What to Look For on Your Roof When Hanging Christmas Lights

Hanging Christmas lights is a holiday tradition and also one of the only times you’re close enough to your roof to see what’s really going on up there. Before you climb back down the ladder, take a minute to check for a few things that might save you trouble later this winter.

Here are the top signs to look for while you’re putting up your lights:

1. Missing or Loose Shingles: If you can see any shingles lifting up, curling, cracked, or completely missing, that’s a red flag. Winter wind, snow, and ice will make that problem worse fast. A small repair now can prevent leaking inside your home later.

2. Sagging Spots: Your roofline should look straight and even. If anything looks dipped or wavy, that could be a sign of moisture damage, weakening roof decking, or too much weight from past snow/ice.

3. Granules in the Gutters: When you’re clipping lights to the gutter, take a peek inside.

If you see a lot of dark, sand-like grit, that means your shingles are wearing down. It’s common on older roofs, but it’s also a sign it might be time to plan for repairs or replacement.

4. Damaged or Rusted Flashing: Flashing is the metal around chimneys, vents, and edges.

If it’s bent, rusted, lifted, or missing screws, water has an easy path to get inside. Winter weather only makes flashing problems worse.

5. Clogged or Pulling Gutters: If your gutters are full of leaves or look like they’re pulling away from the house, fix that ASAP. When snow hits, clogged gutters turn into ice dams — and ice dams lead to leaks, damaged shingles, and interior water issues.

When in Doubt, Have It Checked

Hanging lights is supposed to be fun, not stressful but if you notice anything that doesn’t look right while you’re up there, it’s better to catch it now before winter storms roll in.