The holiday season is in full swing for many! Families are putting up and decorating their Christmas trees, and holiday lights are being strung around the outsides of homes. Keep these tips in mind as you look at your neighbors' lights and want to make your house festive as well! JTR Roofing, a Maplewood roofing company, has some tips for homeowners looking to install holiday lights on their roof!
- Check your lights
Untangle and test the lights you intend to install before climbing onto your roof. When you're on the roof, trying to untangle lights or figure out why the strands that worked last year suddenly won't turn on becomes more dangerous. By testing them, you can stay on the ground until you're certain the lights work, and you'll be able to limit trips up and down from the roof! - Make use of the buddy system
Never work on your roof by yourself. Make sure you have someone else to hold the ladder and feed the lights you plan to string up along your roof. Working alone can be hazardous because your ladder may collapse or worse, leaving you stranded with no one to assist you. Having a helper and planning ahead of time makes the process much easier and safer. - Avoid causing damage to your roof
You might be tempted to drill tiny holes in your roof while figuring out how to attach your lights. This should be avoided at all costs. Intentionally causing damage to your roof can void any warranties you may have and lead to additional damage during the harsh Minnesota winter.
Instead, make sure you have clips or hooks to hang your lights from your gutters without damaging the outside of your home! - Have the necessary tools on hand
Stringing lights may seem like a great last-minute activity to some, but if you don't have the right tools, it's best to wait until you're sure you're fully prepared. A ladder tall enough to easily reach your roof, an extension cord rated for outdoor use, untangled lights, good shoes with plenty of traction, and clips or hooks to attach the lights are all required. Depending on the weather, you may also require warm outerwear and gloves to ensure your safety and comfort while working on your roof. - Plan ahead of time for removal
When putting up lights, keep in mind that taking them down is just as time-consuming. Rapidly tearing them down can cause damage to your roof, lights, and gutter. Instead, when it comes time to take down the lights after the holidays, it is best to get back up on your ladder and carefully remove them, keeping all of the same tips in mind as when you first put them up.
Be sure to keep an eye out for any damage to your roof while you are installing your holiday lights. If you notice anything that seems off or accidentally cause damage while installing your lights – call the trusted roofing company serving Maplewood and the surrounding Twin Cities area. Call JTR Roofing today at 651-777-7394 or contact us!