Christmas: it’s the most wonderful time of the year! For many of us it’s time to begin stringing the lights and decorating our homes. Many Americans enjoy watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation every Christmas season. In this classic slap stick comedy, Clark Griswold and his family can be oddly relatable in some scenes. Clark Griswold’s home light display seemed oddly over the top for the time period. However, today decking the halls has gone to a new extreme in many neighborhoods. ABC even broadcasts the TV show, The Great Christmas Light Fight, in which, homeowners compete to win cash prizes & a coveted trophy based on their exterior home decorating skills.
While we must admit we love taking in the beauty of a home well-decorated for Christmas, here at American Classic we also believe we would be amiss to share the important things to consider when decorating your home. It’s important to use proper safety precautions as well as take the necessary steps to avoid damaging any aspect of your homes exterior.
Here are our top 4 tips to properly hang Christmas Lights and avoid damaging your home:
1. Safety Always Comes First! Santa is the only one who should be climbing your roof. 164,000 people are injured from ladder falls every year. Also, keep in mind that walking on your roof can be damaging to the shingles causing deterioration of the protective granules. If you’re not accustom to walking a roof, your chances of falling increase. Please use extreme caution, wear tennis shoes with a good grip, and be sure to have a helper present. Speaking of helpers, Santa never works alone without an elf. Find a helper to hold your ladder in place, hand up supplies, and possibly offer some reassurance and/or inspiration along the way.
2. Save the staples for your office. Clark Griswold famously stapled over 6,000 lights to his home. Put down the staple gun! Using staples or any other penetrating fastener to secure your lights to your roof is never a good idea. Penetrations made through your roofing materials will lead to damaging leaks. There are many plastic light clips designed to hold lights securely on shingles and gutters.
3. Watch your weight. No, we are not talking about watching your waistline as you enjoy your favorite Christmas cookies. When loading your roof with displays and decorations, pay close attention to how heavy those items are. Displays hung here, there and everywhere on a roof can quickly overload your roof and begin to stress your shingles, supports, and other structures on your roof. If you begin second guessing how wise it is to decorate your roof, toss around the idea of decorating your lawn. The lawn is flat, easier and safer to decorate, and doesn’t pose any risk to your home.
4. Have Fun! Christmas decorating is a fun family activity, creates cherished memories for years to come, and makes your home stand out to passerbys enjoying your beautiful display.
Should you have any questions please contact us. We’d love to help you be sure that your homes exterior is secure. Also, we’d love to see your Christmas light creations!
Merry Christmas from the American Classic Team to your family! We wish you a Christmas filled with joy, laughter, and family!