There’s nothing quite like that moment when you plug in your holiday lights and behold the festive glow. But it can be frustrating when things don’t work out the way you had hoped. Just ask Clark Griswold. Whether you go all out or keep things simple with a classic string of white lights along the roofline, decorating your home is one of the best parts of the season.
We spend a lot of time up on the rooftop, so we’ve picked up a few tips that can make your holiday decorating merry, bright, and damage-free. Here’s how to make this season sparkle without leaving behind any surprises for the new year.
Start With a Quick Roof Check
Before you climb the ladder, take a quick survey from the ground level. Look for any missing, damaged, or curled shingles. Fall in Tallahassee can bring a lot of leaves and pine needles into your gutters; check for those too.
Decorating is a great time to do a once-over and take care of any small issues before they turn into big ones. It’s much easier to handle a small repair now than after a storm. It doesn’t often snow here, but not often is not never!
Skip the Nails and Staples
It might be tempting to reach for a staple gun, but staples, nails, and screws create tiny holes in your shingles and flashing. Over time, those holes can let water in and cause leaks.
Instead, try these roof-friendly options:
- Plastic light clips that slide under shingle edges or attach to gutters
- Gutter hooks designed for holiday lights
- Adhesive hooks rated for outdoor use, for areas like trim and fascia
These options are easy to find, simple to install, and just as easy to take down in January.
Keep Ladder Safety at the Top of Your List
Hanging lights often means climbing a ladder, so a little extra care goes a long way:
- Set your ladder on firm, level ground.
- Have a helper hold the ladder steady.
- Keep three points of contact while climbing.
- Avoid working on a wet, windy, or dewy roof.
- Don’t overreach. Move the ladder instead.
If your display requires getting onto a steep or high roof, consider leaving that part to a professional. Your safety is worth more than any light show. If you’re going to go it on your own, make sure someone else is home or keeping an eye out.
Choose Lights Built for the Outdoors
When selecting lights for the job, choose strings rated for outdoor use. Not all lights are. Look for labels on new purchases, and if you have last year's lights, check every string for broken bulbs and frayed wires before hanging them.
LED lights are a great option because they use less energy and give off less heat, making them less of a fire hazard than incandescent lights. Speaking of outdoor safety, make sure you plug your lights into outlets and extension cords rated for outdoor use. Consider using a timer so your lights don’t run all day and run up your electric bill.
Watch Your Step (and Your Shingles)
Walking around on your roof can wear down your shingles, especially on a warm afternoon when they are more flexible from the heat. Try to keep your time up there to a minimum and stick to the edges when you can. If you need to get up there more than once, plan your routes ahead of time so you’re not crisscrossing back and forth.
Take Your Lights and Decorations Down Gently
When the last stale gingerbread house gets tossed, and it’s time to take down the decorations, do it gingerly. Gently unclip them rather than pulling them from one end. After you take them down, give your roof another once-over to make sure no damage needs attention. It’s a simple way to start the new year on solid ground, or rather, under a solid roof.
And if you find yourself needing roof repairs due to a decoration mishap, call TSpark!
