There’s nothing like driving through a neighborhood where all the houses are neatly outlined in twinkly lights. It takes careful planning to get the lights all on so they look straight and even. And it takes even more care to hang them without doing any damage to your roof shingles.
Hang the Lights Safely
Many homeowners enjoy hanging the lights themselves; it’s part of the holiday tradition. But it can be dangerous, so be careful! Here are a few tips for hanging holiday lights in ways that prevent damage to your shingles. It’s not a bad idea to call a KC roofing company for advice or help; many roofing companies provide this service along with other roofing services in Kansas City.
Tips to Prevent Roof Damage
#1. Don’t poke any holes! Whatever you do, don’t nail anything to any part of the roof. It’s especially important not to pound nails through the shingles. Holes weaken shingles and allow water to get in underneath. This will not only cause structural damage in the future, but it may also negate your warranty if you should ever need to file a claim. The “no holes” philosophy applies to guttering too.
#2. Use plastic gutter clips. Many manufacturers make specialized clips for holiday lights that attach snugly to the guttering without damaging it. Where there are no gutters, these fasteners can be attached to the drip edge or the shingle – as long as you don’t lift the shingle too far. You can also use adhesive strips to attach the clips to the house’s vertical face, keeping the clips away from the shingles altogether.
#3. Buy the right kind of clip. Not all clips are created equal, and the style you choose may determine the success of your holiday light-hanging extravaganza. There are several types available; some are better than others in specific scenarios.
- Basic hooks. Basic hooks clip over the edge of the gutter. The string of lights then runs through the clips. This type of hook doesn’t provide a very tight hold and may not work well in windy conditions.
- Hooks that clip to the string of lights. Some hooks provide a firmer hold on the lights by attaching to the light string itself. These hooks also clip to the edges of the gutters for installation. They’re great for holding rope lights, icicle lights, or other lights that don’t have individual bulbs that need to be oriented a certain way.
- Hooks that clip to the bulb. This hook is the one you want if you’re lining all your bulbs up neatly and evenly, all pointing the same direction. The catch here is that you need to do a little advance planning before you buy the clips. Decide which direction you want your bulbs to point – up or down – and purchase the correct clip for the job. You’ll also need to know the diameter of the bulbs you’re using, so measure that before you go shopping. Once you’ve bought the right-sized clips, you can attach them to the house by hooking them on the edges of the gutter or the drip edge on the roof, and then fasten to each bulb.
- Hooks that clip to the roof peak. These clips are most often used by professionals – either a Kansas City roofing company or experienced light hangers. These clips grip the edges of the shingles along the roof peak. A KC roofing company can help with this. They have experience getting up to the roof peak safely, walking around, and fastening lights without doing any damage.
Looking for Roofing Services in Kansas City?
If you need advice before hanging your holiday lights this year, give us a call at Shamrock Roofing and Construction. We specialize in residential roofing services in Kansas City and have been advising customers on their roofing issues since 1977. We’d love to help you get your house ready for the holidays. Contact us today for more information or to get answers to your holiday light questions.