5 Tips for Hanging Holiday Lights
Tis the season to enjoy the glow of perfectly strung lights on your home. It’s not a secret that hanging up holiday lights can take a lot of work, but the efforts are worth it. However, homeowners should have good safety practices for hanging up lights and being on the roof.
Here are some tips for hanging holiday lights:
#1: Check your lights, power strips, and extensions
Before hanging your holiday lights, you should check your lights for problems. Inspect your lights for any exposed wires, as this could cause some serious problems. You’ll also want to plug in your lights to see if any bulbs are broken.
It’s also important to review manufacturer recommendations. There is a limit to the number of lights you can connect to each other. You’ll also want to double check that your holiday lights are appropriate for outdoor use.
Don’t forget to also check the power strips and cord extensions you are using. You don’t want to use indoor power strips and cord extensions meant for electronic devices. You’ll want to use power strips and cord extensions that are designed to handle inclement weather. This will prevent issues like circuit breakers tripping.
#2: Practice roof safety
If you’re only hanging lights from your roofline, then it may not be necessary to get on your roof. But some areas are inaccessible from a ladder, and you may need to get on your roof. If that’s the case, be sure to practice roof safety to avoid falling, causing injuries, or damaging your roof.
One common roof safety guideline is to not get on the roof if there is snow or ice. This could make the roof slick, which is hazardous to stand on. It’s best to try and hang holiday lights before it starts to snow.
#3: Know ladder safety
You will probably need to bring out your ladder to hang holiday lights from your gutter or roofline. Practicing ladder safety will help prevent injuries.
Some basic ladder safety rules include:
- Inspect the ladder for any defects (like loose screws or damaged rungs) before using.
- Set the ladder on a solid, flat surface.
- Always face the ladder and use both hands to descend and ascend.
- Use a 4-to-1 ratio. The base should be 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet of height.
- If you’re going to the roof, the ladder should extend at least 3 feet above the edge and be tied off at the top.
#4: Use light clips
Hammers and nails aren’t the safest way to hang up holiday lights, as they could damage your roof and lights. A safer alternative is all-purpose plastic light clips. You can use these to securely hang lights to your roof, gutters, railings, and more. Just make sure that all clips are facing the same way to ensure a smooth appearance.
Light clips are easy to remove and don’t cause any damage to your home. They are also reusable, so you can keep them for next year’s holiday lights.
#5: Evaluate roof quality
It’s a good idea to inspect your roof before hanging up holiday lights. You’ll want to look for signs of hail damage, leaks, or other types of damage. If you notice any of these problems, you should consider contacting the best residential siding contractors near you to fix the roof.
At Best Contracting, we believe that the best time to replace your roof is the moment you notice any damage. Leaving a damaged roof in place could lead to more expensive damage and repairs in the future. If you’re in the Lancaster, PA area, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free quote.
