Christmas is right around the corner, and the time has arrived to start thinking about your home decorations. Designing an eye-catching, entertaining arrangement of lights and decorations for the holidays is quickly becoming more popular thanks to the power of modern technology. From arranging a light system that matches a radio station to utilizing LED and USB powered devices, individual homes and entire neighborhoods are joining in on the fun.
Arranging your holiday display can be a fun, entertaining activity, but it is always important to keep the safety of you and your home in mind when going about the task of getting everything set up properly. The weather in Texas can be unpredictable, and making sure that your holiday arrangements can keep shining brightly through any kind of heavy wind or rain without compromising the condition of your roofing system is important to the continued safety and integrity of your home.
To help homeowners in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area prepare for the challenge of showing off their Christmas cheer to the world, the team here at Roof Experts has decided to spend a little time going over some helpful tips that will keep their lights, and their roofs safe.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
No matter what kind of lighting project you’re thinking about for the holidays, always remember to prioritize safety before anything else. One of the first things you should do is communicate with your family or friends so that you can be sure there is a person available to be nearby while you’re working. A partner or spouse, a trustworthy family member, or even a close friend who is willing to participate are all good choices for this role.
Aside from keeping track of your tools and staying on the ground to hand up supplies or decorations more easily, this person can also hold the ladder for you and make sure that you’re not left out in the cold in case an emergency happens. When dealing with ladders, it is always best to be sure someone is holding the ladder in place to be sure it remains steady.
In most cases, there is no need to walk on your roof unless you have something specific in mind for your decoration plans. Keep in mind that the best decorative displays are designed with a street-level view in mind, so having a beautifully decorated roof doesn’t really require putting yourself or your structure at risk by walking over it unnecessarily.
USE PROPER INSTALLATION TOOLS
Before getting started, another important step is to make sure you have all the right tools for the job. For holiday lights and seasonal decorations, it is always best to stock up on plastic clips or hooks that can attach to your gutter or eaves. Unlike metal hooks or nails, these types of hangers for decorations are designed to cause little to no damage to your roofing system.
If you’re dealing with electricity, then it is also important to be sure that the wiring and cords you’re working with have been designed specifically for outdoor use. Using indoor wiring or extension cords could create a whole list of risks and safety concerns that can be avoided by making sure that your chosen light arrangement and the cords to power it are made for outdoor conditions.
If you notice that your gutters or other fixtures are loose, shaky, or seem insecure during your decoration process, then it is important to avoid using these areas to hang anything. Instead, contact a professional roofing contractor right away so they can look into the situation and make any repairs that are needed before the problem gets any worse.
DON’T GET IN A HURRY TAKING IT ALL DOWN
Once the holiday season has passed, the process of taking down your decorations can feel less exciting, and far more tedious. While it could be tempting to feel compelled to get everything taken down as quickly as possible, it is never a good idea. Instead, exercise just as much caution removing your decorations as you did putting them up. This includes working with a helper to make sure your ladder is secure among other things and also disconnecting all of your wirings before anything else.
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR PROBLEMS ON YOUR ROOF
For many people, the holiday season is one of the few times that they think about the condition of their roof. Hanging up and taking down holiday decorations can be a great time to have a closer look at your roof so that you can observe first-hand whether or not any repair work needs to be taken care of.
At Roof Experts, our team has spent years working with residents throughout North Texas to make sure their homes are secure and protected all year long. If you see anything wrong with your roof, or if you have concerns about the protection it is providing your home, don’t hesitate to contact us today so we can inspect it for you and help you make any repairs that are needed as soon as possible!
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