When you think of holiday season decorations, twinkling outdoor lights come to mind.  Before climbing up on the roof there are some important things to keep in mind when decorating your roof line.

Plan ahead!  Planning your project is important to an appealing and safe display.  After you decide on the look you want, measure carefully and be sure to get all the supplies you need to save time and hassle later.  Check your lights before you get on the roof.  Make sure they work and look for broken lights and exposed wire as this could be a fire hazard.  Choose light strings made for outdoor  use.  Plan how you will string the lights together and keep in mind that too many lights on one power source could also be a fire hazard.  Check the manufacturers safety instructions and take note of installation instructions and placement near other decorations.

The best place to hang lights is your gutters, but if you have to attach them to your roof, there are good clips that can be purchased in most holiday decorating departments.  These will allow you to attach the lights to your roof without damaging the shingles.  Clips can attach to gutters or slide under the shingles and secure to the roof edge.  NEVER staple or nail into your shingles!  This will leave a small hole where water will penetrate and cause damage to the roof and wood.  Clips are inexpensive compared to repairing or replacing a roof damaged by nails or staples and are easily removed and reused.

Some homeowners or contractors will install a new layer of shingles over the old one to save time or money.  Most roofing contractors do not recommend this for several reasons.  In some areas building codes don’t allow this. The homeowner or contractor should always check with the city, township, etc. before installing shingles over old ones.  By not removing the old shingles, the contractor cannot see if there are other problems underneath such as rotten or missing wood.  Removing the old layer also allows access to install new protective membranes to keep the roof watertight.  Shingles installed on each other often tend to buckle.  Doubling the roofing layer adds significant weight that the roof structure may not be designed to withstand.  While not removing the old layer may save time and money initially, the lifespan of the roof is drastically reduced and will need to be replaced sooner.  Most roofing manufacturers will not cover warranty claims when their materials are installed over old.

Craig Gouker Roofing has been installing quality residential roofing in South East Pittsburgh since 1991 and is the expert in shingle roof replacement.
www.craiggoukerroofing.com     (412)664-7679

For more information on purchasing a new shingle roof.  Check out our Roof Replacement Buyers' Guide on our Resources Page.