First of all… Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from The Roof Guy Annapolis.
What do the Holidays have to do with your roof? Well….are you hanging lights from the edges of your roof? Are you hanging lights from your gutters? Are you putting decorations on the rooftop? Maybe you are going as far as pulling a Clark Griswold in the movie and deciding to install lights all over the roof surface!
We totally get it. Decorations on your roof are a great way to celebrate the holiday season, there’s nothing wrong with wanting the prettiest house on the block during the holidays
But while it might be nice to hear neighbors ooh and ahh over your amazing holiday display, you can do some serious damage to your roof if you are not careful. Installing festive lights on your home can be a headache and potentially cause damage to your roof. Avoid the hassle and make decorating more enjoyable with these tips to avoid roof damage:
Some Assembly Required — Before you even get up on that ladder, take time to untangle your lights, test them and organize all the decorations. Set them out in the order in which they need to be installed. That way, once you are up there, you don’t have to climb up and down a hundred times.
Safety First — When setting up your ladder, do it on level ground. You can even secure it to the house or building by a bungie cord to prevent it from shifting as you climb.
Use Clips — Never hang holiday lights from your shingles. Even the tiniest of holes in a shingle or any component of the roof, for that matter, can allow moisture into the layers of your roof. One tiny hole can cause one giant headache down the road. The best way to put up lights is by using clips that hang from the gutter or eaves. The same goes for securing large inflatable or wooden decorations to your roof — find a way to secure the items so the wind won’t blow them away without penetrating the roof structure!
Awe Not Shock — Seems obvious but keep all decorations away from power lines. Make sure all decorations are rated for outdoor use including extension cords and outdoor circuits. And make sure you don’t overload the breakers in your house, which could be a fire hazard.
Santa’s Helpers — Don’t hang Christmas lights alone. It is always a good idea to have a Santa’s Helper to steady ladders, carry items, hand you lights, or call for help in case of an injury.
Take Down — When it comes time to take down your holiday decorations, don’t just rip them off the house. Ripping things down is a good way to damage eaves and gutters, so take your time and do it right. We know you don’t want to be that house that leaves decorations up until summer, but don’t dissemble hastily either by pulling lights off the roof from the cord. This can cause damage to the gutter or potentially your shingle if you didn’t clip them correctly in the first place. Take the time to remove each clip individually. It’s cheaper than replacing gutters or shingles.
Following these tips can help your protect your biggest investment from damage and allow you to safely bask in the season’s glow.If you are decorating your roof, make sure you call the Roof Guy Annapolis to look things over after the holiday season ends! We will insure that no damage was done. We’ll even do it free of charge. Consider this our Holiday gift to you – a complimentary roof evaluation!
Remember, The Roof Guy Annapolis is your local roofing contractor in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. We can provide you with affordable roofing services with quality craftsman. If you need a new roof call today 410.570.4956 or fill out our online estimate form and schedule your free, no-obligation evaluation.
Happy Holidays!
As the year comes to an end, and we get ready for the upcoming year and new projects, remember to have your roof inspected and follow through with routine maintenance!
