Obviously we here in New England are dealing with ice dams unlike recent history. We have been receiving many calls from homeowners that have ice dams that are pushing water into their home. Insurance companies will cover the cost of removing the ice dams and snow from your roof if it is causing leakage.
Insurance will also cover the cost (minus your deductible) to remove wet drywall, flooring, etc and dry your home to acceptable mositure standards and pay to put your home back in pre loss condition.
One of the ways Ramelli Building & Remodeling is dealing with ice dams is to disconnect the down spouts from the gutters so that the melting ice can drain out....otherwise you end up repeating the pattern of thaw/freeze/thaw because the melted water has nowhere to go since your down spouts are probably buried in 3 feet of snow.
As you try and chip the ice out of the gutters damage to the gutters may occur and sometimes the gutters will be torn away from the house possibly causing more damage. Disconnecting the down spouts (even if you damage the them) is much less costly and helps solve the problem less invasively. The snow can be removed and ice melt can be applied to stubborn ice and the melting ice can drain out.
If you have an ice dam problem and/or water damage call us @ 203 741 0005. Ramelli Building & Remodeling can assist you with your insurance claim and get your house back to normal!