As we approach the busy holiday season, let’s talk about putting up those beautiful Christmas lights and decorations and how to best protect your roof and gutters from potential damages.
BE MINDFUL OF WEIGHT
Excessive weight is one of the leading causes of roof damage. If you are planning to add some decorations to your roof top, it is best to go with lightweight plastic decorations to avoid straining your roof.
DON’T USE STAPLES OR PUT HOLES IN YOUR SHINGLES
While effective, putting staples or other holes in your shingles and roof decking is a recipe for disaster. By creating these punctures, you are inviting the moisture and water into your home, and it may not become apparent for several months. This can result in high energy bills, mold growth, and expensive repair costs.
We suggest using plastic clips specifically designed for your roof and gutter systems! CLICK HERE for a guide on which clips are the best for your lights.
WEAR RUBBER-SOLED SHOES IF YOU NEED TO GET ONTO THE ROOF
Another leading cause of roof damage, especially during the holiday season is foot traffic on your roof. Not only do rubber-soled shoes give YOU stability when climbing onto the roof top they are also gentler on the shingles and result in less granulation loss.
TIP: Avoid any sagging/soft spot areas on the roof surface, this can be caused by rotted or damaged decking and it is our professional recommendation to schedule an inspection ASAP!
AVOID DECORATING AROUND ANY PENETRATIONS
While it is a family favorite to stick Santa’s feet out of the top of your chimney, decorating nearby or inside of these roof penetrations can be extreme safety hazards and result in costly repairs.
Flashings around vents and pipes are often aluminum and can be damaged easily causing holes in your decking, which may not begin leaking for months.
Decorations around the chimney or electric poles can cause fires if blown the wrong direction by the wind and not properly secured.
INVEST IN A ROOF INSPECTION
Most roof inspections begin at $195.00 and are recommended twice a year (once in the fall and once in the spring). This allows any potential damages that are not noticeable from the ground to be discovered and remedied while there is minimal damage.
It is our suggestion to have your roof fully inspected prior to adding any decorations so you are not causing additional damage to your roofing system and your wallet.
Check our blog on 7 Reasons Why You Should Schedule Regular Roof Inspections!!