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Are you one of those people who cannot wait for the holiday season? If the answer is yes, time passes much harder.
Well, do not focus all your attention on it. You will have the chance to relax very soon. Even if it is just a couple of months before the holidays, find inspiration on how to prep your home.
Transform your house into a show-stopping wonderland. With a touch of creativeness, you can get the roof ready for the holiday season in no time.
It may be a good idea to take into consideration these tips when decorating the outside of your home for that time of the year.
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Clean the Roof Before You Get Started
Preventing decorating accidents is not much of a hard thing if you clean the rooftop beforehand.
Make sure to clear away the dirt, leaves, debris, and other materials that could present a slipping and tripping hazard. Use a sprayer that is attached to a garden hose. This is the best way to spruce up the roof. Clean the roof only if it is a calm day when the wind is not blowing and there are no signs of rain.
If you are hiring a professional, make sure to get references. Ask neighbors who have had their roofs cleaned not long ago.
Having an annual inspection will let you know if there is any damage on top of the home. Hire a local roofer and prevent unpleasant situations.
If you are curious to know what is included in a roof inspection, find out that it implies a visual survey, leak analysis, roof CAD, and, of course, communication. Communication, as well as reliability, are the two most important things when it comes down to forming a bond with the roofing contractor.
Have an inspection conducted before the holidays and rest assured that it is in perfect working order.
Use an Efficient Ladder
As a rule, only a professional roofing contractor should go up the roof. During the cold years of the month, the top of the building is cold, slick, not to mention dangerous. If you have your mind set on doing things yourself, nobody and nothing will stop you from decorating the roof yourself.
Use a ladder that is tall enough to bring you to the desired height and does not crack under your weight – in other words, a ladder that will safely put you at the desired height.
There is an inherent danger when doing work involving heights. Falls are what you need to worry about.
It is paramount to place the ladder on a dry level surface. This way, you do not risk slipping. If you absolutely must go up the roof, even the ground with the help of leg levelers.
Some ladders are sold together with extensions that do a great job when it comes down to uneven ground situations.
It is not uncommon for people to fall off ladders, which means that you need to be careful. It is recommended to get a helper. They can assist you prep and decorate the roof for the holiday season.
Do Not Staple the Outdoor Lights, Protect Them
If you own a heavy-duty stapler, you might be tempted to use it to secure the outdoor lights. This is a big mistake because the staples will damage your shingles. More exactly, the staples affect the shingles, which in turn leads to cracking and denting.
Attention should be paid to the fact that the smallest hole in the shingles is enough to let water seep in. If you continue to staple lights on the roof, you will significantly reduce its lifespan. Using a staple gun is not the best way to secure the decorations in place.
Fortunately, there are countless other options you can resort to when it comes down to installing beautiful holiday lights. For instance, you can attach the decorations along your gutters by using plastic clips specially made for this kind of project.
The clips will hold the light strand and the extension cord. At the end of the holiday season, all you have to do is to take off the lights without damaging the rooftop. Make sure to not put too much weight on the gutters.
Gear Up for Safety
Roof accidents are not only common, they are some of the most dangerous ones. Devastating accidents can take place, so you must gear up for safety. This means wearing personal protective equipment for fall prevention such as harnesses and lanyards.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that the roof is a safe zone. Have the right wardrobe and safety gear. If you need the safety equipment for a limited amount of time, you should better rent it. Start the job with everything you need. Do not climb up the roof with more tools than you need.
Most importantly, check the lights to make sure that they work. It is your number one priority before decorating.
If you happen to notice that the lights have cracks in them or the wires are exposed, throw them away immediately. Do not attempt to be a holiday hero.
If you have never gone up the roof before, it is not a good idea to hang the decorations yourself. You risk hurting yourself.
Finally yet importantly, do not even think about using inflatables, as they can be dangerous. So, even if you want to have Santa’s legs spreading out of the chimney, you ought to use other types of decorations that do not damage the roof.
The roof is not built as a weight-bearing structure. The damage might not be noticeable at first, but it will be evident when you have to replace the roof.
Children do not get all the fun for the holidays. If you are a creative homeowner, you can transform your house into a spending view. With a little bit of planning and some helpful tips, your home will be the talk of the neighborhood.
Make sure you survive until the holiday season.
