‘Tis the season for twinkling lights and glowing reindeer roof displays. While feeling merry and bright (pun intended) this time of year, many of us get the seasonal urge to bust out the holiday boxes brimming with tangled lights just waiting to be unraveled and tested. But before you get carried away, let’s explore some important steps and tips that should precede your holiday light installation. It’s important to be extremely careful to keep both you and your rooftop safe this holiday season. Check out some tips below from your local Chattanooga roofing professionals at Tennessee Roofing and Construction, and get to decorating!
1– The more prep work you do, the safer you’ll be on your roof.
We generally recommend leaving the rooftop maneuvers to the pros, but if you’re in your feels this holiday season and just have to decorate, make sure you plan ahead. Detangle Christmas lights and have a game plan in place before you climb the ladder, minimizing any time spent on your roof, and thereby decreasing the risk of injury
2– Only use extension cords intended for outdoor use.
Outdoor cords boast rugged covers made from rubber, plastic or vinyl. They are much more durable than regular extension cords. Using indoor extension cords outside can lead to overheating and even roof damage, as well as other potential issues. You also want to double check the function of each string of lights, especially if you plan to invest a lot of time hanging lights for a holiday display Buddy the Elf would be proud of!
3– Test bulbs before you do the rooftop grunt work!
It may seem like obvious advice, but we all know how sometimes the holiday spirit can inspire folks to jump the gun. Take time to check all strands of twinkle lights to make sure you’re in working order before you hang to your heart’s content. Just be mindful while hanging your holiday lights that you don’t cause any roof damage in the way you adhere decorations to your home. And that brings us to the next tip…
4– Use Light Clips to Hang Decor on Roof and Home Exterior
The safest, most efficient way to hang your holiday light display at home is to use light clips found at your local hardware store. These clips come in many varieties and are designed for easy install and removal, plus they’re affordable and professionally recommended to minimize damage to your Chattanooga roof. Other methods for hanging lights and decorations, like nails or staples, might seem like the faster, easier option; however they can cause real damage to your roof. All those little holes and punctures can lead to leaks and water damage that will only be compounded with time. Take it from us– never follow Clark Griswold’s example for hanging your holiday lights! Be smart about it.
Tips For Holiday Light Removal
When it’s time to put away the holiday cheer until next year, be sure to carefully remove the lights and their clips, instead of pulling. If the lights and decorations aren’t properly taken down, it can cause major damage to your roof or property. When storing your decorations, eliminate the headache of untangling them all again next year by wrapping each strand around a sturdy piece of cardboard or large power cord holder, or by organizing them with plastic zip ties.
We hope these tips are useful, and help you protect your property from the need of roof repairs. We want to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. As always, never hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns to your favorite Chattanooga roofing company, Tennessee Roofing & Construction. We’re always happy to assist you with your roof repair needs!
