With winter almost over, at least officially, some homeowners may feel tempted to cheer Punxsutawney Phil and thumb their noses at El Nińo.
Historically warm temperatures across the country — is that the best you can do? That groundhog in Pennsylvania didn't even see his shadow. El Nińo, it's time to write you off as El Nada.
Before you inhale some sweet spring air and breathe a sigh of relief, however, you might want to remember:
- Even though temperatures were mild overall, the winter of 2016 also included a record-breaker of another kind. Winter Storm Jonas, aka Snowzilla, hammered the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for three days in January. If you live in one of the areas hit hard by Jonas or another winter weather event, accumulations of snow and ice may have planted the seeds of water damage around your property.
- The winter of 2016 also brought record-breaking rainfall to many parts of the U.S. To get a little perspective, consider the fact that famously rainy Seattle saw its wettest winter in nearly 20 years. In areas with unusually high rainfall totals, the wrath of El Nińo could take the form of flood-related water damage.
Winter's departure is no time to get overconfident. Even if it appears that your home survived the winter unscathed, don't wait for the spring thaw to reveal hidden problems. Here's what you can do — and how home insurance coverage can help.
Where to Look for Winter Damage
Snow and ice can spell trouble for your home, but the signs of damage that occur from these perils melting may not be readily apparent. Conducting a visual check of your house should reveal obvious trouble spots, such as water stains on walls and ceilings or standing water in the basement. To dig deeper, consider having a licensed contractor help you look for signs of winter weather damage in other vulnerable areas including:
The Roof
The sheer weight of snow and ice may lead to structural roof damage, such as cracked or missing shingles, not to mention the problems that can occur when it melts and returns to a liquid state. Water takes the path of least resistance, which in this case means finding gaps and seams between shingles and flashings. These leaks can lead to the formation of mold, which can be a costly problem to rectify.
The Foundation
As piles of snow and sheets of ice that accumulate around the exterior of a home start to melt, the moisture can seep into the concrete of the foundation. If a drop in temperature causes that moisture to re-freeze, it may expand and cause cracks. These cracks can allow water and salt to build up, causing the rusting of wire mesh and steel reinforcement rods, which can cause the concrete foundation of your home to disintegrate. Snow-melt can cause similar damage to driveways and walkways.
The Gutters
Icicles hanging from your gutters might be easy on the eyes, but keep in mind that gutters are designed primarily to drain water, not bear weight. Then there's ice damming, which prevents proper drainage by blocking gutters and downspouts (and is every bit as troublesome as the name suggests).
The Yard
Snow and ice can take days or even weeks to melt, particularly when it accumulates in shaded areas underneath trees. Things get more complicated if the ground is frozen, which impedes drainage. If you see a lingering puddle in your yard, it could indicate a drainage problem related to snow-melt. And if your home is situated on lower ground, your frozen yard’s inability to absorb the melting snow and ice could lead to flood damage in your home.
Insurance Coverage for Winter Woes
If you see damage, look for the silver lining. Ice damming, ruptured pipes and similar forms of winter-related damage may be covered by standard home insurance policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
However, standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage specifically related to weather events. Depending on your provider, you may be able to buy a separate flood insurance policy. Also, coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program may be available to homeowners in participating communities.
If it turns out that the winter did inflict damage on your home, sneakily or otherwise, document the damage and contact your insurance provider immediately to get the claims process in motion.
According to the III, it's not uncommon for insured catastrophe losses resulting from winter storms to exceed $1 billion a year. When you think about the costs of winter-related mishaps, it only underlines the importance of having adequate insurance coverage.
Some Final Seasonal Takeaways
Before you put your sweaters back in the closet and plant your garden, be sure to give your home a thorough post-winter inspection. Report any lurking problems you encounter to your insurance agent.
Also, don't assume that winter has nothing left to throw at us on its way out. Just ask the very surprised people in San Diego who endured a winter storm in March that brought heavy wind, torrential rain, hail and even some light snow.
The seasons don't always observe the calendar, but some careful observation on your part can help protect your home year-round.
Barry Bridges writes for SafecoInsurance.com and HomeInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering comparative automobile and home insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeInsurance.com for the most competitive rates from the top-rated insurance carriers in the country. The HomeInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
Comments (0)Subscribe to CommentsComment