The Hanover urges home and business owners to take action against ice dams

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Jan 04, 2013, 01:53 ET

WORCESTER, Mass., Jan. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As low temperatures and snow and ice storms begin to sweep across the country, ice dams increasingly are becoming a hazard for home and business owners alike.

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With winter weather continuing, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), a leading provider of property and casualty insurance for individuals, families and businesses nationwide, urges property-owners to take immediate action to reduce damage and avoid injury.

"Cold winter months alone can cause damage to your home or your business. But, emerging challenges, such as ice dams that form and go unattended can lead to leaks, mold and even safety hazards caused by falling ice," said Michael Billings, vice president, The Hanover's safety management team. "While pre-season prevention works best, there are steps you can take now to avoid the potential of further damage."

Following are a few simple steps that can help home and business owners reduce damage from ice dams:

Take preventive actions to remove ice and snow from the roof to allow proper drainage. In doing so, take precautions, such as staying on the ground and using a snow rake and consider calling a professional if it is necessary to go on the roof. Additionally, it is imperative to avoid contact with electrical lines, and to watch for falling objects.
If there is an existing ice dam, melt a channel through the ice to the roof surface to create a drain path to relieve water build up.
- An easy way to do this is to fill the leg of nylons with calcium chloride ice melter and place that on the roof. The long tube can melt a patch through the ice to allow drainage. You can refill or replace the ice melter to keep the channels open. Make sure the channels extend to the roof edge or gutter.
- You can engage the services of an insured roofing contractor to remove ice build up and ensure they don't cause additional damage to the roof.
If you observe water damage, hire a restoration service to dry out the walls, ceiling and structure. Minor damage can cause rot, decay and more extensive problems if it is not properly addressed.
Contact your roofer and an insulation company to correct the ventilation and heat transfer issues in your attic. This can prevent future problems.
When replacing a roof, add an ice and water shield membrane at the edge of the roof and extend it at least five feet up the roof to protect this area against water intrusion.
In the future, try to prevent ice dams by ventilating and insulating your attic.
If you have suffered damage to your property, contact your local independent insurance agent immediately.

For more information on ice dams and other safety issues, visit www.hanover.com and click on "Safety Tips."

About The Hanover
Founded in 1852, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) is proud to be celebrating 160 years of delivering on its promises to its agent and broker partners, and their customers. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, Worcester, Mass., Citizens Insurance Company of America, Howell, Mich., Chaucer Holdings plc, London, and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to businesses, individuals, and families through a select group of agents and brokers. The company is ranked among the top 25 property and casualty insurers in the United States. Through Chaucer, the company also underwrites business at Lloyd's of London in several major insurance and reinsurance classes, including property, marine and aviation, energy, U.K. motor and casualty. For more information, please visit www.Hanover.com.