Blog Layout

Staying Safe When Hanging Lights on Your Roof This Holiday Season

Roof Pros • December 16, 2020
Now that the holidays are in full swing, it’s time to decorate your home if you haven’t already. While decorating your interior is a given, you might also want to add a few lights and other fixtures to your roof. After all, nothing gives off a beautiful gingerbread house-like appearance to a home covered in lights, tinsel, and snow. 

Before stringing up your lights, however, you should make sure you’ve taken all the necessary safety precautions. Climbing up onto your roof using a ladder with cables strung across your body is not exactly an easy feat. By keeping yourself and your roof safe, you’ll prevent any unwanted injuries and needing a roofing repair in Western, MA in the middle of the holidays. 

Here are several guidelines for you to follow before setting out to decorate your roof for the holidays. 

Making Safety a Priority

Decorating your home’s exterior is not the same as fixing up decorations inside. For starters, you’ll be elevating yourself using a ladder and clambering onto uneven surfaces of your roof while trying not to damage it. Make sure you’re operating your ladder safely and familiarize yourself with what not to do while on your roof. 

hanging lights on roof during the Holidays


1 - Inspect Your Ladder Every Time


While decorating, you’re going to be climbing the ladder multiple times to move materials to and from the roof. If you have a ladder that you haven’t used for several years now, then it would be best for your safety that you thoroughly check it. Some ladder rungs may not be as stable as they used to be—swap out your ladder and purchase a new one if this is the case. 


Operating your ladder correctly is also essential in maintaining your safety. Two feet and one hand must always be in contact with the ladder, and you should only climb it when somebody else is home so they can spot you. Lastly, only go up the ladder if weather conditions are good to prevent chances of slipping or working in little to no visibility. 


2 - Take Extra Precautions When Climbing Your Roof


Make sure you can call the right roofing companies near you to fix damages in case something goes wrong. To prevent this, the first thing you should consider is how much weight you’re adding to the roof with your decorations. 


Hanging too many lights on your gutters can cause them to pull away from the fascia, so be sure they’re in the right condition to handle any additional weight, no matter how minor. If you plan on placing decorations right on the roof, like a sled or something equally large, then be careful not to damage your shingles in the process, as these can be expensive to replace if enough are damaged. 


3 - Attach Your Decorations Conservatively


Attaching decorations should be done in a safe manner that will not cause damages to your roof. Avoid using nails at all costs, and do not use staple guns either! These create tiny holes in different parts of your roof, which are potential entryways for water. When water gets in through your shingles, it can cause not only leaks but rot as well. Keep your local roofing company in your address book if something should happen to your roof in the process of decorating. 


Instead of putting them on the roof, keep larger cut-outs and statue decorations on the ground. You’ll keep them safe, stable, and reusable for next year’s holiday season. The same goes for inflatables, which should be kept away from chimney vents, power lines, and tree branches to avoid damages. These can also cause potential fires on your roof, so it might be better to keep them on the ground. 


Stay Safe When Hanging Lights On Your Roof This Holiday Season


It’s a wonderful time of year, and setting up decorations to celebrate the season, the year that has passed, and the next one to come can have anybody giddy with excitement. However, everybody should remember that safety is the main priority for any big project, including home decorating. 


Keeping yourself and your roof safe will ensure that everything’s in good shape by the time the holiday season fades and the snow melts. Now it’s time to string up your lights safely to celebrate the end of a long year!


The best
roofing companies in Western MA can take care of all your roofing needs. Here at Roof Pros, we specialize in delivering seamless repairs and new roof installations using only top quality materials and experienced technicians. Get an online free quote or call us at 413-707-7663 for more information.


Request a Free Quoted
Should you replace your roof before installing solar panels
By NRB Roof Pros March 16, 2024
In the quest for sustainable living and energy independence, many homeowners turn to the power of solar panels. However, an often overlooked step in preparing your house for solar energy is the condition of the rooftop itself. Is your current roof suitable for solar panel installation, or would it be wiser to replace it beforehand? We will explore the critical factors that every environmentally conscious homeowner should consider before taking the leap into solar power.
Spring tips for your roof
By NRB Roof Pros March 16, 2024
In this detailed guide, we'll walk you through the top five essential tips for preparing your roof for spring. Whether you're a first-time homeowner looking to care for your roof in Western mass or a seasoned pro, these tips will empower you to take the necessary steps to keep a sturdy roof over your head.
homeowner roof raking during New England snow storm.
By NRB Roof Pros January 22, 2024
When to call the pros - understanding the limits of DIY roof raking. This guide will help you evaluate if you should take on rook raking including roof height, safety and more. Before you get on a ladder, take a look at this guide.
identifying roofing issues in Western Massachusetts
By NRB Roof Pros January 19, 2024
It's official, winter is back in Western MA as we continue to see snow and freezing temperatures hit the Pioneer Valley. Our homes, particularly our roofs, face unique challenges in these frosty months. The roof, our first line of defense against the harsh elements, requires special attention. Winter brings a suite of hazards that can compromise the integrity and safety of our roofing systems. From the weight of heavy snowfall to the hidden dangers of ice dams and condensation, the cold season can turn small vulnerabilities into major problems.
learning how to tell how old your roof is
By Nick Bernier January 2, 2024
o you know how old your roof is? Understanding the age of your roof is vital in maintaining the safety, comfort, and value of your home. Like all aspects of a house, roofs have a lifespan, and knowing when yours was installed and how long it's meant to last can save you from unexpected leaks, costly repairs, and even catastrophic failures.
a gray house with white shutters is covered in snow
By NRB Roof Pros December 15, 2023
This guide will walk you through six common winter-induced roofing issues, providing you with prevention tips and solutions that will help you maintain the health of your roof throughout the winter season.
More Posts
Share by: