FEBRUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER

Snow: Beautiful but May Be Costly

Houses are never more beautiful than when covered with snow on a quiet winter day. But the buildup of snow on a roof can create dangerous ice dams. They can shear off gutters, loosen shingles and cause water to back up and leak into the house.

Ice dams are thick, solid bands of ice that form along a roof edge. They are created when melting snow freezes into ice at the unheated roof eave. As snow continues to melt, water backs up behind the ice dam, pooling under shingles, soaking through sheathing and into the house where it can cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and more.

To help reduce and prevent damage from ice dams, tell your policyholders to try these tips:

• To avoid snow buildup on the roof, rake snow off with a long-handled aluminum roof rake while standing on the ground. Using a rake with wheels does not damage the roof.
• To help prevent ice dams from forming, remove, seal or relocate heat sources in the attic that are causing snow to melt. Heat sources can include recessed light fixtures, air vents and attic access doors.

If your clients experience a water loss due to a roof leak, ServiceMaster by Park-Ellis is available 24/7/365 to help with:

• Water damage restoration
• Drying, dehumidification and water extraction
• Document drying and recovery
• Mold remediation
• Carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning

Our technicians know the effects of water damage on a wide variety of structural surfaces and are experts at both damage mitigation and reducing over-all claim severity. So if you get a call about a roof leak, let us get your policyholder’s life back to normal quickly and help you keep costs down and renewals up.Call 419-841-5575 to reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Sources: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1131314,00.html,Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

Getting Prepared for Homeowner Questions

If your policy holder experiences a water loss, do you know the answers to some of their most commonly asked questions?  Test your knowledge with these three questions:

Q: How long will it take my property to dry?
A: Drying time is determined by a combination of factors, including the location, duration, source of the water, the types of building materials, the weather conditions and how quickly emergency services begin. While there are no rules to determine how long the property will take to dry, it may take between three to five days or more, depending on the conditions.

Q: Do I need to move out of my property during this process?
A: If an insurance claim is filed, you may need to provide the policyholder some guidance on this issue. However, as this is a decision they must reach on their own, there are number of things they should consider, such as safety and noise from the equipment used.

Q: Should I open the windows to help the drying process?
A: Opening windows to assist the drying process is not always recommended. Outside weather conditions may vary, so a ServiceMaster by Park-Ellis technician will determine when and if the outside air is appropriate.

Make sure you are ready to answer your policyholder’s questions before the need arises.  Let ServiceMaster by Park-Ellis walk you through our Restoring Peace of Mind Water Recovery Guide that contains 20 frequently asked questions that can help you understand the drying process.

ServiceMaster by Park-Ellis is available 24-7-365. Call anytime (419)841-5575 or File a Disaster Claim online!