Protect your roof and gutters – Hang Christmas lights the right and safe way
Winter is here in the Boise and Nampa area and for many homeowners, that means it’s time to hang Christmas lights and decorate for the holiday season. It may be tempting to hang lights on your home the quickest and easiest way, but it’s important that you do not damage your roof in the process and keep yourself safe. Follow these tips to keep your gutters in tact.
Try not to puncture your roof
When hanging your Christmas lights don’t nail, screw or staple the lights directly into your roof. This will create holes that can cause leaking. In addition, after years of hanging lights, this can cause aesthetic damage to your roof line. The best way to hang lights is to fasten plastic clips to the your drip edge metal. These clips are meant specifically for Christmas lights and are sold at all major stores where holiday light supplies are sold. These clips work by clipping on your gutters or eaves of your roof so you do not have to puncture your roof.
If for some reason clips are not an option on your roof, you can nail lights directly into the fascia board of your roof.
Don’t put decorations on top of your roof
In the Treasure Valley we can expect snow throughout winter. That means your roof will already have some extra weight to bare so do not add more weight by setting decorations on top of your roof. Decorations can also cause damage when you attempt to secure them on top of your roof. In addition, you should avoid any decorating that would require you to stand on your roof for your own safety.
Preventing fires and other issues
It’s very important to use the right type of lights and extension cords. All extensions cords and lights should be labeled specifically for outdoor use and the lights need to be waterproof. Keep all extensions cords and light strings off the ground, especially out of the snow or standing water.
Make sure to not overload electrical outlets. To protect your roof and home, turn off all outdoor and indoor holiday lights before you go to sleep or leave your home. Lastly, when you buy lights or take lights out from storage, check them for damage.
Protect yourself
Use an appropriate ladder when you hang your lights, don’t climb on your roof. Your ladder should extend three feet above the roof line where you are hanging lights. To protect yourself, do not stand on the top two steps of your ladder, make sure the ladder is stable before climbing it and always try to have someone else on the ground to keep the ladder balanced. It’s a good idea to have someone keep an eye on you when hanging lights in case you fall or injure yourself.
Carson roofing can help you tackle any roof problems that may arise this winter. To talk to us about roof projects or assessments in the Boise, Meridian, or Nampa area, send us a note or call us at (208) 899-8083.
