Prepare Your Home’s Exterior for Holiday Decorating
Nov 30, 2021If you plan on decorating your home exterior for the holidays this year, Wendy Cline, J&B Construction owner, suggest the follow tips to protect yourself, your guests, and your home.
Avoid Using Nails or Staples to Hang Holiday Décor
Be sure to protect your gutters and siding when decorating your home with holiday lights and other décor. Never use nails, staples, or other sharp objects that can pierce your gutters, soffit, or siding. “On the surface, this type of damage may seem innocuous, but in time, it can result in serious, costly repairs,” said Wendy. “More specifically, it can lead to poor energy efficiency, water damage, and in some instances, the damage can be extensive enough to require gutter or siding replacement.”
Always Use Hooks
The safest way to hang your holiday decorations is with the use of removable plastic hooks. Ideal for hanging holiday lights, wreaths, signs, and more, hooks will ensure the structural integrity of your home’s exterior. “These types of hooks are inexpensive, easy to use, and best of all, they’re completely safe for your home,” Wendy said. “You’ll just need to make sure the hooks used are equipped to withstand the weight of your decorations. Alternatively, zip ties are another simple and safe option to consider.”
Ensure Proper Exterior Lighting for Guests
Not only are lights a festive way to decorate your home for the holidays, but they also significantly enhance safety for you and your guests. Be sure all of your home’s exterior lighting is fully operational and bright enough for your guests to safely navigate their way from their vehicles to your front door and back again. “Moreover, if the weather calls for it, be sure to properly and thoroughly clear and deice your driveway and all walkways to help prevent falls or other accidents,” she said.
Inspect While You Decorate
Although it’s advised to clean and examine a home’s gutters twice a year, decorating a home’s exterior for the holidays serves as yet another opportunity to inspect the gutter system as well as siding. “If you happen to notice damage or anything of concern as you decorate, be sure to arrange to have your home exterior inspected by a licensed exterior contractor as soon as possible in order to identify and address any issues before they worsen,” Wendy said.
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