With the holiday season fast approaching, it is time to start hanging lights, stockings, and tinsel. When it comes to exterior lights, there are many methods that can be used to help a home feel festive without damaging the materials. Here are some of our expert tips to protect your roof when hanging Christmas lights.
1- Avoid Nails, Screws, and Staples
One of the biggest mistakes people make when hanging lights is putting holes in the roofing materials. Nails, screws, and staples can cause micro holes in gutters and roofing materials which can lead to bigger problems in the future. Moisture damage to your roof can lead to future roof replacement or mold growth in your home.
Using staples or nails also poses a risk to your Christmas lights. Stapling the lights to your roof could damage the wires and put your home at a higher risk of fire. Sparks and faulty lights could turn festivities into a disaster.
2- Inspect The Roof Before Walking On It
When a roof is weak or damaged, you should not put weight on these areas. Walking on the roof to put up holiday lights could cause more damage to your roof or cause you to fall through the roof. Before the holiday season, have your roof inspected for damage. Not only will this help you have a better picture of the roof’s current state, but it will also keep you safe when decorating your home.
3- Secure Loose Wires
After hanging Christmas lights around your home, you should secure loose wires to prevent electrical hazards or fire damage to the roof. Using twist ties or zip ties to secure loose wires will prevent them from becoming tangled, which could lead to frustration when removing them. Tangled cords can also cause stress on clips or wires holding the lights in place. This stress could cause the clips to rip from your gutters or cause holes in your roof.
4- Practice Ladder Safety
Hanging Christmas lights will typically require you to reach high up in your home. Utilizing a ladder is one of the most convenient ways for homeowners to install their Christmas lights. Before climbing on a ladder, make sure you research some ladder safety tips. One of the most important practices in ladder safety is to ensure that the ladder is secure. Placing the ladder on flat ground, setting it at the right angle, and having a spotter while you climb the ladder will all help reduce the risk of severe injury.
Falling from a ladder or hanging lights on a wobbly ladder is scary. Keeping the ladder steady will prevent you from head injuries, broken limbs, and more. Additional tips that can help while using a ladder include:
- Face the ladder when climbing or descending
- Never step on the top rungs
- Avoid overreaching while on the ladder
- Wear proper footwear
5- Don’t Forcibly Remove Lights
When the holiday season is over, or if you make a mistake when stringing lights, never rip or forcibly remove the strand of lights. Tugging and pulling on the lights could cause the roof materials or gutters to come with them. Ripping the lights off could cause materials to lift and leave the roof exposed. Hanging Christmas lights without damaging the roof requires you to think about the future as you’re installing. Think about the clips or hooks you are using and how they will be removed. Even if you’re in a hurry, pulling hard on the Christmas lights is never good for your roof.
Roof Services From Premier Roofing
Premier Roofing And Restoration wants homes in Idaho to have the best roofing possible. Our team focuses on roof replacement and new roofing that will last for years to come. Especially during the cold winter season, having a sturdy roof is a luxury we often take for granted. Premier Roofing And Restoration provides roofing services to ensure that your home is protected from weather, fluctuating temperatures, pests, and more.
Your home or business can benefit from quality roofing that helps you achieve better energy efficiency. Our roofing team can install metal roofing, shingles, tiles, and more. Reach out to our team to schedule your project!