Preparing to Take Down Your Holiday Decorations
The holiday season has ended, and it is time to remove your Christmas lights. But how do you go about doing this safely and without damaging your roof? Taking down your lights can be more work than putting them up, and for many, it’s a task they avoid for as long as possible. The weather is cold, and getting up on a ladder is probably the last thing you want to do. However, getting them down as soon as possible is wise because the longer they stay up, the more likely they will become damaged or damage your roof.
Just as with putting up your lights, safety should always be your priority when removing holiday decorations. Keep reading for some helpful tips and how to recognize when you have a repair issue.
Tip #1: Make Sure the Weather Is Good
It's always wise to wait until the weather is good before attempting to remove Christmas lights from your roof. Rain, ice, and very cold temperatures can make it difficult and dangerous to be on your roof. Additionally, even though your decorations are rated for outdoor use, because they are electrical, you want to avoid working with them when it is wet outside. If your lights have become damaged and you try to remove them in wet, inclement weather, you run the risk of electrical shock.
Always wait for a dry, sunny day before beginning this task to avoid accidents or damage to your roof.
Tip #2: Have Someone Help You
Working on a roof can be dangerous, and having an extra set of hands to help out can make the job much easier. Taking down your A second person can help keep the ladder stable, hold lighting fixtures in place, and alert you to any potential hazards that may be present. For these reasons, it's worth having someone by your side when taking down outdoor holiday decorations - it'll help keep everyone safe and make the process faster and smoother.
Tip #3: Avoid Walking on Your Roof When Possible
Walking on your roof is not only dangerous but also bad for the structural integrity of your roof. Especially in the winter, it's easy to slip or lose your balance and injure yourself when walking on a shingled surface. With increased rains in Arizona during January and February, your roof is more likely to be slippery.
Furthermore, the more you walk on your roof, the more likely you will damage it. If you have a tile roof, you risk cracking or breaking the clay tiles. Meanwhile, if you have an asphalt roof, you can cause granule loss and other damage. And regardless of the type of roof you have, the stress of someone walking around on it can cause the roof’s structure to weaken.
When it comes to walking on your roof, it is best to avoid it as much as possible or leave the work to the professionals. If you must walk on your roof to remove holiday decorations, pay close attention to where you are walking, and limit it as much as possible.
Signs You Need to Call for Professional Roof Repair
While removing your Christmas lights or other holiday décor, pay attention to what you see going on with your roof. If you notice that your decorations have caused roof damage or you see other issues, call Lyons Roofing for a professional roof inspection. Phoenix and Tucson receive most of their rain in January and February, and as such, any repair problems should be fixed as quickly as possible. Doing so can help ensure that small issues are corrected before they turn into major problems, including serious roof leaks.
If your roof was damaged by holiday decorations, give Lyons Roofing a call. Our professional roof repair team can assess the issue and provide you with your repair options.
