Ice dams, frozen pipes, and the winter claims we see most in Central PA

Central Pennsylvania winters cycle: a thaw, a freeze, another thaw. That rhythm — more than any single snowstorm — is what produces the home claims we handle between December and March.

Ice dams

Warm air escaping into an attic melts the snow on the upper roof. The water runs down, refreezes at the cold eave, and builds a ridge of ice that pushes meltwater back up under the shingles. The damage usually shows up indoors first, as a stain on a ceiling or a wall. Insulation and attic ventilation do more to prevent this than anything you can do from a ladder in February.

Frozen pipes

The vulnerable runs are the ones in unheated space: crawl spaces, garages, exterior walls, and vacation properties left at a low thermostat. Before you travel in winter, shut off and drain outside spigots, keep the heat on rather than off, and consider having someone check the house. Many policies contain conditions about maintaining heat or shutting off water in a vacant home — worth reading before you leave.

What tends to be covered, and what usually isn't

• Sudden water damage from a burst pipe is commonly covered; gradual seepage and long-term leaks generally are not.
• Damage from the weight of ice or snow may be covered, subject to your policy terms.
• Water backing up through drains or sump pumps is usually an optional endorsement, not automatic.
• Wear, rot, and deferred roof maintenance are maintenance issues, not insured losses.

Do this in October, not January

Clear the gutters, check attic insulation, note where your main water shutoff is, and photograph the interior of your home room by room. If you have finished a basement, added a bathroom, or renovated a kitchen since you bought the policy, tell your agent — a rebuilding cost that has not been updated in five years is the most common surprise in a large claim.

General information only. Coverage depends on your policy's terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits.