Holiday Decorating Do’s and Don’ts
‘Tis the season to decorate your home for the holidays. Whether you are hoping to share some seasonal cheer or win your neighborhood’s Christmas decorating contest, we want you to be safe when decorating your roof. Take a look at some tips on holiday decorating from your friends at Elite Roofing and Restoration.
Setting Up Decorations
● Prepare all of your decorations. Untangle your lights and test them to ensure they are in working order. The last thing you want is to hang all of your lights before discovering one strand has burned out and you have to redo your decor.
● Practice roof safety. Decorate your roof on a calm, sunny day. Remember that the sun sets earlier during this time of year and plan ahead so you can finish decorating before it starts getting dark. As with any other rooftop activity, avoid installing decorations on your roof alone.
● Follow ladder safety rules. In order to reach your roof or gutters, you will need a ladder. Place the ladder on the flat surface. Have someone spot you to prevent falling injuries. Climb the ladder slowly and never climb to the top rung. Do not lean off of the ladder too far, this puts you at risk of falling off the ladder itself or tipping it over. Wear shoes with rubber soles that have excellent traction on the ladder and roof to avoid slipping.
● Use plastic clips or hooks to hang lights. Staples and nails poke holes in your roof which will damage your shingles. Even the smallest punctures can lead to leaks and water damage. Instead, use plastic clips that attach to the gutters and hang lightweight lights from them.
● Secure inflatables properly. Heavy statues/figurines should be displayed on your lawn but lightweight inflatables can be placed on the roof. Install them on a slope that is less than a 45 degree angle and secure them with clips and twine. Some inflatables come with a wood frame to weigh them down. If your inflatable does not have a wooden frame, avoid using sandbags to weigh them down as they are difficult to carry up a ladder and can be heavy enough to damage your roof. If you cannot secure your inflatables well enough to withstand any winter storms, then you should refrain from setting them up on the roof.
Taking Down Decorations
● Follow the same roof and ladder safety rules listed above. While you may want to check off packing up your decorations from your to-do list, do not attempt to remove your decorations if it is rainy/icy/snowy. You can simply unplug and leave them be until safe weather arrives.
● Do not pull decorations off. Pulling your lights off may seem like a quick and easy way to remove decorations but this can damage your gutters and siding. Take the time to set up the ladder and carefully unhook your decorations. This will also preserve your lights and ensure they are still in good condition for next year.
● Discard broken decorations. Check your light strands for broken bulbs and frayed cords. Throw away any hazardous decorations and make a list of what you need to replace.
● Pack carefully and label boxes. Decorations can weigh a lot so make sure not to overpack boxes. Make sure you are able to safely lift each box and you label it for easy access. You have too much to do over the next year other than remember what decorations are tucked away in what box.
If you have any concerns about the condition of your roof or suspect damage from seasonal decor, give us a call for a free, no-hassle inspection!
Elite Roofing and Restoration is your source for quality roof repair and replacement.
In addition to roof replacements and repairs, both commercial and residential, we offer a considerable list of additional home repair services to assist you with any general construction needs you may have.
Contact us today to schedule your no-hassle, complimentary roof inspection today.
