During the holiday season, many homeowners decorate their houses to make them more appealing and enhance the mood of the festivities. However, little do people know that certain decorations can actually pose a danger to their house, in particular, the roof. Today, we’ll look at what these are and share our holiday season roofing tips so you can decorate your house safely.

Why Holiday Decorating Can Put Your Roof at Risk

Common Damage Caused by Improper Decorations

When it comes to roofing, improper decorations can cause damage to the roof. For instance, loose shingles, stemming from nails or heavy clips, can create an entry point for water to seep in, causing leaks. The gutter is another section that could be damaged by overloading. For example, decorations such as heavy icicle lights and oversized wreaths clipped to gutters can bend or pull it down. Another case: LED lights, which seem light, can actually become a weight issue, especially with extension cords, and when ice or snow accumulates on top. Lastly, using screws to attach light hooks or alligator clips under flashing can break the sealant and crack the metal, leading to leaks that may not be noticed for a while.

Holiday Season Roofing Tips for Lights and Decor

Never Use Nails, Staples, or Screws

One of the main holiday season roofing tips to follow is to avoid using nails, staples, or screws to attach your decorations. These can puncture shingles and gutters, leading to expensive leaks and potentially voiding your shingle warranty. Instead, use clips designed for hanging lights; they slide under shingles or clip onto gutters without penetrating anything.

Use Lightweight LED Lights

LED lights are a popular holiday decoration, and rightly so. They shine up the place, making it feel livelier and more appealing. However, using too many or heavy LED lights can be a serious burden if put on the roof structure. Opt for lightweight holiday LED lights, helping put minimal strain on gutters and clips.

Secure Decorations Properly

One of the crucial holiday season roofing tips is to ensure decorations are securely fastened and to consider their size, weight, and the weather conditions. The combination of large decorations, harsh weather, and unstable decorations can seriously compromise the house’s safety.

Anchor inflatables or large decor to the ground, never the roof. Use gutter clips or eaves hooks instead of rooftop anchoring. If bad weather, such as strong winds and storms, is expected, postpone decorations until the weather settles down and permits.

Be Cautious Around Gutters and Downspouts

Don’t overload gutters with lights or heavy garlands, as these can add up and put extra weight that could pull gutters away from the fascia board, causing costly damage or leaks.

Another essential tip to remember is to make sure gutters and downspouts are not blocked, as the cold freezing weather can lead to ice dams, which force water under shingles and into your home. Remove any debris and leaves from the gutters before installing decorations to ensure they remain clear and can drain properly.

After the Holidays: How to Take Down Decorations Safely

Remove Carefully to Prevent Roof Damage

When the holiday season ends, it’s time to wrap up and carefully take down the decorations. Remember, don’t clean up in a hurry. Take down decorations in daylight and dry weather. Start at the plug and work outward, remove every clip and hook completely to prevent ice dams, and inspect for roof damage while you’re up there. Removing decorations carefully will help avoid damage to the roof, but also save your lights for next year.

Bonus Tip: Schedule a Winter Roof Inspection

Winter can bring harsh weather conditions that can stress the roof structure. Snow, ice, strong winds, and similar conditions require your roof to be in top-notch condition to withstand the challenges of the winter season. To ensure a secure, durable roof, schedule an inspection with JP Roofing.

Schedule a winter roof inspection with JP Roofing. We are the experts in the roofing world, and our team will ensure your roofing system is safe from damage that could jeopardize the safety of your home and family.

Whether it’s summer or winter and whether it’s installing a new roof or putting up holiday decorations, be sure we’ve got the team with the experience, knowledge, and tools to create a safe and appealing home for you! Contact us today to get started.

Essential Holiday Season Roofing Tips: For Lights and Decor