The holiday season is officially here and for roof services in the area, that means it is time to hang those Christmas and holiday lights on the roof!
Is yours ready to be decorated?
There are some important do’s and don’ts that roofing services recommend when it comes to installing lights, especially if you plan on a DIY project.
Before starting up that ladder with a roll of Christmas lights over your shoulder, read over these roofer service tips to get a home looking festive without causing any damage that could prove costly later!
Have A Roofing Inspection Done First
If your roof has not been inspected by a roof service recently, it is a good idea to do it now before anyone ventures up there to install holiday lights.
This is an ideal time to ensure it is structurally sound, the shingles are in good condition, and all gutters are well attached and functional.
It is also a great time to have a roofing company check the attic for adequate insulation and ventilation as the colder weather comes on.
A sturdy, healthy roof with enough insulation and ventilation means safe lighting installation and a cozy holiday season.
Don’t Cause Any Permanent Damage
Putting lights and decorations on a roof is tricky.
One of the main sources of leaks and other damage to existing roofing that many roofer services end up fixing later are holes made when putting up Christmas lights and roof ornaments.
The goal must always be to attach these items in a non-permanent way that does not cause damage to the roofing.
Never nail, screw, or staple through roofing materials, as doing so will disrupt the delicate sealed and watertight system that keeps the top of the house dry.
Even a few small perforations made in the wrong places can cause a slow leak that can result in extensive damage over time to the decking and structural parts of the roof.
Putting holes through the shingles will also void any roofing warranties that may still apply to your roof installation.
Do Use Roof-Safe Attachment Methods
The preferred alternative to prevent roof damage when putting up holiday decorations is to have a professional roofing service take care of all the work.
Roofers know where and how to affix lights so there will be no lasting damage that will progress over time and require expensive repairs or shorten the lifespan of the roof.
If the plan on is to do the installation yourself, be sure to do it the right way.
Roofer companies stress the importance of using the right hardware to do that.
Fortunately, today there are a few specialty products available for temporarily hanging Christmas lights without causing any kind of damage to the roofing materials:
- Gutter Clips - Clips that attach to the edges of the gutters for hanging strings of holiday lights.
- Shingle Clips - Clips that slide under the front of the shingle to provide an attachment for individual light bulbs or the wires, depending on the style of clip. Bulb clips hold the entire light bulb, while magnetic clips accept hooks on which to hook the wire, and Velcro clips offer a Velcro strip to wrap around the wires.
Don’t Hurt Your Roof Installing Christmas Lights!
Christmas lights and holiday decorations look beautiful and festive on any roof; however, roof services warn that installing Christmas decorations the wrong way could end up being an expensive mistake.
Start out with an inspection by a qualified roofing contractor before going up on your roof.
Then be sure to use the recommended attachments like gutter and shingle clips to avoid causing permanent damage.
Better yet, contact a reputable local roofer service that can go up and install lights quickly, safely, and easily, without damaging your roof!
