In the first two weeks of January of this year the Joint Stock Insurance Company "Seesam Latvia" received more than 50 insurance claims related to damages caused by the thaw that followed the great downfall of snow. And with each additional day the number of claims is increasing. The number of persons who have called us is even higher - from the beginning of the year more than 100 people have asked advice of "Seesam Latvia” over the phone.
Seesam calls for taking certain measures in order to prevent exposure of building structures to risk of breakage or collapse during a thaw:
1) Regularly remove snow from the roofs of the buildings
Before the New Year Eve an unusually thick snow cover was formed in Latvia, which in some locations even five times exceeded the snow cover observed in previous years. Serious threat to the buildings arose due to the growth of the temperature, continuous precipitation and in the result of packing of the snow that covered the roofs. If the snow is not removed from the roof in due time, it can deform the roof, bearing walls and ceiling structures; cracks in welds and structural connection points may develop as well. And that can cause roof collapse.
In such cases buildings which are located in open areas or on the sea coast are subjected to increased risk of roof collapse, because the melting snow load is reinforced by gusts of wind.
2) Special attention during a thaw should be paid to light construction buildings
Such as garages, warehouses and greenhouses made of metal structures. Similarly, the buildings made of sandwich panels with flat roofs are in the "risk zone" - such a structure is typical for many industrial buildings. Increased snow load is very dangerous to buildings with large roof areas, such as shopping centres and various sports facilities.
3) Remove the snow in good time – as soon as the frost is followed by a thaw
Special attention should be paid to thickness of the snow layer on the roof when the frost is followed by a thaw and the snow cover is in addition compacted by the rain – the weight of a 30 cm thick layer of melting snow that covers one square meter of the roof is about
4) When planning cleaning of a roof, you have to think about safety at first
Where possible, these works should be entrusted to specialists.
Plastic or wooden spades, as well as special equipment and tools, such as a rubber mallet, should be used for roof cleaning. Snow removal with metal spades and icicle beating down with axes can cause damage to the roofing and its insulation. But the snow and rain water can inundate the interior through the damaged places. So it is very important after the engaged cleaners have done their work, to assess the work quality and make sure that no damage has been caused to the roofing.
5) Contact the house manager
House manager is obliged to carry out a survey of the building. If, however, melting snow water has caused damage to the building and thereby a loss for you, immediately contact the building manager to report the incident and ask for surveying the damaged property. House managers are obliged to carry out this survey and make a statement. In this document it should be specified what were the reasons which resulted in the property damage. If the reason was snow that was not removed in due time and that caused damage in the course of melting, it shall be clearly indicated in this statement. Similarly, an exact description of the damage as well as the size thereof must be clearly recorded in the statement.
6) Document the damage by taking photos
In addition to the damage description in the statement, is important to document the damage in photographs. In addition, it is recommended to make photos and execute the statement in the presence of witnesses.
The damage survey statement and the photos will be evidence on which you can rely when requesting compensation for the damage to your property from the house manager.
7) Report to the police if the house manager avoids to perform his obligations
However, not always in an emergency situation an owner can get in touch with the house manager. The house manager may also try to avoid a survey of the damaged property and documenting the damage. In that case, report to the police and ask them to arrive to the incident place and make a protocol on the damage caused to the property.
Another alternative possibility for an owner is to make a damage statement in absence of the house manager. In this case, you should invite two independent witnesses, who must sign the statement. And also in such a situation it is highly desirable to make photographs of any damage and preserve them as evidence of your claim for compensation of damages.
8) Consult your insurer
The insurance company will pay compensation of the damage in cases where the damage occurred during a heavy downfall of snow or immediately after that.
When the property was insured, the insurance company will pay compensation of the damage in cases where the damage occurred during a heavy downfall of snow or immediately after that. But the responsibility for a loss or damage resulting from the melting snow, for example, from the roof, must be undertaken by building managers because in such cases, the damage and losses, most probably, have occurred due to any non-performed works of the house manager, for example, due to failure to remove snow from the roof in good time, although it is a direct responsibility of each house manager.
If you have any questions associated with claims for damage caused to your property in the result of a thaw, do not hesitate and consult your insurer.