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?

Why Do I Need a Home Inventory Checklist?

Though your homeowners insurance policy provides the protection that you need in the event of a loss such as a fire or burglary, your policy can only pay for items that you can document. In order to ensure that all your prize possessions will be replaced, you should conduct a home inventory so you have a finite record of everything that you own. This inventory will assist you in determining which items were destroyed or stolen.

There have been a number of warnings from media and the insurance industry about Alberta rate increases over the past while. Weather and flood damage has take it's toll on insurance company coffers over the past couple of years and it's true that they are making adjustments to help sustain insurance products that work for all Canadians.

In a statement released to brokers this afternoon Wawanesa Insurance announced that they have released a new option for reporting car insurance and home insurnace claims online. 

Amidst an economy of rate increases and deductable adjustments resulting from substantial losses to flooding in Alberta this year comes some good news. Wawanesa insurance announced today that they are increasing limits in two areas of their base property insurance policy.

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.

While it may seem like a viable option to lower your property insurance coverage to save some money, this may end up costing you big in the long run. If your policy limits are too low, the cost to fix your home may exceed your limits, even if your home’s value has lessened recently. 

Property Insurance Considerations

Though housing prices are declining, home repair costs are escalating. Rebuilding is often more expensive because demolition and removal of damaged property are pricey. Workers must also work around your existing landscape, power lines and other structures. This can make rebuilding difficult and limiting.

Limits on your Homeowners Insurance are established to protect your family in the event that something would go wrong (fire, destruction to your property due to weather, etc.). In an effort to remain protected and save money, consider the following savings tips:

• Increase your credit score by paying your bills on time, avoiding writing bad checks, etc. Insurance companies believe that having a poor credit score means that you are not responsible and are consequently a greater risk to insure.
• Avoid filing nuisance claims. Use your coverage to protect against losses that you cannot recover by yourself and take care of minor incidents on your own.
• Increase your deductible to lower your monthly premium. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), increasing your deductible from $250 to $500 can cut costs by 12 per cent. If you increase to a $1,000 deductible, you could save as much as 25 per cent or 30 per cent if you increase up to a $2,500 deductible.
• Consider buying multiple lines of coverage from the same carrier to incur discounts, such as your Homeowners Insurance, Automobile Insurance, Life Insurance, etc.

Safety = Savings Tip

You can count on us for all your home matters, including Homeowners and Renters Insurance.

Or call us for more information on our affordable coverage options:
1-855-475-0959

A lot of us will be embarking on a little Spring cleaning in the coming month. The days are longer and it's finally starting to get warm enough that you can open the windows and let some fresh air into your home or apartment. For some, spring cleaning comes naturally, but if you're anything like me, you don't know where to start.

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