It’s the holiday season! And for homeowners, that can mean an exciting, yet challenging task lies ahead—decorating with outdoor lights. Yes, those brightly colored designs are attractive and festive, and when done with care, the look you achieve will really boost your curb appeal.
But it’s important to install holiday lights with care, so you and your property stay safe. This especially includes protecting your roof, where lights are typically hung—and where careless mistakes can do costly damage and even lead to premature roof replacements!
Avoid damaging your roofing and gutters by using these tips that will have your holiday lights impressing everyone, without putting your property at risk.
Avoid Walking Atop Your Roof
It’s tempting to climb on your roof to decorate. But it’s all too easy to fall, injuring yourself severely.
In addition, walking on your roof without the proper equipment and techniques can cause damage. You could end up with leaks or find yourself facing costly repairs.
What to do:
- Don’t attach anything to your roofing.
- Choose decorations that don’t require getting onto the roof for installation.
- Hire pro installers with the experience and equipment to install decorations safely.
Take Care with Ladders
Ladder safety is essential for protecting yourself and your home.
What to do:
- Use a strong, sturdy ladder that can safely support you.
- Find a buddy who can hold the ladder in place while you work.
- Avoid leaning the ladder against gutters, which can damage them. (Remember—faulty gutters can cause ice dams and leaks, putting your roof and foundation in danger of pricey repairs.)
Check Lights Before Hanging Them
Frayed cords can spark electrical fires, and you don’t want to expose broken cords to wet weather. And not all lights are safe for use outside.
What to do:
- Double check lights to be sure they’re designed for outdoor use. Indoor-only lights can overheat or fray, leading to potential house fires.
- Don’t use iffy cords or questionable lights. Chuck anything that’s broken into the trash.
- Test lights and replace broken or dead bulbs on the ground, rather than trying to fix them while you’re on the ladder.
Plan Your Design Ahead of Time
To hang decorations safely, you’ll want to be on the ground as much as possible, and only on the ladder when absolutely necessary. Planning ahead helps you do that.
What to do:
- Measure light cords before hanging them, so you can be sure they’ll fit where you want to place them.
- Figure out where you will plug in the lights before hanging them. Be sure the outlet can handle the wattage.
- Stunning, bright designs can be achieved without hanging hundreds of lights. Reflective decorations and LED projectors can create beautiful looks without demanding a lot of power.
Use LED Lights to Avoid Overheating
If your home decorations are older, consider making an upgrade to the latest technologies. LED lighting creates eye-catching colors and designs, but more than that, they don’t overheat—so they’re a lot safer for outdoor use than old-fashioned incandescent bulbs.
What to do:
- Get excited about your electric bill—because with LED lights, the cost will be lower than with those old, incandescent bulbs.
- If you need to blend incandescent lighting with LED strands, see what they look side by side before hanging them. Sometimes, the colors won’t blend well.
Invest in Light Clips
Have you considered how you’ll hang those strands so they stay in place? It’s important to do this step properly to avoid damaging your home exterior, the roof, your gutters, and the lighting.
What to do:
- Say no to staple guns, nails, screws and duct tape. These items can ruin your home’s materials and the light strands.
- Don’t attach anything to roof shingles, because this can weaken or break them, making your roof vulnerable to moisture damage.
- Invest in light clips, which are designed to attach safely to light strands and your home without causing damage.
- Attach the light clips to your lighting while you’re safely on the ground. Trying to do this step on a ladder is hazardous.
Turn to the Pros for Expert Installations
Installing outdoor holiday decorations is time-consuming and can be dangerous to do on your own. Professional installers can save you time and hassles.
What to do:
- Call your roofer to ask if they install lights, and if not, what companies they respect to do the work properly without damaging your shingles and gutters.
- Do research to see which holiday lighting companies have top ratings and satisfied customers in your area.
- Choose a company that can help you create a balance between a gorgeous design and your budget.
Practice General Safety
There are a few other general safety rules to keep in mind when it comes to outdoor holiday décor.
What to do:
- Monitor young children during the decorating process, and involve them safely with age-appropriate tasks. Keep them away from ladders and tools that could hurt them.
- Turn off holiday lights nightly before bed. Better yet, put them on an automatic timer. This helps prevent overheating and electrical problems.
- Inspect decorations regularly, especially after a storm to be sure nothing has become hazardously frayed.
We’re Here to Keep Your Roof and Home Protected
As you decorate your home and prepare it for the winter holidays, you may realize that your property needs some loving attention to be its very best. If you notice issues with your roofing, it’s wise to make repairs or get a replacement now—to protect yourself from damaging leaks from Minnesota’s heavy snows and ice storms.
Iron River Construction is here to make the process of roof care easy, so you can fully enjoy your home lifestyle. Discover how we help homeowners in the Minneapolis area get trustworthy, lasting, low-maintenance roofs—and reach out anytime to set up a consultation.
