The holidays are right around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about decorations. Eye-catching light displays are more popular than ever thanks to modern technology. From light shows synced to a radio station to LED and USB-powered decorations, individual homes and entire neighborhoods are joining in on the fun.
Setting up your holiday display can be a lot of fun, but keep your safety and your home's safety in mind while you do it. Texas weather is unpredictable, and your decorations need to make it through wind and rain without damaging your roof.
Whatever kind of lighting project you have in mind, put safety first. Before you start, line up a family member or friend to be nearby while you work. A partner or spouse, a trustworthy family member or a close friend who's willing to help are all good choices.
Besides keeping track of your tools and handing up supplies from the ground, this person can hold the ladder and make sure help is close by if something goes wrong. When you're on a ladder, it's always best to have someone holding it steady.
In most cases, there's no need to walk on your roof unless you have something specific in mind. The best displays are designed to be seen from the street, so a beautiful roofline doesn't require putting yourself or your shingles at risk by walking across them.
Use Proper Installation Tools
Before you get started, make sure you have the right tools for the job. For holiday lights and seasonal decorations, stock up on plastic clips or hooks that attach to your gutters or the edge of the shingles. Unlike metal hooks, nails or staples, these clips cause little to no damage to your roof.
If you're working with electricity, make sure the lights, cords and timers are rated for outdoor use. Indoor lights and extension cords aren't built for rain and temperature swings, and using them outside creates real safety risks.
If your gutters or other fixtures feel loose, shaky or insecure while you're decorating, don't hang anything from them. Instead, contact a roofing contractor so they can look at the problem and make repairs before it gets worse.
Don't Rush Taking It All Down
Once the holidays are over, taking down decorations feels less exciting and far more tedious. It's tempting to get everything down as fast as possible, but that's when people get hurt. Use the same care taking decorations down as you did putting them up: unplug everything first, work with a helper and make sure the ladder is secure.
Keep Your Eyes Open For Problems On Your Roof
For many people, the holidays are one of the few times they think about the condition of their roof. Hanging and removing decorations is a good chance to look closely at your shingles, gutters and flashing and spot anything that needs repair.
At Roof Experts, we've helped homeowners across North Texas keep their roofs in good shape since 2017. If you see anything wrong with your roof, or you're worried about how well it's protecting your home, contact our Arlington office for a free roof inspection and any repairs it needs.