8 Tips for Christmas Decorating Without Damaging Your Roof

by J&K Roofing | Nov 30, 2022 | Seasonal

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8 Tips for Christmas Decorating Without Damaging Your Roof

Holiday season is here! And that means it’s time to dust off your decorations and get your house ready for visitors and spreading holiday cheer.

But with this happy holiday season comes a reminder to prioritize safety while decorating your home. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there are around an average of 160 injuries each day of the holiday decorating season, and most of them are due to falls.

On top of being safe, your second priority should be preventing damage to your roof and home. So to help, we’ve pulled together a list of eight tips for decorating for Christmas without damaging your roof and home.

1. Use Clips for Holiday Lights

Plastic clips work well for hanging Christmas lights without causing any damage to your roof or gutters. They make holiday lights easy to install and remove, and they don’t require you to get on your roof.

2. Don’t Staple or Nail Your Shingles

Hang Christmas roof lights without damaging your roof by avoiding shortcuts like stapling or nailing any part of your home. Any hole in your shingles could lead to additional damage like water leaks, and they put you at greater risk of sustaining serious storm damage when nasty weather hits.

3. Protect Your Gutters

Your gutters serve an essential function of diverting water away from your home, so you want to make sure they’re always in functioning condition. This is especially important as we enter wintertime and experience heavy snowfall. Make sure you aren’t damaging your gutters by hanging your Christmas lights improperly or with the wrong materials.

4. Secure Inflatable Decorations

It’s not uncommon for homes in Colorado to be subject to heavy winds. As such, make sure any inflatable or lightweight decorations you’re installing are securely fastened with proper weights or by being tied to a secure structure. Do not, under any circumstances, secure your decorations with nails or staples!

5. Avoid Heavy Decorations

You also want to avoid the idea of any heavy decorations on your roof, gutters, and soffit/fascia boards. Adding unnecessary weight to these parts of your home opens you up to damage down the line. If you want to add some decorative flare to your roof beyond standard lights, opt for a sustainable decoration for your roof that is lightweight and will be secure throughout the season.

6. Be Mindful of Extension Cords

If you must use extension cords for your display, only use appropriate cords that are intended for use outside. Doing so will safeguard you from fire hazards. You also want to avoid using unnecessarily long cords that create tripping hazards.

7. Space Your Decorations Appropriately

When planning out your Christmas decorations on your roof, pay attention to where everything will be placed. Avoid any location near power lines and your chimney (fire hazards), tree branches (puncture damage), and your roof vents (blockage).

8. Try to Avoid Getting on Your Roof

When you’re thinking about how to hang lights without damaging your roof, it’s best to remove getting on your roof from the equation all together. Anytime you get on your roof, you’re putting yourself at risk of injury, and you may also be causing damage if you’re unfamiliar with your roof or unaware of potential problem areas.

Get a Roof Inspection Before Winter

As the seasons change and we turn toward the holidays and wintertime, it’s the perfect opportunity to have your roof professionally inspected to make sure you’re not at risk of damage. J&K Roofing can help with a free inspection of your entire roofing system before it’s too late and winter weather begins.

Give us a call at 303-425-7531 or schedule online here.

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Common Colorado Winter Roofing Problems & How to Deal With Them

by J&K Roofing | Mar 3, 2022 | Seasonal

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Common Colorado Winter Roofing Problems & How to Deal With Them

High Winds Can Damage Your Roof — Here's How to Prepare

Winter in Colorado can be one of the most peaceful times of the year. There’s no better place to be when it comes to getting out and enjoying the fresh powder!

But if your home isn’t properly prepared for the season, you may find yourself dealing with an unfortunate mix of problems that could lead to substantial winter roof damage.

To help you know what problems to look for with your Colorado winter roof—and how to deal with them—here’s a list of some of the most common winter roofing problems in Colorado.

Common Winter Roofing Problems in Colorado

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.

Ice dams & Icicles

Ice dams and icicles are the result of varying roof temperatures. When areas of your roof have a range of different temperatures, snowfall melts in the warmer regions, flows to the roofs edge, and freezes, creating an ice dam or icicle.

The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.

Ice dams

When water flows down your roof and then freezes on the eaves, it creates an ice dam. The main cause of ice dams is poor ventilation in your attic, and they are bad news because they can damage your gutters, your roof, and your home’s interior. Ice dams can lead to leaks, and they can also potentially break away and fall to the ground, damaging your property or causing injuries.

Ice dams and icicles are the result of varying roof temperatures. When areas of your roof have a range of different temperatures, snowfall melts in the warmer regions, flows to the roofs edge, and freezes, creating an ice dam or icicle.

Ice dams are a build up of ice toward the edge of a roof. As the ice dam becomes larger, it can block the proper flow of water to your gutters, essentially creating a dam on your roof.

Ice dams are mainly caused by improper insulation and ventilation in your attic (link). They can cause damage to you gutters, your roof, and your home’s interior. Water damage is the biggest issue. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into your home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.

Solution: The best solution for eliminating ice dams is preventative: properly ventilate and insulate your attic, and seal any areas where warm air may escape from your living space into the attic. If you’re dealing with ice dams during the winter, you can also try to melt them with calcium chloride ice melter. Be careful when trying to break apart an ice dam. Sharp tools and punctures can cause damage to your roof and shingles.

Here are additional in-depth tips on how to deal with ice dams.

Icicles

Similar to ice dams, the formation of icicles on your eaves and gutters is a common winter roofing problem in Colorado. Water running down your roof can freeze as it drips to the ground, creating the iconic icicle we’re all familiar with. Icicles can also form along your gutters if you have cracks and gaps in them.

Icicles pose less cause for concern than ice dams, however they can be heavy and cause damage to your gutters, pulling them away from your house. On a larger scale, icicles can be an early indication of issues that can escalate into ice dams.

Solution: You can easily knock icicles off your gutters and roof eaves with a broom handle or rake, but be careful to avoid causing more damage by ripping them down. The best way to deal with icicles is to make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear and in working order.

Condensation Build-Up

The weather in Colorado can fluctuate greatly in a single day, going from warm to cold at the drop of a hat. Attic condensation generally happens during the winter and spring months when warm, moist air from your main living area rises into the attic space. When that warm, moist air meets the chilly underside of your roof, condensation occurs.

Condensation appears if your roof isn’t properly ventilated or insulated, and it can lead to growth of mold, mildew, and an overall unpleasant smell in your attic and home. Improperly vented bathroom and dryer exhausts can also cause condensation.

Solution: Inspect your attic for a musty smell and visible signs of condensation. Make sure your attic is ventilated, including ensuring that your bathroom and dryer vents are directing warm air outside and not simply into an unventilated attic space. You’ll want to reduce air leakage into the attic and improve your attic insulation.

Leaks in Roof Flashing

Your roof flashing the metallic strips that surround the base of roofing elements like your chimney and vents. It helps prevent moisture from leaking through to the interior of your home.

Leaks around flashing can be particularly difficult to find and repair. A small opening in a corner can allow a significant amount of water inside, especially during a hard rain or after a snow storm, causing water spots on your ceilings and walls.

Solution: The best way to prevent your flashing from becoming damaged and leading to necessary winter roof repair is to inspect it and replace any damaged pieces. You should hire a professional to inspect and repair your roof flashing.

Strong Winds

Winter storms bring strong winds to Colorado, and that could mean cracked or damaged shingles. Shingles might also become loosened and shift causing problems that could lead to leaks and damage to your home.

Solution: In addition to having your roof professionally inspected, it’s best to keep your eye on the forecast and be ready for windstorms that may pass through. You must also replace broken or missing shingles as soon as you recognize the damage.

Falling Tree Limbs

Windstorms and ice storms can lead to fallen tree limbs and branches, which can damage your shingles or puncture your roof. Falling branches can also damage your gutters and any fixtures you have on your roof like a swamp cooler or air conditioner.

Solution: Trim your trees of any dead or dying branches as well as any limbs that may be within six feet of your roof, especially if the weather forecast indicates a strong storm may be rolling in.

Get a Free Winter Roof Inspection

J&K Roofing is here for you and will come out to your home to perform a thorough winter roof inspection. We see these issues every winter, and our team of experienced professionals can repair and prevent further damage to your property.

Get in touch with us today

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What To Watch Out For When Taking Down Holiday Lights

by J&K Roofing | Jan 20, 2022 | Seasonal

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What To Watch Out For When Taking Down Holiday Lights

It’s that time of year again when we are all thinking about taking down our holiday lights.

If you’re a Denver native, you know that it’s a tradition to keep your holiday lights on until after the National Western Stock Show is over. And in 2021, Colorado residents were likewise encouraged to keep their holiday lights up until the end of January as a show of support for healthcare workers.

No matter when you decide to take Christmas lights down it’s important to consider how to do so safely and without causing damage to your home.

Choose a Day With Good Weather

It’s wintertime, and working outside can be hard to do, particularly for such a task that requires your fingers to complete! Choose a day with a good forecast: no moisture, warm temperatures, and little wind. We’ve got plenty of great weather days in Colorado, but don’t forget how fast the weather can change!

Worst case: you can always simply unplug your lights and wait for warmer weather.

Clear Your Working Area From Obstacles

Similar to putting up your lights, you want to prioritize safety when taking them down. Before you begin taking your Christmas lights down, be sure you clear your working area first. There are multiple hazards involved with taking your lights down, including working with a ladder and dangling cords that create trip hazards.

Unplug Your Lights Before Working With Them

Remember to unplug all your lights before you start pulling them down! Eliminate the risk of electrical shock by taking the time to make sure all lights are unplugged, that way you can work with confidence.

Watch Out For Ice

Take time to survey the ground and sidewalks where you might need to place a ladder—check for ice and other obstacles that might be in your way and prevent you from working safely.

You also want to take a look at your roof and gutters for ice. If your gutters are clogged or there’s any accumulation of ice, your lights might be frozen to the gutter itself or your shingles. If that’s the case, you may need to wait for a few warm days to remove your lights safely.

Don’t Pull Them Down!

You might be tempted to simply grab your string of lights and yank them down, but this can cause damage to both your home and your Christmas lights.

Take the time to remove each clip from your shingles and gutters. Doing so will extend the life of your lights and reduce the risk of damage to your roof and gutters.

Carefully Store Your Lights for Next Year

By taking some extra time to carefully prepare your holiday lights for storage, you can help prevent bulbs from breaking and tangles from happening. Seriously…you’ll thank yourself next year if your lights are easy to unravel!

Some simple ideas for storing Christmas lights include:

Wrapping them around pieces of cardboard
Designating a storage container to protect your lights from getting crushed
Draping your lights on hangers

Click here for more Christmas lights storage ideas.

Keep Your Roof in Good Shape With a Free Inspection

Decorating your home for the holidays can be a wonderful family tradition. Hanging Christmas lights depends on the health of your roof and gutters, so if you notice any damage while you’re taking your lights down—or if you simply want to make sure your roof is in good shape for late winter storms—get in touch with J&K Roofing today for a free roof inspection!

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Top 10 DIY Home Improvement Projects for the Winter

by J&K Roofing | Dec 29, 2021 | Seasonal

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Top 10 DIY Home Improvement Projects for the Winter

Winter is a good time to relax, cozy up inside, and enjoy some quiet time to yourself. But if you prefer to maintain some productivity while the snow falls outside, winter is also a great time to work on home improvement projects!

When you think about home improvement projects, you might automatically think of working outside in the yard or garden—and in Colorado, the odds are good that you’ll get a few nice winter days to get outside. But there’s also a ton you can do inside during the winter to satisfy your home improvement goals, whether that’s making your home feel more cozy, organized, energy efficient, or something else.

To help jumpstart your motivation, we’ve pulled together a list of home improvement projects that you can tackle anytime this winter.

1. Clean/Organize Your Garage or Basement

Organization is an ongoing task for any home, especially if you have kids or a busy life in general. Winter is the perfect time to go through your basement or garage to add some order to the madness. And if the weather is warm enough or your garage is insulated/heated, cleaning your garage is a great wintertime activity!

Consider installing a pegboard or shelving to get tools and other items off the ground. You can also take a look at this great list of storage and organization ideas.

2. Install a New Toilet

It sounds like a big task, but installing a toilet isn’t as intense of a project as you might think. Winter is also a great time to upgrade your toilet for something that better suits your needs or is more efficient. You just want to make sure you have some help, as toilets can be heavy, so lifting and properly placing it might require extra assistance. Here’s a helpful video on how to replace a toilet. Similar to replacing your toilet, changing your faucets can potentially help you save water and cut costs.

3. Declutter Your Home

You don’t have to wait for spring to do a little cleaning up around the house! Taking time to straighten up around your most popular spots throughout the house will help you feel more at ease, and it can be fun to go through old items and figure out what you do/don’t want to hold onto.

Clean your junk drawers, go through dresser drawers and reorganize your items, reorganize your closet (don’t forget to create a donation pile!), go through your pantry or spice cabinet, or anywhere else you notice clutter.

4. Spruce Up Your Interior Decor

Winter is the perfect time to tackle indoor DIY home projects, especially those that will add a cosmetic boost to your home. Consider:

Painting a room (or just a wall)
Making new curtains
Giving a piece of furniture a fresh look with a new coat of paint
Installing new door handles

Here are some additional ideas for DIY home decor projects.

5. Install New Lighting Fixtures

You’d be surprised how upgrading your home lighting will change the feeling of a room or your entire home. Consider your overhead lighting in the rooms you spend the most time in, like your living room, bedroom, home office, kitchen, bathroom, and hallways.

6. Replace Your Doorbell

Installing a new doorbell is an outdoor task, but it’s not one that should take you too long. Plus, a smart doorbell like a Nest or Ring is a great addition to your home safety and it might help lower your homeowners insurance costs.

7. Install a Programmable Thermostat

One way to prepare your property for winter is to install a programmable thermostat. The initial shock from receiving your first winter utility bill might provide enough motivation for this easy project. Programmable models allow you to automatically set different temperatures throughout the day. Some models provide the convenience of controlling temperatures from your smartphone or tablet. Products easily pay for themselves in energy savings, and are accompanied by easy installation instructions.

8. Try a New Furniture Arrangement

Sometimes all it takes is just a new arrangement to feel better about your living space. Is your couch facing the right wall? Does your bed make sense where it’s positioned in your bedroom? Is your home office arranged to help you with remote work? There are a lot of simple furniture arrangement strategies you can implement to create a fresh and welcoming home environment.

9. Update Your House Numbers

This project can be as much fun as it is impactful on the way your home looks from the outside! Your address numbers get a lot of attention, so it makes sense to ensure they’re easy to see and look nice to visitors.Here are some DIY ideas for updating your house numbers.

10. Attempt a New Cozy Craft

Winter could be considered the unofficial craft season, especially when the weather is bad! Rather than sitting around bored all season, consider taking up a new craft to help make your home feel more unique and cozy. Here are some ideas for winter crafting projects.

11. BONUS: Make Sure Your Roof Is In Good Shape

Spring will be here before we know it, so take advantage of the slower part of the year by getting your roof inspected now. It’s easy, free, and it can save you a lot of money before storm season hits.

Get in touch with J&K Roofing for a complimentary and comprehensive inspection of your roof, gutters, and roof fixtures today. Call us today at 303-425-7531 or visit our website to schedule your inspection!

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How To Hang Your Holiday Lights Safely And Without Damaging Your Roof

by J&K Roofing | Nov 24, 2021 | Roof Protection, Seasonal

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How To Hang Your Holiday Lights Safely And Without Damaging Your Roof

Believe it or not, the holidays are upon us, and that means it’s time to put up decorations! Whether you’re the type to go all out with ornate holiday light displays or take a more modest approach with simple decorations, you want to make sure that your installation process is safe and won’t cause any damage to your home or permanent fixtures.

Specifically, hanging holiday lights can be a fun holiday tradition, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Moreover, taking the wrong approach when you go to hang holiday lights could damage your roof system and potentially create issues from snow, ice and water.

With a little planning and some best practices, you’ll get your holiday lights up without any issue. Here’s how to hang holiday lights outside safely and without damaging your roof.

Plan Your Design

You don’t need to over-engineer the process, but having a plan for how to hang holiday lights can save you a lot of stress and prevent costly mistakes. Most of all, make sure you do everything safely—no one wants to recreate any scenes from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!

To that point, create a plan that doesn’t involve getting on top of your roof for a basic precaution.

Measure Twice

To avoid running out of lights you’ll need to complete your planned design (and prevent mixing and matching lights that aren’t the same color), make sure you take correct measurements. Factor in your power source and whether or not you’ll need extension cords. And don’t forget about connection limits! To avoid fire hazard, be aware of how many strings you can safely connect to the same power source.

Here’s a helpful resource on the different Christmas lights available and their related power consumption.

Determine How to Attach Your Lights

There’s more than one way to decorate a Christmas tree, and there’s more than one way to hang holiday lights. One of the most important tips you can remember is to avoid using nails, staples, or drilling into your roof or gutters—doing so might create holes and other damage to your gutters and shingles. And with winter storms rolling into Colorado any day, maintaining your roof for winter is more important than ever!

Hanging Lights on Gutters & Shingles

If you want to hang Christmas lights on gutters or shingles, one of the most common methods is to use universal plastic fasteners and clips, which are inexpensive and easy to use. You can even attach them to the lights before climbing your ladder and clipping them onto your house. In order to protect your roof, be sure any fasteners you are using don’t puncture your roof or shingles in any way.

Pay attention to how your plastic clips are arranged, and keep them all going the same direction for the most effective strategy and the best results. Most clips are designed to either clip over your gutters or slide below your shingles. Either way, do your best to protect your gutters and shingles to prevent damage to your roof.

You might be tempted to drill into your fascia board to hang hooks or other hardware, but this is not recommended. Your fascia board is the long wooden board that closes up your attic from the outside and holds your gutters in place. Any holes in the fascia board may cause damage and eventual rot. Any damage to it could lead to leaks and other roofing problems.

Keep Safety Top of Mind

Hanging your outdoor holiday lights should be a fun, creative holiday tradition. We recommend that you work with another person to make the process fun and safe. Make sure you follow best practices for using a ladder, keeping your hands free by using a toolbelt or bag to hold additional clips and tools, and overall, be mindful of your plan for hanging holiday lights. Do not attempt to hang lights when snow or ice is visible on the ground or on the roof, or during wet weather conditions. It’s recommended that only a professional should stand or walk on a roof and only sparingly to avoid the risk of damage to the shingles.

Never do anything that feels unsafe and always have someone with you while you are hanging lights.

J&K Roofing Will Help Protect Your Roof

To make sure your roof is in the best possible shape before winter storms arrive, get your roof inspected. J&K Roofing offers free roof inspections in the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, and Northern Colorado areas, and we’ll help make sure your roof is in top shape for winter. Contact us today to schedule your inspection!

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5 Crucial Steps to Take When Preparing Your Roof for Winter

by J&K Roofing | Sep 30, 2021 | Seasonal

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5 Crucial Steps to Take When Preparing Your Roof for Winter

Some Crucial Steps to Take When Preparing Your Roof for Winter - J&K Roofing

In Colorado, the seasons can change overnight and we can go from a beautiful 70-degree day to a foot-deep blanket of snow in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s important to take steps now to make sure your home is ready for winter—or just a few days of winter weather.

The last thing you want is to have to deal with substantial damage to your shingle roof in winter, so here’s what you need to know about preparing your roof for winter.

1. Inspect Your Roof

It’s a good practice to have your roof inspected in the fall to make sure everything is in order before winter weather hits. You don’t want to deal with replacing a roof or having winter roofing work done when the temperature is below freezing. Can you put a roof on in winter? Sure, but it’s far from ideal…or cost-effective!

The best thing to do is to schedule a roof inspection to make sure your roof and your home are ready for snow, sleet, cold rain, and wind. A fall inspection will not only provide an assessment of your winter roof, shingles, roofline, and all other areas before the cold season hits, but it will save you from dealing with serious damage later.

It’s not recommended to perform an inspection yourself, as it can be dangerous, and major roofing issues aren’t always obvious for the untrained eye to spot.

2. Inspect Your Gutters

In addition to checking the shingles and roofline and noting any weak or damaged spots, you’ll want to make sure your gutters are clear of debris and able to direct water down and away from your roof and home. If there are any areas where water or ice can accumulate, you might be dealing with additional damage down the road (gutter pulling away from the roof, cracks or leaks, sagging, etc.).

A good approach to making sure your roof is ready for winter and all other seasons is to routinely clean your gutters. A best practice is to clean them twice a year, especially in the fall before the first snow.

3. Be Mindful of Trees & Limbs

While it can be nice to have a yard full of different kinds of trees, your roof might suffer if the trees are growing too close to it.

Part of your pre-winter roof inspection should be to note large, heavy branches that might be susceptible to cracking or falling onto your roof during a heavy storm. Trees also contribute to gutter damage—especially during fall—so trimming your trees before it’s too late is highly recommended.

It’s best to hire a professional to help with trimming your trees and making sure they are ready for any harsh winter weather.

4. Inspect Roof Flashing and Valleys

Roof flashing is the piece of thin metal sheeting that surrounds things on your roof like your chimney to prevent leaks. If any part of the flashing is pulling away or damaged, it will need to be replaced immediately to prevent leaks.

Similarly, your winter roof inspection should include a review of your roof valleys, which are where two portions of your roof meet each other. These areas are particularly susceptible to accumulating debris like leaves and pine needles, and as such, they can prevent water from running off your roof correctly and lead to more damage.

No matter what kind of flashing or valleys might be on your roof, your local roofer will be able to identify any weak areas and complete or recommend work to be done.

5. Inspect Your Attic for Proper Ventilation & Insulation

Your attic is where the first signs of a leak will occur, which is why it’s essential to ensure it has proper ventilation. There are a lot of roof ventilation types available, and it’s important to know how yours operates.

Poor roof ventilation can lead to a buildup of condensation, which can then lead to structural damage to your home. Your roofing inspector can take a look at your attic for mold, mildew, or other signs of poor attic ventilation and recommend some of the best roof ventilation options or even install a roof ventilation fan to help circulate air.

Likewise, proper roof insulation also helps with ventilation and prevents damage to your shingles, as warm air in your attic can create ice dams on your roof and create leaks.

Let J&K Roofing Take On Preparing Your Roof for Winter

A good winter season starts with prevention and includes the proper winter roof maintenance, as necessary.

The smartest move you can make toward preparing your roof for winter is to leave the inspection and preventative measures to the professionals. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Get in touch with us today if you’re in the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, or Northern Colorado area for a winter roof inspection and any necessary prep—before it’s too late. Winter will be here before you know it!

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