Decorating Your Home for the Holidays: Dos and Don’ts

Now that Thanksgiving is over and the spirit of Christmas is everywhere, it’s  time to get festive. If you did not decorate immediately after Halloween, now is a great time to retrieve your yard decorations and house lights from the attic. While many types of decorations can be set up without a hitch like inflatable yard snowmen and candy canes, anything that attaches to your roof requires extra care and attention. What are the dos and don’ts of holiday roofing decorations?

Holiday Lights on the Roof

One of the go-to classic setups for holiday home decorations, a series of white or multi-colored lights that hang across the length of the roof is a common sight during the month of December. Here’s how to set up these lights correctly.

Do:

• Use ladders with solid footing to reach your roof. If you can’t reach your roof safely, please stop and ask for help.
• Get a friend or family member to spot you while you set up your lights.
• Avoid using ladders that press against your gutters (this can dislodge them and cause you some nuisance repairs at the worst financial time of the year!)
• Use special mounting devices for lights to avoid puncturing your shingles like these gutter clips.

Don’t:

• Use nails to secure your lights. This can puncture your shingles and create roofing leaks.
• Use any other improper mounting method that punctures or weakens your roofing components.
• Try to install these without a secure ladder or safety equipment. In all situations, use common sense and make your well-being a priority.

Rooftop Decorations

There may be an amazing Santa float you want to install on your roof this holiday season, but make sure you can be safe while you do so! Here are some tips!

Do:

• Mount inflatable decorations with devices that avoid puncturing shingles, like cables or other manufacturer-approved methods.
• Call for help if you cannot get on your roof safely or if you lack the right equipment, like shoes with good traction.
• Secure your decorations well so that strong winds won’t carry them away.
• Be prepared for situations like snowstorms and hail. Check the weather frequently to see if you need to take them down temporarily.

Don’t:

• Put anything too heavy on your roof.
• Go on your roof without safety equipment and knowledge on how to navigate your roof properly
• Use decorations that are not manufactured to go on roofs. These can exceed your roof’s weight limits and also be fire hazards.
• Hang anything heavy from your gutters. This will cause them to sag and potentially come off your home during a busy time of year.

Tips for Easy Decorating

If you are in a unique season of your life where spending hours setting up may not be possible, fret not. There are still options for time-strapped individuals. Whether you’re meeting back-to-back deadlines before the holiday break or have three kids under the age of 5, we understand. This is why this list of fast, fun holiday decorations is here for you:

• Projector lights- All of the festiveness of roofing lights but without the hassle (or climbing)!
• Non-light-up yard decorations- Putting these up is as easy as sticking in yard flamingos. How’s that for low stress?
• No ladder? No problem- Wrap lights around the porch, bushes ,or tree trunks instead of the roof. You’ll still create a great mood without spending a lot of time getting on your roof.
• Use your home’s interior to influence the exterior- Invest in some window candles and decals to dress up your home from within!

This short list can get you started on having a festive house without going on your roof at all. These are great for busy parents and professionals, or really anyone who can’t get on their roof safely.

Trust Your Roof Replacement to Noble Roofing

Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new roof is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville VA and surrounding cities. Give us a call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.

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