Hanging Holiday Lights Without Damaging Your Roof
December is in a few days, and you know what that means – Christmas is around the corner! This is the time of year that you spend time with your family and enjoy the festive decorations both inside and outside the home.
However, the most joyous holiday also requires some extensive preparations and we’re not talking about buying presents. Christmas preparations are also about decorating the exterior of your home. Whether your Christmas decorating makes you stand out like Clark Griswald or you want to just have a few strands, hanging Christmas lights and decorations is a multiple-step process.
Not only do you have to be extra careful while doing so but improperly installing Christmas lights can also be the downfall for your roof.
Safety First
When hanging Christmas lights, the first thing to think about is safety for both you and for your roof. Christmas is a beautiful time, but let’s not forget that it could be wet, windy, and all-around not ideal even when you have both of your feet on the ground.
Hanging Christmas lights on your home usually requires the use of a ladder so make sure it’s secured and the ladder legs are standing on level ground before you climb up there. Also, the best way is to have a helper at all times since hanging Christmas lights should not be a one-person job!
Prepare everything
Plan where each string of Christmas lights will go and make sure you test the lights before you hang them. You don’t want to go through all the trouble of attaching the lights only to be sorely disappointed once you climb back down.
Protect your Roof
Christmas lights can wreak havoc on your roofing system. Here are some things to avoid this holiday season:
Stepping on shingles and tiles
Avoid walking on your roof as much as possible. This is not only dangerous but it can also damage your roof. One loose tile is all it takes for you to end up on the ground like Humpty Dumpty. Also, if you don’t know how to walk on a tile roof they can easily crack or break under your feet.
Step away from nails and hammers
You may think the easiest way to hang Christmas lights is with a few nails and a hammer or even a staple gun. However, will your roofing be able to endure that treatment? Probably not. After a few nail and/or staple holes, you’ll quickly realize that you’ve created a way in for that dreaded moisture and dampness. To avoid a potential disaster, stick to plastic clips. All-purpose light clips work great on all surfaces. Therefore, you can attach them to your roof, gutters, shutters, and even on the sides of your home and best of all they’re cheap and reusable.
Plastic clips on shutters, gutters, and shingles
If you buy regular plastic clips, make sure they are safe to use on all roofing parts. Some plastic clips aren’t ideal for gutter decorations. Keep this in mind or switch to different decoration tactics if you’ve already bought some. Plastic clips are also easy to remove.
Stay away from the chimney
If you have your heart set on decorating Santa’s entrance as well — do it carefully. This usually requires walking on a sloped roof and around the chimney multiple times. Make sure you have proper shoes and take small steps. Plastic blow-up decorations do not mix well with chimneys. If you plan on using the fireplace, place them far away so that they don’t melt.
Finding a way around it
The best way to protect your roof is to avoid decorating it. Use your gutters and lawn decorations look lovely. They’ll save you the hassle of climbing up on the roof and dangling 10 feet off the ground.
Final thoughts
Christmas time is a time for celebration and relaxation. Remember our guidelines when you think about decorating and keep both yourself and your roof safe and sound this Christmas season. If you think your roof may have been damaged by previous Christmas light installations or you’re worried Santa landed his sleigh hard on your roof and the reindeer scratched or tore a few shingles or broke tiles, complete the form below for a complimentary roof inspection. Merry Christmas!
Have questions? Contact Us!
Complete the form below or click on one of the Affluent Exteriors office locations above near you. Once we receive your information, our friendly staff will follow up to confirm your information and assign one of our Roofing Consultants to your project.
Your Roofing Consultant will spend time with you to understand your specific problem or need, schedule a complimentary roof inspection, and work with you to present a plan that gives your project the attention, skill, and expertise it deserves.
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