Christmas is only a few weeks away, and if you haven’t already started hanging up your home decorations, this is probably the perfect time to get started. Having a vibrant, cheery series of decorations for the holiday season is rapidly becoming a popular activity for homeowners. The power of modern technology has made light arrangements easier than ever to handle thanks to USB powered systems LED bulbs that can shine brighter than ever before. The catch though is that the process of getting these lights in the perfect arrangement isn’t always as easy as it looks.
At Griffith Roofing in Southlake, TX, our team has worked with several homeowners throughout the DFW Metroplex that have run into trouble hanging up lights and decorations for the holidays.
While setting up holiday decorations can be exciting and engaging, there are some things to keep in mind during the process to avoid putting yourself or your home (especially your roofing system) at risk. During the winter months, the weather in North Texas can change unexpectedly, and it is always a good idea to make sure that your Christmas decorations can stand up to sudden bursts of wind or heavy rain. It’s also important to make sure that the decorations you’re putting up aren’t going to cause damage to your roofing system or create a problem for your roof during bad weather.
To help homeowners avoid common mistakes that could be a big problem for their roofing system while decorating and putting up lights for the holidays, we decided it would be a good idea to spend some time going over some of the most common things that should be avoided.
Always Put Safety First
Whatever lighting project you think about during the holidays, always remember to prioritize safety over any other concern. One of the first things you need to do is communicate with your family or friends so that you are sure someone is nearby you when you’re working. Spouses or partners, trusted family members or even close friends who are willing to participate are good choices for this role.
This person not only keeps track of your tools and stays on the ground to distribute supplies or decorations, but can also hold the ladder for you and make sure you don’t get left out in the cold in an emergency. When you’re doing work while on a ladder, always make sure that someone is holding the ladder to keep it stable and secure.
Walking on the roof shouldn’t ever be needed when hanging up decorations, and without the right training and experience, this is always a risky move. Instead, make sure that you have a ladder system that can reach where you need, or think about hiring a professional to handle the job the right way.
Take Advantage of the Right Tools
Another important step when planning your decorations is to make sure you have the right tools for the job before you begin. For Christmas lights and seasonal decorations, it’s always better to bring a plastic clip or hook that can be attached to the edge of your roof or gutter. Unlike metal hooks or nails, this type of decorative hanger is designed to cause little to no damage to your roof.
If you are dealing with electricity, you must also ensure that the cables that you work with, are specifically designed for outdoor use. The use of cables or cable connections meant for indoor use can be a huge safety risk and might lead to problems that can be avoided by ensuring that the power cord is designed for use outside the home.
Always Avoid Being in a Hurry
Whether you’re putting up decorations or taking them down, it is never a good idea to be in a hurry. Taking your time, and putting up your decorations properly is the best way to be sure that you won’t be causing damage to your roof or any of the systems related to it such as your gutters. At the same time, being cautious is also the best way to make sure that your decorations are handled properly, and that you aren’t putting yourself at risk either!
Contact Griffith Roofing in Southlake, TX to Help You Decorate!
If you’re worried about how to handle the process of putting up decorations on your home for the holidays, don’t hesitate to contact Griffith Roofing in Southlake. We’ve spent years working with homeowners throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area on all kinds of roofing related problems including holiday decorations. We’re always ready to work with you to get everything taken care of safely and efficiently, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our team right away with any concerns you might have.
