Ask the Architect

Decorating can do damage

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Q. This may be a silly question, but I have to ask. My son put Christmas decorations up on our roof last year. We enjoyed them — until we realized last month that he put a lot of holes in our shingles with nails and screws. What should we do, after we have the shingles fixed, to put up the lights? The kids really love them too much for us to not have them this year. Help!

A. The first problem is how to repair shingles with holes in them, and did you consider the holes in the paper below the shingles? Damaged shingles should be replaced, not filled with tar or silicone. Tar paper or rubberized membrane should be placed under the shingles first. If the roof is a low slope, or you’re pulling up a larger area, use sticky-backed, rubbery membrane, called “ice and water shield,” throughout. It grips nails without leaving holes.

This job, like many, should be done with care and knowledge. You have too much to lose by doing it incorrectly. Hire an experienced roofer to make repairs, and do it in warm weather. As for mounting decorations on your roof, depending on the weight, size and anchor requirements, it’s best to run anchor lines that are attached from under the eaves of your roof rather than put any holes in your roof. Thin wire or nylon string, even fishing line, is better than nailing into your roof.

The thought of damaging shingles, especially in winter, when we get snow, ice, melting water pooling up and seepage, is chilling. No roofer I know wants to go up on an icy roof in a brisk wind to repair your roof, at least not without combat pay. Battling the elements is just no fun. I’ve never put decorations on a roof and don’t recommend it, although I enjoy those slapstick comedies in which someone always ends up falling head-first into a snow bank in the yard.

Make sure to check all lights and decorations for certification labeling attesting to their safety. Electrical hazards on roofs are all too common when wires, outlets, bulbs or any products of this type are misused or not installed carefully, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Remember that freezing rain and snow can bury everything. Consider that your wiring and lights may be submerged under water when we get heavy snow that suddenly turns to rain. Don’t make it necessary for your fire department to have to go out in terrible weather and be subjected to wind and cold because someone didn’t think about exposing wiring to water. Make sure that you use ground fault interrupt, or GFI, outlets that will cut off power at the first sign of a short. The life, property and holiday you save may be your own, not to mention someone else’s. Have a wonderful holiday season, one and all, and enjoy the festival of lights! Ho, ho, ho!

© 2016 Monte Leeper. Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.