With Another Snowstorm Headed Our Way in Goshen, March is Coming in Like a Lion!

3/11/2018 (Permalink)

Snowstorms cause water damage from ice dams and burst pipes as well as roof damage from fallen trees. SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington can help!

I opened up the weather forecast today and did a double-take as there is yet another winter storm warning!  With Nor'easter Quinn having dumped over a foot of snow on the Torrington area last week and another 6 inches on the way, it is clear that March is coming in like a lion! And along with the snow, the storm will bring water damage to homes and businesses due to ice dams, frozen pipes and high winds. 

The most important thing for homeowners to do if they have water damage in their home is to call a professional restoration company immediately.  It is crucial that the restoration begins as soon as possible after water damage. One reason why people who have water damage fail to seek immediate help is due to concerns over whether or not the restoration will be covered by their homeowner's insurance.  Although coverage varies from policy to policy, there are some industry standards that will give you a good idea of whether or not your policy will cover the water damage to your home.  

If the wind from a storm causes a healthy tree to fall on your house, the costs of removal of the tree and repair to your structures is typically covered. If the insurance company has reason to think that your neglect of the tree was the cause of the fall (for example if it was old, rotted and leaning towards your house), they might reject the claim. If your neighbor's tree falls on your house, your insurance company will typically cover the claim however they may negotiate with your neighbor's provider for reimbursement (this is called subrogation). If they are successful, you may not be required to pay a deductible.  

Ice dams cause damage to ceilings, interior walls, roofing shingles and recessed lighting as well as the contents of your home.  Your attic insulation, where the water has all passed through will typically require replacement as well. Fortunately, the damage from ice dams is usually covered.   

Low temperatures can cause the water in the pipes of your home to freeze, in particular those in vulnerable spaces where there may not be adequate insulation such as the attic and garage eaves, under the sink and in converted porches.  Pipes also freeze during power outages – it only takes a few hours of no heat in a home for the interior temperatures to get dangerously low.  Burst pipes send water gushing throughout and cause devastating damage to Harwinton homes.  Sometimes, families might leave the home because of a power outage and return to a water damage disaster. We were once called to a home in which the family had left due to no heat.  A neighbor discovered the water damage when they noticed water pouring out of the closed front door and down the front steps.  In our experience, homeowner's insurance policies will cover water damage due to frozen and burst pipes caused by blizzards and power outages.  

If you have water or wind damage because of the winter weather on Tuesday, call SERVPRO of Southbury / Torrington at 203-267-6262. Our team is ready to help 24 hours a day. By March, we are all eagerly awaiting the first signs of spring however with another snowstorm coming, it looks like we will have to wait just a bit longer.