Putting up exterior Christmas lights is a great way to decorate your home for the holidays in Calgary. However, you need to make sure that you’re doing it safely. That means taking the time to plan ahead and making sure that you don’t damage your roof. It’s also a good time to do a quick roof inspection.
Planing Ahead Is Always A Good Idea
Putting up exterior Christmas lights is an important part of the season’s festivities. Not only does it add sparkle and merriment to your home, but it can also draw attention to your business. If you want to ensure your decorations are properly installed, follow the tips below to avoid costly mistakes.
First, figure out the power requirements for the lights. Use a GFCI-protected outlet if possible. These outlets protect you against possible electrocution, and are designed for environments where contact with water can occur.
Next, measure your home to determine how many lights you will need. Start from the top and work your way down. You’ll also want to make sure your ladder is level and secure. You would be surprised about the number of Canadians that hurt themselves while putting up Christmas lights.
Reducing the chance of injury by have a friend, or voluntold family member help.
Finally, use the correct extension cords for your Christmas lights. Make sure they are designed for outdoor use. Avoid kinks or exposed wires.
Automate Your Christmas Lights
The most straightforward way to automate your exterior Christmas lights is with an outlet timer. This allows you to set up schedules with intervals as short as every 15 minutes. This way, you can reduce energy costs and eliminate the risk of forgetting to turn off your lights.
Another easy way to automate your lights is with smart plugs. These plugs allow you to set up a light schedule and then control your lights with voice commands. Many plugs work with Alexa and Google Assistant. You can then schedule your lights to turn on or off at specific times of the day or on specific days of the week. For more info on how to automate your light, have a look at this article.
Hanging Christmas Lights Improperly Can Damage Your Roof.
Putting up exterior Christmas lights is a festive time of year, but there are plenty of hazards to be aware of and easy ways you can damage your roof.
You should absolutely never hang your lights by nailing, stapling, or other methods that puncture your roof (unless you know what you’re doing). The tiniest hole in your roofing system can cause water damage and rot.
The best way to put up exterior Christmas lights is by using clips. Clips can be purchased specifically for your roof system or even be stuck on your house. If you feel really adventurous, there are plenty of people who have come up with the “perfect” solution by making installing Christmas lights easier each year. Keep in mind, they do take a lot of work the first year.
Inspect Your Roof When Putting up Christmas Lights.
Regular roof inspections are a good idea. If you’re already on a ladder installing Christmas lights, then it is a perfect time to do a quick inspection of your roof. Quick things you can check for are if you have proper drip edge. Granule loss, cracks, and also your gutter system.
If you have not cleaned your gutters out, yet, it’s a good time to do so if the weather is a bit warmer outside. Clogged gutters can cause a host of issues for your roof in winter, especially ice dams. If you do find a concern that warrants a second look, make sure to contact us for a proper roof inspection.
Conclusion
Hanging Christmas lights can be a chore to do. It can also be a festive experience. Follow our steps to make sure you stay safe by planning ahead; avoid damaging your roof; and doing a quick inspection, so you can prevent unseen costs in the future. If you do find problems with your roof, please reach out to us, so we can do a proper roof inspection.
