MLM_LOGO_RALPH _FINAL

Exterior Holiday Decorating Tips to Protect Your Roof

Happy December! It is officially the holiday season and many people have started to put up their exterior holiday decorations. Before you’re able to sit back and take in all of the holiday spirit, you need to climb the ladder up to the roof to hang up your lights.
Hanging lights on your roof could lead to potential harm that will end up costing you down the road. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you start decorating!

1. Before doing anything, untangle your lights and check to see if all of the bulbs work! Checking the bulbs before hanging them will save you the headache of dealing with it afterwards and having no tangles prior to hanging will decrease the risk of potential accidents while on your ladder.

2. The best thing to use to anchor your lights are Christmas light hooks. Do not use shingles or tiles for anchor points, as this will potentially lead to cracked or curled shingles. These hooks are inexpensive and could be found at a handful of stores such as target, home depot and amazon.
3. We suggest to avoid walking along your roof while decorating for the holidays. But if you have to, walk cautiously! Taking heavy steps or rushing around could damage your roof, and is also a severe safety risk.
4. Although it seems obvious, make sure the ladder is in a secure spot! A wobbly ladder could cause you to grab onto your roof for stability. Putting too much weight in one section could be dangerous to yourself and your roof.

5. Lastly, make sure you have a safe removal plan for when it comes time to take them down. A careful removal will go a long way, yanking or tugging could cause distress on your shingles and gutters!
We hope these tips stay in your mind while decorating your exterior for the holiday season!

What you should be looking for when you are on your roof
There are not many times a year that you are on your roof, which makes the holiday season the perfect time to do a self inspection. Here are some things you should be looking for:
1. Identify areas with moss, algae, and piles of leaves – these areas are notorious for causing costly leaks and water damage.
2. Keep your eye out for buckled and curled shingles! Hot air from attics often causes shingles to buckle and curl away from the home, putting your roof and home at great risk for weather damage and poor roof ventilation.
3. Look for missing, damaged, and aged shingles – this is the leading cause of roof damage. When you take the time to inspect your roof, you can catch minor issues like these before they turn into major issues followed by serious damage. Missing shingles = direct exposure to inclement weather, plus, they are an eyesore!
4. It is so important to clean your gutters and roof overhangs and maintain your downspouts! As you’re performing these essential tasks, make note of open joins and signs of rot, as those are typical indicators of larger issues.
5. Look closely for granule loss (texture on shingles). Granule loss indicates that shingles have aged or have been affected by severe weather, and are no longer protecting your home against damaging storms. If your shingles don’t have a texture on them anymore, replace them!

If you complete a self inspection and notice any of these forms of damage, let us help! We are dedicated to helping our customers have the best experience with us from start to finish. When you set up an appointment, we will come inspect the damage for free! No-obligation, no gimmicks, just good family-like customer service. Call or message us today.

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
LinkedIn

Latest post

Need help?

Don't hesitate to contact us