Hanging Holiday Lights Without Damaging Your Roof

HOLIDAY LIGHTING

As the holiday season approaches, many families are beginning to look for ways to decorate both their yards and homes. In San Diego, there are few signs from Mother Nature that it is time to start the decoration process for the winter holidays. While there’s no need for shoveling snow off of sidewalks and driveways, the holiday spirit can still be accounted for through the display of hanging holiday lights and decorations. Many residents decorate their yards and adorn their houses with festive holiday lights. To preserve your peace of mind, physical well-being, and roofing system, there are a few roof-safe ways to hang holiday lights worth remembering when it comes time to hang those lights.

SAFETY COMES FIRST

While the weather isn’t as frigid as other areas in the country, there won’t be any icicles to dodge, but other hazards may pop up as you get set to decorate. Here are a few precautions to keep in mind while installing your holiday lights:

• Holiday lights are fairly inexpensive. For damaged lights, it’s better to replace frayed or brittle strands and drop cords from the previous season.

• Unsteady ladders are not to be used. Pay attention to the ladder’s weight limits. They should not be placed directly on gutters since they are not meant to be load-bearing. With any extension ladder, it is best to have a spotter to steady the base.

• It is not recommended to walk around on your roof for safety concerns. Walking on your own roof is riskier than it looks, and if you try to climb to the pitch of your roof where it’s too steep just to have a perfect Santa placement, you are risking a major injury. You can also damage your shingles with too much walking or moving things around. However, if you’re insisting on placing lights on high peaks of your home, consider hiring a professional.

USING THE RIGHT SUPPLIES

When purchasing your new or additional lights, make sure you are using a UL-approved extension cord and lights specifically for indoor/outdoor use. Whether you are using new or old lights, you will want to detangle the strands completely and make sure all the lights are not broken and are working.

When installing your lights, consider using plastic light clips that are specifically designed to secure strands to your house. This is especially important when decorating a tile roof without cracking a single tile. It will help avoid any roof damage from nails or a staple gun that could lead to a leaking roof. You can attach clips to the strands while the lights are spread out on the ground to make it easier to install. This will also prevent any potential injuries or fatalities as you climb up the ladder with lights in tow. They also come off easily when you are ready to take the decorations down after the holiday season or when you’ve finally decided to get around to taking them down.

PLAN BEFORE YOU ARE ON THE LADDER

Before you start hanging your holiday lights for the season, you should take the time and plan. Look at what you already have or what you’re looking to buy to ensure all lights match. Additionally, examine the area where you’d like to hang your lights. This includes the landscaping and gutters. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you run out of lights before completing the job.

The last and final task you should complete before hanging lights is to locate your power source. Newer homes typically have them located on the outside whereas older homes may not. There’s a chance you’ll have to run power through a window to access a power source. Either way, the location of your outlet will limit your design.

Placing holiday lights on your home can be a challenging project. With these helpful tips, you can be sure that your roof will not be damaged in the process and create a safe experience for the installation process. However, if your roof gets damaged in the process whether by you or a professional, contact us at Resilient Roofing for your next inspection and repair.