Hanging Christmas Lights Without Damaging Your Roof

With the arrival of the holiday season, many are probably itching to begin decorating with colorful lights. While those lights will undoubtedly add flair and make your home a real head turner, it is important to avoid damaging the roof during the process. Even the smallest hole through your shingles can leave behind an opportunity for water to work its way in and wreak havoc on the interior structures of your home. Fortunately, there are inexpensive and highly effective alternatives to staples available.

Safety is critical, so take precautions and work with a second person. If you have any doubt about your own ability to stay safe or are concerned that you could be damaging your roof, give us a call at Vertex Roofing Contractors; our professionals can help with advice, or can take care of these tasks on your behalf.

Five Great Tips for Safely Hanging Lights Without Damaging Your Roof

Be Safe. Plan to hang your lights on a day where you'll have a helper available to hold your ladder, hand you items you'll need, and be present in case of an emergency. Make sure to untangle all your lights before beginning, and check each strand for bad bulbs, flickers, frays, etc. Plug each one in with an extension cord that is approved for outdoor use to ensure it is working properly.
Be Prepared with Plastic Clips. Stapling lights directly to your roof is a sure way to create damage. Shingles are not designed to be punctured; even the smallest holes will create an opportunity for water to seep in over time, and can result in thousands of dollars of damage before you even detect a problem. Plastic clips are designed to hang directly from your gutters, eaves and shingles, and are an inexpensive, effective alternative to staples.
Walk With Care. Although any amount of walking on a rooftop effects its lifespan, hanging lights once a year will result in minimal impact, provided sufficient care is used. Be sure to wear shoes that have excellent grip and plan your work for a day when your roof is dry; also, be off the roof before mid-day, as shingles can easily reach temperatures of 100 degrees, even in cool weather. If you have a tile roof, never step into the dip between peaks, as this can cause cracks and damage.
Watch for Power Lines. While installing decorations to your roof, be sure to avoid contact with power lines, as this could create a potential hazard. Also be careful not to plug too many items into one circuit of your home; not only could this result in a frequently tripped breaker, it is also a fire risk.
Take Your Time when Removing Lights After the Season is Over. Yanking at those lights in an attempt to speed up the process of taking them down is a sure way to damage one or more items you've invested time and money into. Plastic clips that aren't removed with care can damage shingles, gutters or eaves and the lights themselves may be ruined if haste is involved. Remove clips one at a time and store your lights carefully to enjoy years of use.

Professionals Ready to Meet Any Roofing Need

At Vertex Roofing Contractors, we understand that homeowners in the Salt Lake City area have a strong desire to bring a sense of delight to the neighborhood with a uniquely decorated home. Some people, however, have physical limitations that may prevent the safe hanging of lights without creating roof damage. In other cases, a roof may have been damaged from staples used during previous holiday seasons. If you have any needs or concerns related to your roof, our professionals are here to answer your questions. Give us a call at 801-639-0477 or contact us online to learn more about how we can assist you.

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