Hang the Lights Without Hurting the Roof!

As the seasons turn and the temps transition to cooler weather, many Texas homeowners are taking advantage of the final days of fall by proactively hanging their holiday lights for the season. While exterior lighting casts a warm, festive glow over the neighborhood, this family tradition can turn into a dangerous endeavor without proper planning. Not only that, but you can easily damage your roof if you’re not careful — and that leads to problems later on!

When it’s time to hang the lights, take a cue from Shamrock Roofing and Construction, a trusted choice for roofing in McKinney, TX. We’ve created this list of tips and tricks to help you safely navigate this holiday chore. Read on to learn more about installation, removal, and keeping your roof in top shape for light-hanging each season.

Work in Pairs

It may seem obvious, but it’s never a good idea to get on the rooftop alone. Whether you’re watching a local roofing contractor do a free roof inspection before the decorating begins, or you’re ready to start on the installation project, you should always have a spotter present. Rooftop accidents happen every year, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Go Plastic

Selecting the proper tools and equipment for holiday light installation is of primary concern for many homeowners in roofing in McKinney, TX. If this is a project you’ve never done before, you may not be aware of all the hardware that’s available to help do the job correctly.

We recommend using plastic clips to hold the lights in place, rather than nails or staples. While more heavy-duty equipment does a great job of securing the lights, it can also damage your roof during installation and removal. Plastic is a safer alternative, and it’s easily located at your local hardware store!

Be Gentle With Your Shingles

Naturally, many homeowners will use the shingle grit as a source of stabilization while on the roof. However, this common mistake can result in bent and broken shingles and, ultimately, damage to the tar line. The tar line is the glue that keeps the structure together. Use caution when walking on the roof or when using a ladder to hang your lights. If you’re worried, search “roofing services near me” and give us a call. We can help you navigate the process while keeping your roofing granules intact! 

Another point to mention here. Never fasten the lights by driving nails or staples through your shingles. This is a guaranteed way to get moisture under the roof, leading to leaks later on.

Don’t Get Lazy With Removal

Once the holidays have passed and it’s time to put away the holiday decor, it can be tempting to take shortcuts and give your lights a yank. While this may seem like an effective strategy and a short-term timesaver, it can actually damage your roof (and your lights) in the long run. Shamrock Roofing suggests avoiding a headache down the road by spending a little extra time removing the lights gently and storing them properly for next year’s use. 

Call a Professional

Of course, if you’re not a do-it-yourself type of homeowner, you can always enlist the help of a professional. Simply Google “roofing services near me,” and you’ll find a host of experts on roofing in McKinney, TX. Our team at Shamrock Roofing and Construction would love to be the go-to for all your roof-lighting needs. We also offer free roof inspections so you can see just what your roof needs this holiday season.  Visit our website today!