With the holiday season upon us, you might be feeling the itch to break out those strings of twinkling lights. But don’t get so carried away with the holiday spirit that safety precautions fall by the wayside!

If you are planning on getting on your roof to install Christmas lights, here are a few things you should keep in mind to keep yourself and your roof safe!

Before You Begin

• Untangle strands of lights to save you time and effort while on the roof.
• Check your lights for bad bulbs, frayed wires, or lights that flicker before hanging them. These could be signs of electrical damage, which poses a potential fire hazard.
• Use extension cords rated for outdoor use.
• Ensure that your ladders are in good condition and that you set them on flat, solid ground.
• When hanging lights directly from a ladder, try not to extend beyond the natural reach of your arm.

An excellent question to consider while implementing your holiday decoration plan is, “Would Clark Griswold do this?” Generally, if the answer is yes, do not proceed—especially when it comes to stapling lights to your roof.

How to Not Damage Your Roof

The best way to hang holiday lights is by stringing them through plastic clips attached to your shingles, gutters, and eaves. Plastic clips designed for use with holiday lights are easy to install and remove, affordable, and readily available at most home improvement or large retail stores.

Using plastic clips instead of traditional nails or staples will prevent you from puncturing your shingles or gutters. Even the tiniest hole in a shingle can allow moisture to seep in and potentially damage the roof. Using nails or staples can also puncture the wires of your lights, or wear down their insulating coating, possibly causing electrical problems.

• Don’t overload your roof. Before you land Santa’s sleigh up there, look into options that don’t weigh as much. Consider a high-quality plastic facade instead. They can be as detailed as you like and weigh significantly less.
• Consider your lawn. Think about decorating your yard 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.

Christmas is a season of festivity and celebration! Have fun with your decorations, but make sure that it’s not at the expense of your roof—or you might end up on Santa’s naughty list.

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Missing roof shingles are relatively common, especially here in Waxahachie with the amount of severe weather we see each year. While one or two may not seem like a big deal, it’s actually a sign that your roof needs an inspection ASAP. What happens if you ignore missing shingles on your roof? It leads to expensive roof problems like:

• Roof leaks
• Water damage to your attic and ceiling
• Mold and bacteria growth
• Full roof replacement

If you have noticed your roof is missing shingles, read on to learn what steps to take now to avoid these expensive repairs!

Is One Missing Shingle Really A Big Deal?

When it comes to a fully functioning roof, every shingle counts! Even one missing shingle can lead to roof leaks and expensive repairs. 

Roof shingles are installed in a particular way using an overlapping, layered pattern. That means each row of shingles overlaps on the other rows. This pattern helps reduce water’s ability to enter the roof system because no part of the underlying roof deck is exposed. 

However, if one shingle goes missing, it can destroy the entire pattern of shingles. Over time, the area of damage gets bigger and bigger. That is why it is essential to get a roof inspection ASAP if you see signs of roof damage, including missing shingles. 

Will A Missing Shingle Lead To A Roof Leak?

When it comes to missing roof shingles, it is not a question of if it will leak, but when. 

If one goes missing, more usually follow. Once water can enter your roof it spreads, often damaging an area 6-8 feet from the original location. The damage will continue to get worse over time and double or triple the cost of repairs. 

What Causes Missing Roof Shingles? 

A leading cause of shingle damage is wind – and it doesn’t have to be as strong as you might think. In fact, wind speeds as low as 45 mph can cause shingles to lift and fly off. 

High winds do not hit the roof’s surface evenly. Usually, damage starts at a corner or edge of a shingle. High winds can get under the shingle and lift it. When this happens, the sealant underneath the shingle breaks and opens your roof up to leaks. High winds also create a vacuum effect and loosen the nails. Over time, it can cause the shingle to curl, split, or even crack. 

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Missing Shingles?

A common question we get from homeowners is, “will homeowners insurance cover missing shingles to my roof.” The answer is that it depends on what initially caused the damage. 

Most (but not all) insurance policies cover the cost of damage when the cause was an unforeseen or unplanned event. Severe weather is an excellent example because people cannot control when and where storms hit. If a storm damages your home, your insurance company will likely cover the cost to repair/replace anything damaged.

What is usually not covered is neglect or lack of maintenance. For example, let’s say your roof is missing shingles due to a wind storm that occurred a year ago. Since that time, multiple leaks have developed that lead to interior water damage. The cost to replace the shingles might be covered by the interior damage may not. Homeowners’ insurance policies typically require routine maintenance to be performed. Had the missing shingles been replaced after the damage occurred, the interior water damage would have never happened. 

That’s one reason why getting a professional roof inspection early is so important! 

What Can You Do To Protect Your Home?

The single best way to ensure your roof and home are protected is to get a professional roof inspection at least once a year or after every major storm. Homeowners should also routinely check their roof and look for missing roof shingles, discoloration, unevenness, and other signs of damage. You can do this by simply looking up at your roof and walking the perimeter of your home.

If you think you have a roof problem, get in touch with our expert team today. Our inspections are always free, and we pride ourselves on fast, friendly service. We can usually schedule inspections within 24 hours of your request, so don’t hesitate to call us at 972-723-8463 or use our online contact form to get in touch with us! 

Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more tips on the best ways to take care of your roof and home! 

If you think you might have a roof leak or storm damage, your first thought may be to do a quick search for “roof repair near me” to get help. But what does the roof inspection process look like, and how long will it take? We created this blog to give you answers to those questions and more! 

When To Get A Roof Inspection

Homeowners often assume that roofing contractors only help those that have an active roof leak. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! We suggest homeowners use us as preventative maintenance and get a roof inspection at least once per year. 

Do you need an inspection now? Answer the following questions to find out!

• Are you selling your home and need to know if your roof is damaged or if your home will pass inspection?
• Are you buying a home and need to know if a roof is in good condition?
• Has your home been recently impacted by hail or wind storms?
• Are you seeing signs of damage like missing shingles or stains on your ceiling?  

If you answered “yes” to any of these common questions, then a roof inspection is likely needed soon! 

What To Know Before You Schedule A Roof Inspection

Depending on your home’s size, the entire roof inspection process could take anywhere from 45-60 minutes. In most cases, a roof inspection includes a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior, rooftop, and your home’s attic. If any active roof leaks have led to stains on the ceiling or interior damage, we will inspect that as well. 

What Do Roof Inspectors Look For?

A common misconception from homeowners is that we only inspect the actual roof. In reality, several components of a home work together to keep the entire roof system functional. Those often include gutters, siding, ventilation, insulation, etc. and are all part of our top to bottom inspection process. 

Roof Inspection From Outside

Roof Time will perform a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior from the ground and from the roof itself. We look at the following areas for damage:

• We check roof eaves, soffit, and overhangs for signs of rot or insect infestation/damage
• Gutters are checked for clogs and drainage 
• We check all roof valleys for debris buildup and damage
• Missing shingles and storm damage is common on the slope, so we check each area thoroughly 
• All roof components (vents, pipes, fans, etc.) don’t last forever, and we’ll check each one for damaged or cracked seals
• Roof flashing is known to crack and rust, so we’ll check all areas to ensure it is in good condition
• We look at all shingles for storm damage, including wind uplift 

Roof Inspection From Inside 

The exterior of your home only tells half the story when it comes to your roof. To fully understand your roof’s condition, we also go into the attic as part of our normal roof inspection process. Here’s what we check for:

• Signs of light that would indicate a hole or roof damage
• Mold or water damage on the insulation and structural components of the roof
• Symptoms of a pest infestation
• Proper attic ventilation
• Proper insulation levels 

Why Choose Roof Time General Contractors

If you think you might have a roof problem, you need help from a local roofing company you can trust, and fast! Googling “roofer near me” will give you hundreds of options… So how do you know who to choose? 

• Choose a roofing company that has a local office – this helps protect you from scams
• Go with someone with a proven track record – read their online reviews!
• Make sure your roofer has training and certifications – check their website! 

You’ll find all of these things and more when you choose Roof Time General Contractors for your next roof inspection. Our #1 goal is to be a trusted resource for Waxahachie homeowners in need of roof repairs, storm damage help, or full roof replacement. Get in touch with us today by calling 972-723-8463 or use our online form. 

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