‘Tis the season for holiday decor! Before you pull out your inflatable Rudolf and climb on the roof to hang your Christmas lights, there are a few things you should know to protect your roof from damage.
Here are our top tips for hanging lights safely:
Clean out your gutters
It’s a good idea to make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and other debris before hanging up your lights. Otherwise, you may experience your lights getting stuck in the leaves and sticks, making it difficult to remove the lights after installation.
Having leaves and debris near Christmas lights is also a fire hazard. The lights tend to get extremely warm over time, and dried leaves + warm lights may cause a fire.
Don’t use nails or staples
Calm down, Clark Griswold – staple guns are a major NO when it comes to hanging Christmas lights. It can be easy to accidentally staple or nail into your shingles if you have asphalt shingles on your roof. Whenever you puncture your shingles in this way, the holes you create can lead to severe problems down the line.
Use plastic clips to prevent any damage
Plastic clips are the perfect option for hanging Christmas lights without causing any damage to your roof. Before installing your lights, make sure you’re using the right type of clips.
There are different types of clips for different types of roofs and different types of lights.
Here are few common options:
- All-In-One Clips (for shingles and gutters)
- Clay Tile Roof Clips
- Eave Clips
- Clips that go on the ridge of your roof
Note: It’s recommended to avoid attaching clips to your actual gutters – if possible, attach them to your gutters or eaves.
Tread lightly (literally)
Anytime you need to walk on your roof, we urge extreme caution. When hanging Christmas lights, try to use a ladder and avoid walking on your roof at all. However, we understand that’s not always an option, so if you have to climb onto your roof, keep these tips in mind to minimize any potential damage:
Wear soft shoes (like sneakers) and walk gently.
Avoid walking on your roof when it’s in direct sunlight, especially if you have shingles.
If you have a tile roof, walk on the 2 peaks (the bump) and not in between the tiles.
Holiday decorations are often an exciting tradition practiced in the majority of households, but there could be potential risks for damaging your home – especially if you’re putting up Christmas lights on your roof. Using these tips will help you have the best decor in the neighborhood (minus the damage).
If you’re concerned about the quality of your roof, call Hewatt Roofing! Hewatt Roofing is a family-owned company that has serviced Gainesville and surrounding areas for 49 years. Call us today at (770) 297-3585 to learn more about a FREE roof inspection.
Let us know what you have in mind, and we’ll get back to you in an instant!
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