As winter comes, adorning with lights shows seasonal cheer. There are good and bad ways to do this, but finding the right solution may not be easy for everyone. Here are five tips from your local College Station roofer to help you put holiday lights without hurting your roof or yourself.
- Safety Should be the First Priority – Installing Christmas lights should be done safely. As you decorate, have a companion to hold the ladder and assist in situations. Install lights from the ladder, not the roof. Old roofs may not be able to withstand foot activity without shingle deterioration. Hang the lights on a dry day. Wait a couple of days if it rained the day before. Avoid high-wind days. Wind makes lighting difficult and unsafe.
- Accurately Measure the Area- “Measure twice, cut once” relates to material purchases. Before buying lighting or tools, measure the space so you know what you need. Most Christmas light packages list the number of lights and cord length; determine how much cord you’ll need based on your perimeter. Any confident person may make mistakes. Buy more lights than you think you’ll need.
- Use the Right Kind of Tools – Installing lights inappropriately might harm roofs. Avoid stapling or gluing the lights to your roof and gutters while decorating. Instead, use universal clips to hang the decorations. These clips connect to roofing and gutters to prevent minor punctures and damage. Universal clips may hang any light. Some lighting kits may come with them.
- Use the Right Kind of Lights – Before buying holiday lights, be sure they’re outdoor-safe. Some lights can be used indoors and outdoors, but others can’t. Use the same lights everywhere to get the same light hue. LED lights aren’t always white, and all lights have varied hues. Check for broken cables on last year’s lights. Exposed wires might make lights stop working or spark a fire. Heavy lighting can damage or loosen gutters. Choose lights that feature clips for convenience
- Be Consistent with Your Installation – Be consistent while installing lights after you have the tools. Start left to right or right to left horizontally, but travel top to bottom. Attach the universal clips 6 to 8 inches apart on your roofing or gutters before installing the lights. Tape lights around windows the same distance apart as the clips. Make sure all the lights point up or down.
The College Station Roofer to Call
Each year is an opportunity to improve your decorations and installation. Safety and uniformity can help you install holiday lights smoothly and wow the neighborhood. If you notice any problems with your roof or just want to schedule an annual inspection for peace of mind, contact your local College Station roofers at Done Right Roofing today at 800-NEW-ROOF.