While holiday decorations are beautiful to
look at and a bit of a pain to take down after the holiday season, the
potential damage to your roof is reason enough to take the decorations down in
a timely manner. Continue reading to learn how leftover holiday decorations
can hurt your roof.
Too
Much Weight
Your roof is not meant to handle the extra weight
on top of it. If you leave up lights and other decorations on your gutters and
shingles for a long period of time, your roof will not be able to withstand the
additional pressure. Lights on the gutters can eventually pull down your
gutters from your roof. Decorations on top of the shingles can lead to
structural damage and harm the integrity of your roof. Over time, a hole could
be created, which could then lead to other damage.
Holes
Can Lead To Damage
If you put up lights and other decorations
without proper fasteners but instead use nails, you have created holes in your
gutters, shingles, or other roofing materials. These holes open the gateway to
moisture entering your roof. This moisture can lead to leaks, mold, or mildew.
Over time, this water damage will harm the integrity of your home and the
health of your family.
Fire
Hazard
If you keep your lights up for a substantial
amount of time and your circuits overload, the bulbs could blow and cause your
roof to catch on fire. House fires are extremely dangerous so to keep yourself
and your family safe, prevent fire hazards by removing your electrically powered lights quickly after the holidays.
Rips
& Tears
Inflatables are fun holiday decorations to
spread holiday joy. Often, they are placed on the ground but they can be used
on the roof. However, inflatables need to be tied and pinned down. If there are
strong winds, the inflatables can be blown away. When the wind picks up the
inflatable, shingles can easily rip and tear. This then leaves your roof
susceptible to additional damage.
Leftover holiday decorations might bring a
bit of cheer when you arrive home, but can also lead to damage to your roof
and home. If you see any problem areas while taking down your holiday
decorations, it's time to call a roofing professional. Our team at Roof It
Forward can perform a free video inspection to analyze your roof, show you
proof of any concerning spots and explain any necessary repairs. Schedule your
free roofing inspection today.
