When temperatures drop and water freezes, homeowner issues can become a troubling reality. The damage caused from freezing conditions is typically covered by a homeowner insurance policy, there is usually a requirement that stipulates a homeowner has taken reasonable steps to prevent these losses.

How to Avoid Freezing Pipes

Properly maintaining pipes and drains, and keeping the house temperature warm, are easy ways to avoid freezing conditions. Additional tips include:

• Insulate pipes, especially those leading to the outside, and plug holes around the pipes with insulation or spray-in foam. Make sure there is warm air flowing around and under sinks to make sure they will get adequate heat.
• Set the heat in the home warm enough to avoid problems. At night, the heating system needs to circulate water through radiator and baseboard heating units to avoid freezing.
• Make sure there is clear access to the main water shut-off valve in case there is a leak or a pipe suddenly bursts.
• Open the water faucets in your sinks enough to allow a slow trickle of water to maintain the flow of water in the lines and help prevent freezing. Make sure your sink drains are open.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is an accumulation of frozen water in the gutter system and at the roof edge that prevents subsequent drainage of melting snow from leaving the roof/gutter system. Ice dams are common in areas that receive heavy snow buildups.

In most cases, ice dams begin inside the house, when heated air leaks up into the unheated attic. In the winter, the roof above the unheated attic is cold. When warm air leaks into the attic, it creates warm areas on the roof, which cause the snow on the exterior of the roof to melt. The melting snow moves down the roof slope until it reaches the cold overhang, where it refreezes. The process continues, causing ice to build up along the eaves and form a dam. Eventually, this dam forces the water to back up under the shingles and sometimes into the ceiling or wall inside the home. 

What Do Ice Dams Cause?

Ice dams can cause expensive damage or even a roof collapse. This phenomenon may cause structural framing members to decay, metal fasteners to corrode, and mold to form in the attic and the wall surfaces. 

Typical homeowner insurance policies do not pay for ice dam removal. Interior or exterior damage, however, caused by an ice dam on the roof is typically covered under a “special perils” homeowners form.

Tips to Prevent Ice Dams

• The services of a professional should be employed to remove heavy snow from your roof. This eliminates one of the ingredients necessary for the formation of an ice dam. Professionals are also able to address emergency situations in which water is flowing into the house structure. This is accomplished by making channels through the ice dam to allow the water behind the dam to drain off your roof. However, the channel becomes ineffective within days and is only a temporary solution to ice dam damage.
• Your ceiling/roof insulation should be increased to reduce heat loss by conduction. Some state codes require an R-value of 38 above the ceiling for new homes. In narrow spaces, insulation products with high R-value (6–7) per inch are recommended. It is imperative that the ceiling be made airtight to prevent warm air within your home from flowing into the attic space.
• Verify that there are sufficient soffit and gable end vents in your attic. These help to quickly vent any of the warm air that does get into the attic out into the atmosphere.

Be prepared this winter! If you have questions regarding what is covered on your homeowners policy, contact your local IMT Agent!

Warm summer days includes lawn care around our homes and businesses. As you do yard work outside this summer, please keep in mind the dangers of using landscaping tools. weed trimmers. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, injuries from lawn mowers total more than 70,000 per year. 

What steps can you take to reduce your exposure to either sudden or long term injuries? The first and most commonly overlooked step is to review your owner’s manuals. Most manuals provide information on how to prepare the lawn, the equipment, and yourself prior to powering up any equipment.

Safety Tips When Caring for Your Lawn 

1. Before you mow, pick up objects that may have found their way into your yard. Make sure toys, sticks, rocks and any other debris are cleared from the area.
2. Send your children inside or make sure they are closely being watched. The revolving blades of a mower can throw objects at speeds of 200 miles per hour.
3. Make sure your equipment is in proper working condition. Did you remember to change the oil and put fresh gasoline in the tank?  Did you check the blade to make sure it is tight and has no nicks or cracks?
4. Wear proper protection. Long pants, close-fitting clothes, sturdy shoes, and safety glasses should be worn.
5. Remember to use hearing protection when operating lawn and garden power tools. OSHA lists the decibel levels of most home lawn mowers at 95 to 100 dB and weed trimmers at up to 105 dB. 

The IMT Loss Control Department is available to provide additional information on this topic or any other safety related topic. Please contact your local IMT Agent or the Loss Control Department if we can be of assistance.

The autumn season when leaves turn color and start to fall, along with cooling temperature, is a good time to take care of some annual maintenance around your home. By being proactive, you can avoid costly (and in some cases, dangerous) issues when the weather turns even colder. 

Have your furnace or boiler serviced by a licensed contractor to check annually for any repair or concerns. This is a good time to clean or replace the furnace filter on forced hot air systems. If you have a chimney, have it checked and serviced by a licensed contractor as well. Make sure to remove creosote buildup from chimneys that are connected to woodstoves and fireplaces.

Falling leaves and outdoor debris can clog drains and gutters. The fall is a good time to check that these are clean. Clogged gutters can cause a few issues, but the big one for most homeowners is roof leaks. If your gutters can't drain properly, that excess water can soak through shingles, eventually leaking into your home. This can cause mold to grow, along with damage from the water itself. Melting snow can also fill up your gutters, causing similar issues! A good rule of thumb is, clean your gutters twice a year. 

While gutters are being cleaned, take a few minutes to inspect your roof. Look for obvious holes and damaged (or missing) shingles, but also take some time to really comb over the details. Keep an eye out for cracks and general wear and tear! 

If there’s any loose tree limbs around your property, consider trimming or cutting them before they become destructive. Tree limbs that fall on a house or other insured structure on the property would be covered for both the damage inflicted and the cost of removing the tree, generally up to about $500. 

Explore your home and property to remove any trash, old papers and dense clutter in areas like your garage, basement and attic. This can create the perfect fuel for a fire. Household items, like improperly stored batteries and even glassware sitting in a beam of sunlight, can generate enough heat to ignite a fire. Pay close attention to other common, highly flammable items you may keep in a garage or storage shed, including gasoline, chemicals, and gases used for grilling.

Whether it’s holiday gatherings, graduation open houses, or wedding celebrations, if you are considering hosting a party on your property there are some important insurance-related things to know. 

Special Event Coverage

If you are hosting an event at your home, it is good to check premises and personal liability coverage. For IMT policyholders, Wadena Homeowners policies typically include this coverage subject to stated exclusions. Our Wadena Homeowners policy would automatically extend liability to the reception venue for the day of the event. Many event venues’ contracts require an insured to provide proof of liability insurance to host an event with them. Work with your agent to obtain a Certificate of Liability highlighting your policy limits. Should the venue require a liability limit greater than what the policy carries, Wadena Homeowners also offers Scheduled Event Coverage. With this form and additional premium, you can have a higher limit for an event.

Protecting Your Property

With the addition of guests, there is an increased risk of theft. Ensure that high-end art, jewelry, heirlooms or any collections are properly insured for theft and accidents. Lock away personal valuables when traffic is higher in and out of the home. For example, before and after a party, they may have caterers and other vendors in their home setting up or cleaning. All valuables should be kept out of sight.

Protect yourself digitally, too. If you are going to offer guests the option to connect to WiFi, make sure this is a different network than what you use personally. Consider changing the password to connect following your event to also minimize risk.

Ensure Post-Event Safety

If the party includes alcohol, make sure there’s proper insurance coverage to reduce liquor liability. According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners can be held legally responsible for guests’ actions after they leave the party. Consider hiring a bartender who is trained to identify intoxicated guests. Arrange for cabs or an Uber for guests who should not be driving.

Talk to your local IMT Agent about your policy and coverage options today!

As the season turns to spring, it is a good time to check your home and see how the winter months have impacted your property. Once the snow, ice, wind, and freezing temperatures subside, that is a great time to check for any seasonal repairs are needed. 

Springtime Homeowner Tips 

• Have your roof inspected. Freezing and thawing can damage your roof. Have it checked to ensure there are no leaks, loose or damaged shingles, or other repairs needed.  
• Fix any ceiling stains. You may have a ceiling stain if your roof had a leak. First fix the leak, then fix this stain. Moisture can lead to mold or mildew, so address the stain before it becomes a larger problem.
• Inspect windows and doors. Look for broken or bent hinges, frames or edges. It's also a great time to inspect for holes in your screens.
• Consider resealing your driveway. Water seeps into the driveway during the winter, which can create cracks. Have the driveway resealed to prevent further cracking.
• Check your fences. Repair or replace any loose slats or rot on your fences.
• Clean gutters and downspouts. Leaves can weigh things down, while ice dams can bend or break gutters. Check them on your own or call a professional if you're not comfortable with it!
• Inspect faucets and hoses. Turn them on to ensure water is running as it should. If the water pressure is too low, a pipe inside your home may need to be fixed. 

After your home is ready for spring, get out there and enjoy the nice weather. Happy Spring!