Preventing Winter Repairs

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Having a good quality roof rake on hand before trouble accumulates is an easy and inexpensive way to protect your roof from the inevitable harm that snow and ice can cause.

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“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” or so the old saying goes.  But when it comes to winter-weather related repairs, how much can small preventative measures actually save you?  Consider the following:

Prevention: Spending $60 for a roof rake
Repair: Paying $550 to fix your roof
Fixing an ice-dam could be as simple as replacing your gutter, or as complex as having to replace a section of your roof.  By consistently removing the snow, you’ll decrease the likelihood of an ice-dam developing.

Prevention: Leaving your cabinets open for free
Repair:  Paying $10 to $5,000 to unthaw pipes/repair damage
Depending on the extent of the damage, a frozen pipe situation could require a quick trip to the hardware store or hiring a professional to replace plumbing fixtures and sheet rock.  Leaving cabinet doors open under sinks and allowing a small amount of water to drip from the faucets can prevent pipes from freezing.

Prevention: Spending $10-$25 for a shovel & rock salt
Repair:  Paying $20,000 or more for a slip and fall injury
By removing snow and applying rock-salt to commonly used pathways, you’ll lessen the likelihood of a slip and fall incident happening on your premises, thereby decreasing your chances of a liability lawsuit. 

Northeastern winters last long enough…don’t let cold weather claims follow you into the spring season. Purchase a few winter essentials now and save yourself thousands of dollars later on.