you've heard mention of Backwater Valves and Backflow Prevention. There are a number of new and existing home insurance discounts that require you you have this device. Not to mention that it just might save your basement one day.

Saying that it's been a tough couple of years for property owners in our province is a bit of an understatement at this point. In fact, Alberta receives the largest distribution of catastrophes in Canada - 62% of Canada's monetary property losses happened in Alberta in 2012. 

Economical Insurance announced some changes to their property insurance policies last week that may seem minor when compared to the reactions to Alberta's severe weather claims that we've seen from other insurance companies. But, while these changes aren't laden with over the top rate increases, they are important for Economical policy holders to review. 

Did you know that the city of Edmonton will send qualified personnel out to your house to spend an hour with you reviewing possible measures you can take to help avoid flooding in your house? They do and it's free of charge. While they're there, you can ask them what to do to make sure that you qualify for their backwater valve subsidy program as well. 

In a bulletin released Friday, Peace Hills Insurance announced changes to their personal lines and farm property policies that will have widespread affect across Alberta. The changes are slated to take effect on renewals and new policies occuring after March 16, 2014 and could include increases of up to 70% in some areas.

I think we can all agree that going easy on the environment is always a good idea. Many of the products we use every day are now going green even if just making slight changes to become a little greener than they were before. So can you home insurance go green? Aviva Insurance has just launched a new product aimed at doing just that!

Choosing a home security system can be a daunting task. It’s a purchase many make only once or twice in a lifetime, so it’s not uncommon for you to be unfamiliar with the process. You know you want to protect your family and home but just exactly what you need to do that might be a mystery. Don’t let the unknown scare you, here are some quick tips to help you get the right security system for your home. 

Picking the Right Company

Ice dams are typically caused by uneven heat loss from your home in wintry conditions such as snow, heat melting the snow, and cold temperatures re-freezing melted snow. The heat is typically caused by inadequate attic insulation or from warm air seeping into the attic from living spaces below. This causes the roof to warm above freezing temperature, which allows snow to melt and then re-freeze before it reaches the roof’s edge. If this cycle repeats over and over, an ice dam forms and water collects behind it. As the water pools, it backs up under your roofing material and can cause expensive water damage.

Here are our top 6 things you can do to prevent Ice Dams from forming on your roof this spring!

• Keep the attic well ventilated. One-third square metre of free ventilation opening is recommended for every 45 square metres of attic space.
• Seal air leaks to prevent warm air leakage from plumbing vents, junction boxes from ceiling fixtures and attic hatches.
• Keep the attic floor well insulated (between 40 and 56 centimetres of insulation) to minimize the amount of heat rising into the attic from below.
• Clean leaves and other debris from gutters before the first snow. This will help prevent ice buildup in your gutters. Also consider using an ice shield under your shingles when your house is getting re-roofed.
• Use a roof rake to clear the snow above the gutter. Clear about one metre above the gutter to allow water to drain freely into the gutter.
• Consider hiring an energy specialist to evaluate the performance of your home, and recommend some things you can do to minimize energy waste.

Too Late? Already Have Ice Dams?

The Insurance Bureau of Canada put together this handy video on how to remove and replace the caulking or silicone around your bathtub. If your caulking is looking worse for ware, replace it and keep your walls dry and free from mold.