Most people don’t think twice about the amount of snow building up on the top of their home. Your roof, though, tends to be the ideal area for snow to build up untouched. After all, it is an open space. That could lead to significant accumulation.
That’s dangerous. Snow on the roof isn’t something to overlook. In fact, snow can be very heavy. Saturated snow, for example, weighs about 20 pounds/cubic foot.
This puts a great deal of pressure on your roof. What does it mean for your home and your next home insurance claim?
Keeping Your Roof Safe
When it comes to taking care of your home, don’t forget to take a look at your roof every now and then.
During the winter months, it is important to consider how much weight is on your roof. If the weight gets too high, snow and ice, which is even heavier, can cause damage to the roof.
In some cases, too much weight can cause your roof to collapse inward. The excess weight can also cause roof beams to buckle or leaks to form. This type of damage is common where temperatures fluctuate significantly from freezing to thawing. Rapid temperature changes cause ice to build quickly. It is also common in areas where a great deal of snow falls in a short time.
It is dangerous to remove snow from a damaged rooftop. Whenever possible, have a professional do so. Always involve professionals when there is a risk that the roof may fall in.
There are tools available that work to help remove snow from the roof, especially along the edges. These edges tend to be one of the most common areas for roof damage. Edge damage is common because the edges are less structurally durable than surrounding areas.
Will Home Insurance Cover Snow Damage?
If your roof is well-maintained, your home insurance may cover snow collapses.
However, it is common for this type of damage to occur when the roof is no longer in good condition. Home insurance will not cover damage related to poor maintenance on the structure. You should make sure that you maintain your roof. If the roof has pre-existing damages or weakness, this raises your risk of collapses.
Take a close look at your home insurance policy to learn more about how it covers roof damages. In many cases, policies can cover snow and ice damage depending on what type of damage it causes and why.
If you have questions about how homeowners insurance covers collapse damages, call Henrich Insurance Group today at (713) 349-0400. We also offer a variety of information on our website to help you choose the coverage that is right for you.