3 Tips for Installing Seasonal Décor on Your Commercial Roof
It’s common for homeowners to put up lights and other décor to celebrate the holiday season. Commercial property owners can also follow suit, though installing commercial seasonal décor may require a few extra steps and precautions.
Whether you want to deck out your property like the Griswold House or install a few modest string lights, you should always follow these three essential steps.
1. Clean & Inspect Your Roof
Before you put up any roof décor, make sure you thoroughly inspect your roof. Generally, it’s best practice to have your roof inspected at least twice per year—once in the spring and again in the fall to ensure any damage incurred during the warmer months can be repaired before winter. We suggest having your roof professionally inspected so any damage can be properly identified and corrected before installing any décor.
In addition to inspecting your roof, you should also be sure all debris, including leaves, snow, and ice, is removed before installing commercial seasonal décor.
2. Ensure Your Decorations Are Properly Secured
Next, any roof décor that’s not properly secured to the roof is just begging for trouble. Even a small gust of wind can lift lightweight decorations. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to secure roof décor.
Always refrain from using nails and staples, which have the potential to damage the roof. Instead, use proper fasteners to keep decorations in place. Furthermore, keep an eye on your decorations during windy days to ensure they are not at risk of blowing away. If need be, don’t hesitate to reinforce decorations with more fasteners.
3. Pay Attention to Voltage
Lastly, not all holiday décor is designed for outdoor use. This is especially true when it comes to lights. Here’s a look at some tips when it comes to hanging holiday lights from your commercial roof or gutters:
- Always use low-heat and energy-efficient LED bulbs rather than incandescent ones.
- Make sure your lights are designed explicitly for outdoor use.
- Make sure you hang lights with roof fasteners or gutter clips rather than nails. As previously mentioned, nails can cause roofing damage, but they can also cause damage to light wiring.
- Always turn off any holiday lights or other decorations when your business is not in operation (e.g., after weekday business hours or over the weekend)
- Although the National Electric Code requires all outdoor outlets to be GFCI, double-check that your outdoor outlet is a GFCI. You want to be sure that all outdoor lights are plugged into a GFCI outlet.
- Make sure you understand voltage requirements and any limitations.
Which Roof Decorations Should You Avoid?
While it can be natural to splurge on a variety of decorations to help spread holiday cheer, there are specific roof décor that you should avoid. Specifically, avoid putting anything on your roof meant for lawns, like inflatables or light-up trees. Inflatables are lightweight and can easily blow away, and other light-up décor meant for ground level tends to be heavy and can place excess weight on your roof. It’s always fun to decorate around the holidays, but you never want it to be done at the expense of your roof.
Taking Down Decorations
When it’s time to take down seasonal décor, it should be done in a way that doesn’t damage the roof. Typically, the décor is easier coming down than it is going up, but you still need to be careful. Remove any fasteners one at a time rather than trying to pull them out all at once. The same goes for any plastic clips you used to secure lights along the roof line or gutters. Make sure that you pick a nice day so that you can take your time safely removing the lights. If you’re uncomfortable installing or taking down any seasonal décor, we suggest working with a professional.
Have Questions? Contact Summit Commercial Roofing
Whether you need to ensure your roof is in good condition before installing commercial seasonal décor or you’re looking for a professional to perform routine inspections, Summit Commercial Roofing is here to help. Serving businesses throughout Southeast Michigan, we specialize in commercial roof inspections/maintenance, installations, replacements, and repairs. Contact us today to schedule your inspection.
