It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And for many homeowners, that means putting up holiday lights on their roofs. While it can be a lot of fun to deck out your house in festive decor, it’s important to take safety precautions before installing lights. In this blog post, we will discuss some safety tips that you should keep in mind before hanging holiday lights on your roof. Let’s get started!
#1: Invest in Quality Lights and Accessories
It’s important to invest in strong, durable holiday lights that are designed for outdoor use. Additionally, make sure you have all of the necessary accessories, such as extension cords and clips, for proper installation. Low-quality or faulty materials can pose a major safety risk if they aren’t up to par with industry standards.
What type of lighting should you consider for your holiday lights?
String Lights
String lights are great for outlining the perimeter of your roof or wrapping around your windows and porch railings. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes to help you customize your look. For added durability, opt for LED string lights, as they use much less energy than their traditional counterparts.
Icicle Lights
Icicle lights are great for adding a unique touch to your roof. They hang down from the gutters or eaves of your house and can be installed quickly with simple clips. Plus, you can find them in both LED and traditional varieties.
Laser Lights
Laser lights are perfect for creating a dazzling holiday display. They can be used to project dazzling patterns and shapes onto the walls of your house. For best results, it’s important to make sure that you get the right kind of laser light for your specific needs.
Rope Lights
Rope lights are great for outlining doorways and walkways. They come in a variety of colors, lengths, and sizes to help you customize your look. And they’re very easy to install with simple clips.
Classic Christmas Lights
Nothing says the holidays like classic Christmas lights. You can use them to outline the perimeter of your roof or wrap around doorways and windows. Just make sure that you get ones that are designed for outdoor use so they’ll last longer.
#2: Avoid Overloading Your Electrical System
Overextending your electrical system can cause serious damage and even fires. To avoid this, make sure you’re not plugging more than three sets of lights into one outlet or extension cord. Additionally, don’t run cords through doorways, windows, or around wet surfaces. Make sure all cords are labeled properly with the wattage clearly visible so that you know how much electricity is being used.
Finally, if you plan to leave your lights up overnight or when you’re away from home, consider investing in a timer or motion sensor that will automatically shut off the lights after a certain amount of time.
#3: Inspect Your Roof Before Installation
Before hanging any lights on your roof, be sure to inspect it thoroughly first. Check for missing shingles, loose nails, or other potential hazards that could damage your holiday lights and accessories. You may even want to enlist the help of a professional roofer if you’re not familiar with inspecting roofs yourself.
How can you thoroughly inspect your roof?
First, use binoculars to look for any missing shingles or other signs of wear and tear. Make sure to mark any areas you find that need repair. Second, check the eaves, valleys, and soffits for loose nails or other materials that could cause damage. Finally, inspect your gutters and downspouts to ensure they are properly functioning and won’t interfere with your holiday decorations.
If you can’t handle it yourself, hand the job over to a professional.
#4: Use the Right Tools and Techniques
When installing lights on your roof, make sure you use the right tools and techniques. If you need to climb onto your roof, be sure to use a ladder or scaffolding that is designed for the job and secure it properly at all times. Invest in quality clips or hangers that won’t damage your gutters or shingles when installing lights. Finally, avoid overloading circuits by connecting multiple strands of lights together. This can increase the risk of an electrical fire.
#5: Remove Lights Properly
When the season is over, make sure you remove your lights from your roof properly. You may need to enlist the help of a professional if you don’t feel comfortable climbing on your roof yourself. Additionally, make sure that all power sources are off and disconnected before removing any lights or accessories. Once everything is removed, store it in a safe place for use next year.
Work With a Professional
If you’re looking for assistance with planning, designing, maintenance and installation, consider working with Mike Marlow and his team at Blingle! They have the experience and knowledge to install lights quickly and safely.
Remember, just be creative with your holiday lights while still following the safety tips mentioned above. Have fun and enjoy the holidays!