It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and forget to take care of your roof! Whether you’re just imagining a few tasteful strands of lights or are considering going full Clarke Griswold, there’s a right way and a wrong way to attach Christmas decorations to your roof.
Here’s what your friends at Accent Roofing want you to know about decorating your roof for Christmas without having to pay for it in the spring.
Choose Your Décor Wisely
Some decorations simply shouldn’t be on your roof. That full-size Santa sleigh (with eight fiberglass reindeer) might look festive, but it’s murder on the structural stability of your roof. Putting decorations that are too heavy on your roof can cause you to need to replace it earlier than you might have otherwise.
You should also never put anything in or around your chimney, like that cute pair of Santa’s “stuck” legs. This isn’t just bad for your roof, it’s dangerous if you plan to use your fireplace! And while inflatables might seem like the perfect compromise, know that a strong gust of wind can easily pick them up and carry them off, wreaking havoc on the ground below and on the roof components they were attached to.
Use the Right Attachments
The foremost rule of attaching anything to your roofing structure is to avoid puncture holes. Never, ever use staples or nails to attach anything to your roof, no matter how small. This can allow water to permeate the layers of your roof and eventually end up inside your home! It also decreases the energy efficiency of your HVAC system, which relies on an air-controlled attic space.
Choose gentle plastic clips to attach decorations to your eaves, not your roof. Never force a clip in place – if you meet resistance, rethink it. You can hold certain decorations in place with sand bags or high-tensile cord, but we don’t recommend going up on your roof yourself. It’s dangerous up there! When in doubt, ask a professional roofer to help you install your décor.
Know Your Roof
No two roofs are exactly alike which means no two roofs can handle the exact same decorations. It’s important to keep any décor items on your roof away from anything else nearby: chimneys and electrical lines can pose a fire hazard while tree branches or other large objects can cause direct damage to your roof or other parts of your house.
If your roof is steeply pitched at more than 45 degrees? Rethink resting any decorations on the roof itself. Is your roof ageing? All the more reason to avoid putting any unnecessary strain on it. Missing shingles? You don’t need Christmas decorations, you need a roofing inspection.
It’s always better to hang your holiday decorations from your roof’s auxiliary components than from the roof materials themselves. While your gutters may look prime for attaching lights and inflatables, they’re actually very sensitive. Too much weight can cause them to bend or become detached (and you might not find out there’s a problem until the first big storm!) Your yard is a far, far better place for outdoor decorations than your roof, and it’s easier to take them down that way come January.
When’s the last time you had your roof inspected?
Reach out to Accent today for your free, on-site inspection. Winter appointments book up fast!
770-769-1808
