Christmas Decorations Can Stress Your Roof — and You!

Christmas is coming, and it won’t be long before we’re setting out cookies and milk for Santa and bedding down with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads.

The presents are wrapped.  The food is ready.  And the house is decorated to beat the band.

But what about your roof?  Now is the time to think about whether the decorations you have planned will damage the roof over your head. Here are some tips to make sure that doesn’t happen.  Someone share with the Griswolds!

• Don’t Use Staples. Every time you put a staple into the shingles or other parts of your roof, you are making holes and gaps in the seals that keep out water. This means that moisture will be able to seep in.  While it might not be enough to cause water damage it can lead to mold and mildew growth and can allow air transfer, impacting heating bills during the winter months.
• Watch Your Weight. Before loading up your roof with a lot of displays and decorations, stop to consider how heavy those items are. Calculate the total weight. A small piece here and a few more over there can quickly add up to too much weight. Before you know it, you can begin to stress the shingles, supports, and other structures of your roof.  Not a good thing. Certain holiday decorations are more suited for roofs than others. A full-sized replica of Santa’s sleigh looks really cool, but it’s not recommended for most homes. That’s because the roof may not be reinforced with the proper weight-bearing structures. Over the course of the sleigh’s stay, it can cause damage to the roof. It may not be noticeable at first, but it may result in the need for a new roof later.
• Consider your lawn. Think about decorating your lawn instead of your roof. You can create a winter wonderland right at your front door, without worrying about potential damage to your roof.
• Hire a professional to install decorations. If you’re still set on decorating your roof for Christmas, look into hiring a professional. Like you should with any pro, ask for references and ask them if their roof was damaged from the decorations the year prior.

Need a roof inspection or consultation? Contact the roofing experts at Garrett Construction and Roofing.  We are Haag-Certified roofing inspectors and will inspect your roof for FREE.  We will assist you in determining if your roof repair might be covered under a warranty or help you file a claim with your home insurance. As professional roofers, we will ensure that all work is conducted safely and that, in this time of Coronavirus, you and your family are protected through appropriate social distancing and other protective measures. Go with Garrett.

Make an appointment today with Garrett!

GARRETT CONSTRUCTION AND ROOFING.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!