Well, the snow has officially broken through the roof... I'm freaking out

[FirstLight]

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181784779

I just looked up to se a bubble in the kitchen ceiling. I poked it and it crumbled and there's some dripping, not a bunch of water...it's over the cabinets on the seam of the edge of the roof....Probably an Ice Dam on the not sunny side of the roof... fuuuuck. It's dripping, omfg...

As I sit here and try to figure out what the hell to do. I don't think Homeowner's Insurance will cover snow removal. I got a bid for $500 to shovel off the roof. The deductible is $2500, how does that work? Do I file a claim?

I've never handled this before. Parents usually helped with emergency stuff, but now mom is dead and dad is in memory care and my sister is in control of everything so she's not going to help... Our relationship is strained at best.

Living paycheck to paycheck, how the hell do I fix this?!?

I can't do a go fund me, can't get into my account.
If anyone can help my Paypal is @Journalgrrl701

[CountAllVotes]

1. find out WHO the house is insured by

Homeowners Insurance.

Get the name of the company and goggle their phone number and call them, thats what to do.

[FirstLight]

2. I wonder if I have to wait till morning? It's AAA... looking for my copy of the policy now...

I'm in full panic mode, there's a crack in the wall by the window now...

My heart is pounding and I can't breathe...

[FirstLight]

4. I own ...

My parent's helped me buy it a few years ago. Since they have been in decline, I got everything in my name.
Called and got a claim started, but I literally can't do anything right now, except put a towel on top of the cabinets and pray it's not going to do anything horrible while we sleep...

Like I can sleep at all right now...omg my house is falling apart! *sobbing*

[MerryHolidays]

6. Don't sob. First step: secure your assets.

Even putting a towel over the cabinets is a first step.

Second step: find some handymen who can assist with securing the roof. It can be as simple as putting tarp secured with some bricks etc. to keep any water from coming into the house.

Third step: if you have these handymen around, there are plenty of products that can seal roof leaks for a decent period of time, if not permanently.

Fourth step: as you indicated, make an insurance claim, but also consider getting a home warranty and check if it will cover roof repair (usually it will be temporary).

The bottom line: secure your assets (the inside of your house and, if possible, the roof immediately. Everything else can be handled over time).

Be cool and best of luck!

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

9. yep...get the tarp up.

[CousinIT]

10. This is good advice! Important to minimize the water damage first,

To do that, get handyman to get the snow removed in the spot where the leak is (and a good bit around it) and cover with a tarp and see about repair to the roof. Then talk to the insurance company.

Hope you get somebody soon and that it holds until then! Believe me I know how scary it is when you're alone and things go wrong with your house!

1. Call handyman - to minimize water damage, immediately get roof covered and/or repaired.
2. Call insurance.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

15. Home warranties don't cover structural problems or problems related to weather

They cover mechanical items, plumbing and electrical.

High deductibles for homeowners insurance mean they are not much help for smaller losses, but I think your problems might end up exceeding your deductible. But the homeowner will have to figure out where the deductible comes from. I think it might be time to give the sister a chance to do the right thing.

[MerryHolidays]

31. Not true. You get a rider to cover roof repairs

We have this rider on our home warranty. And there is no "weather exclusion."

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/does-a-home-warranty-cover-the-roof

[ananda]

20. I like AAA. They will talk to you and help.

I have all my insurance with them.

When the car rate went up, they had a 15%
discount through a motion and fitness tracker
that they helped me put on my phone.

[live love laugh]

7. Insurance. Snow collapsed my garage roof insurance replaced it.

[StoolPigeon]

11. Start here

AAA home owners 24/7 claims reporting line at 1-800-672-5246.

[LoisB]

12. Goodness, I am so sorry.

[renate]

13. I'm not handy at all, but I found this:

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/21017660/how-to-get-rid-of-ice-dams

Some of their suggestions aren't possible unless you have the stuff on hand, but here are some things you can do:

Take a box fan into the attic and aim it at the underside of the roof where water is actively leaking in. This targeted dose of cold air will freeze the water in its tracks. “You’ll stop the leak in a matter of minutes,” says TOH general contractor Tom Silva.

Pull off snow with a long-handled aluminum roof rake while you stand safely on the ground. A rake with wheels, like the one shown here, will instantly change the exterior temperature of your roof without damaging shingles.

[KS Toronado]

14. I'm wondering if shooting the snow

with cold water from a garden hose with the right nozzle would get the snow to run off a roof.
You'd get a large iceberg on the ground when it refreezes.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

16. No don't do that

The water will just add more weight.

[fightforfreedom]

17. I have a problem with ice dams on my roof.

I went out and bought a roof rake and it works great. After every snowfall I clear as much snow as possible. It makes a big difference.

[tavernier]

18. I have no advice better than all of the above

except for take deep breaths and chocolate helps.

[Brenda]

19. Hey FirstLight, sending calm vibes!

Good advice by others here. Take it one step at a time. Focus on protecting your property inside first. Hope you found a 24 hour handyman or roofing company to help. Did you try Next Door? I've used that social media to find handyman types in my neighborhood. Or at least you might find a neighbor who can help you in the meantime.

[GGoss]

21. Are You At North Shore, Or South Shore ???

Services can very up there.

[FirstLight]

22. Can't do anything till morning..

The roof rake sounds great but realize there's 7' on the ground everywhere...

I set my alarm to get up and make calls, but considering that everyone else is buried it's going to be hard to get someone to help.
I guess calling insurance in the morning is my first task and maybe they have contacts for me to call...

I'm alone and disabled and climbing up there isn't an option... Could barely get a path down the stairs earlier.
This is gonna be a long haul I guess

[Brenda]

23. You have snow on your stairs inside your home?

Is your house staying warm? Do you need to be removed from home? Call 911 if you do!

Upon re-reading your previous post, I hope you meant stairs outside. Stay safe.

[allegorical oracle]

24. Call a local emergency number even if it's a nearby fire/police dept and ask for help. Get out of

your home if the situation worsens and your roof is in danger of collapsing. Stay safe and stay warm.

[FirstLight]

28. Thanks, so far it's just one spot.

I gotta wait till at least 9 am to start calling places.

Got no savings for emergency contractor, so I really don't know what else to do..

[FirstLight]

27. Outside stairs... See link to my previous post for pics

The sheer amount of snow is crazy

[Brenda]

29. Oh thank the Godz it's not inside!

Hope you have a neighbor who can help you out - don't be afraid to call 911 if you are in distress...these situations are hard on our bodies and it might be more than panic.

[GGoss]

25. Call A Welfare Check On Yourself (911)

Tell them that the roof is caving-in, that you are disabled, and starting to panic.

MAKE THEM come and check on you.

Please

[fightforfreedom]

26. Sorry, I did not realize you were disabled.

Is there anyone who can help you in the future clear the snow off your roof. I understand the damage has already been done this time.

This will probably happen again in the future unless you can find somebody to help you clear the snow off the roof.

[usonian]

30. Call 911

It's potentially life-threatening.
I wish you well.

[ForgedCrank]

32. Another small

hint for you.
You may need tarps to cover valuables and minimize floor and cabinet damage.
If you have a store called "Harbor Freight" anywhere close, you can get tarps there at a much much lower price than the home stores or elsewhere. Also get some plastic 5 gallon buckets and try your best to direct and funnel the water into buckets. Keep the water mopped up as much as possible too. Do everything you can to stop the water from soaking into the wood cabinets and flooring.
All is not lost, fight back and don't give up.

[oregonjen]

33. Have you tried reaching out to your community?

I’m not sure where you live, but apps like NextDoor and even Facebook give you the ability to reach out to others in your community for help. On Facebook, your city may have a community page to join or a Free and Trade page, so you can ask for help.
Just a suggestion. Hope you get help soon!

[FirstLight]

34. I have, got a lot of bullshit snark from the Tahoe FB group, like "go back to the city"

I'm gonna try Nextdoor for sure, there seems to be more contractors on there. maybe sommeone will take payments?

can't call Insurance till 9am PST so I'm making coffee and trying not to look at it right now. Definitely not touching it, cuz that just makes it drip more...


Me and my roommate are hustling to sell stuff online and try to make $ so we can cover this.

I plan on calling my credit card company and asking for an increase to my limit...after I make a payment tomorrow when I get paid.... ugh I only slept like 4 hours

[oregonjen]

35. Just be sure any contractor you hire is licensed, bonded and insured

Being scared and vulnerable, you still need to remember to check them out. Lots of people call themselves contractors or handymen, but should an accident happen, they need to be insured or you are on the hook for their expenses.

[Prairie_Seagull]

47. Snow removal should be part of your insurace claim in extreme circustances.

Tell them your situation and that you need help now. There is no way in hell they can say without sending out an adjuster to look that it will only cost 500 bucks. Get them to help if you can. They have resources and can advise. You deserve to be helped. Take a deep breath and work the problem.

I find Valium helps.

[FirstLight]

36. Thank you all for the support... Can't call the adjuster till 9am pst

I am trying to get someone over here to clear off the bulk of it, the ice is crazy. It's the North side of the house and gets NO sun...not to mention a 5 foot dump in a week has been a little overwhelming.

Funny how you guys mention neighbors - It's Tahoe, I am surrounded by vacation rentals, literally no neighbors nearby. My coworker's husband is a handyman (licensed, etc) and he's gonna stop by later today. There *IS* a water damage company in town but I dont know what the protocol is. Guess the Insurance person will help with that. I have a $2500 deductable so that could be a big issue.

Prayers for the next storm to fizzle!

[FirstLight]

38. Of course, voicemail and email...

I'm calling around town now for roof guys/shoveling... The quote for $500 was from some guy with no insurance...

[CountAllVotes]

37. I have AAA too

I have a $1,000.00 deductible.

In your case, you must pay out $2500 that before they pay anything out.

I ended up getting someone to come over as an emergency repairman to shore up my 80' fence that went down in the big storm here in Calif. in January.

I got several different bids for the repair.

It was a long tenuous process but the fence is now fully fixed and set in concrete.

Best of luck and as others have suggested, mitigate with AAA.

The right repair-person can help you do that with pictures and even videos of the problems you are facing.

[FirstLight]

39. Thanks for the info...

at that rate with the $2500 deductable, I might have to ask my sister for a loan...HA! that won't happen....

[CountAllVotes]

40. Just start getting bids

Do the best you can and collect as many as you can.

You'll find the right person for the job but it may take some time.

I had $500 deductible until last year when they raised the rate on the homeowners insurance. At that time I changed to the $1,000 deductible.

I'm glad I didn't go for $1500-$2000 as they suggested I do.

Too many problems the last few years here!

Don't panic, you will get through this.

They may make you an offer and mail you check(s) if you can submit bids on the job to them.

GOOD LUCK.

[BlackSkimmer]

41. I'd set buckets out, not towels. Hopefully you have some, but you can buy them cheap at most big box

stores or local hardwares. And/or get some tarps and cover everything you can with them. If there's a space between the tope of cabinets and ceiling, try and fix this tarps to cover cabinets, and get anything breakable out.

During my years in the Keys, I had several water emergencies.

As far as your sis, I don't know that situation, but my sis and I are both adults. I can't see either of us calling the other for financial help with a weather issue. Maybe contact your county senior services if you're of that age. There may even be city services.

Sending good thoughts.

[FirstLight]

42. I'm lucky it's just a little trickle so far... roof guy coming tomorrow

Don't know what the bid will be. Insurance adjuster hasn't called back.


mentioned my sister cuz she has all my parent's bank accounts and it's supposed to be split but not yet i guess... she also knows I have had more struggle and that mom and dad used to help me with stuff like this. But no matter I'm gonna try and figure this out myself.

No services, our county sucks and it's rural AF...and I'm not 55 yet for senior services lol

Anyway, we're plugging along I guess. I seriously cannot believe how much snow this is!

[BlackSkimmer]

43. I think I remember once you mentioned you have adult children?

Can they come help with at least the roof situation?

[FirstLight]

44. Both are out of state...

Colorado and North Carolina...

[LuckyCharms]

45. Do whatever you can to keep

the water away from the side edges of the cabinets.

If they are actual cabinets, and not 100% wooden cupboards, then the end panels of the cabinets, unless they are high end, are most likely made of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). MDF does not like water, it absorbs it like sponge, and swells up. I'm just talking about the side panels of the cabinets. The doors and face frames are most likely wood if they are builder's grade cabinets. (Except maybe the center panels of the cabinet doors, which may also be MDF, but they are probably protected with some kind of finish, vs, the end panels which may just have a paper veneer over them).

There may not be much that you can do personally before a handyman gets there, but if at all possible, protect those cabinets in whatever way you can.

If there's not much you can do alone, don't worry. Things can be fixed, and things can be replaced. Even water damaged items may not have to be replaced all at once if they can eventually be dried out. Sheetrock and plaster is relatively inexpensive to replace, and does not have to be done immediately. If you don't have the money to do a permanent job now, just have someone bust out the damaged sheetrock and replace ot with a piece of Masonite or something until you can get the funds for a permanent fix.

if you have water coming through light fixtures or receptacles, see if you can find the circuit breakers for those particular fixtures, and turn the breaker to "off".

Don't panic, one step at a time. Your safety is the most important thing, and all fixes do not have to be done at once. Roof repair is the first handyman priority. The leak must be stopped before anything else.

Good luck.

[CountAllVotes]

46. So true

Safety is first.

I'm still working on recovering from the big storm in January.

I'm alone now as my husband died last year and I am elderly (over 65) and I have MS.

This is no fun but I have learned how to take care of myself and my property because I cannot find anyone else that can do it but good old me.