Get matched with top holiday decorators in Vienna, MD

If you need to visually inspect your Christmas lights to determine which are good and which need replacement, there are a few things to look for. First, look for discoloration, such as a dark spot or two on the inside of the glass. The spot is an indication of a burnt filament. Also, look for missing filaments, cracked bulb glass, and broken sockets.

Ensure you have a safe environment for them to work on, and there aren’t items such as logs, build-up of yard materials, missing or damaged shingles, and weak areas on the roof. Communicate any known electrical issues with contractors at the beginning of the project, and consider hiring an electrician to fix those. Finally, if you are attempting the project yourself, do so when there isn’t any rain, and you can safely get your footing on the roof using proper equipment, such as an extension ladder. Don’t attempt this alone, and have a helper nearby to assist.

Cold weather can cause older incandescent Christmas lights to fail by causing cracks in the finish or the glass itself. Modern LED lights are affected in the opposite way and perform even better as the temperature drops. 

The simplest way to put Christmas lights on any metal surface is by using a magnetic hook or clip. You can also purchase magnetic lights, which should easily stick to any magnetic surface. Keep in mind that not all metals are magnetic. In that case, you’ll need to use a different clip.