One of the many perks of the holiday season is decorating your home inside and out with bright displays of sentiment and cheerfulness. However, hanging Christmas lights on gutters can be challenging. Don’t break your back setting up your charming holiday display. Here’s how to hang Christmas lights with gutter guards.
Start with a Gutter Cleaning
Christmastime comes nipping at the heels of autumn; this means your gutters likely have piles of dead leaves decomposing atop your gutter guards. While the guards can protect your gutters from clogs, they can’t guarantee freedom from falling foliage.
Consider utilizing a residential gutter cleaning service before hanging Christmas lights, so you don’t have to simultaneously clean and decorate. Our experts at Gutter Maid can help you start decorating with a clean slate.
How to Hang Christmas Lights With Gutter Guards
Hanging exterior Christmas lights will be a pain if you don’t have a plan. The last thing you want to do is ascend your ladder with clips, staples, and light bundles in hand, only to realize you have nowhere to plug in the lights. An easy area to hang Christmas lights are gutters, and especially gutter guards. Installing Christmas lights on gutters often makes the process simple and visually appealing.
Beginning your decorating journey with a well-thought-out plan is a surefire way to achieve success. Here’s how to start your gutter Christmas lights plan:
- Assess your gutters – Condition, weight capacity, need for gutter cleaning…
- Measure the length – Determine the total length of lights you’ll need. You might also need to add a few extra feet to account for corners and other elements.
- Gather the materials – Lights, tools, cords, clips, and Christmas light gutter hooks… Those are all essential to hanging Christmas lights on gutters.
- Install hooks or clips – Start by installing your Christmas light gutter hooks at regular intervals. These hooks should be designed to provide a secure hold. Be careful to not damage your gutter guards.
- Hang the lights – If you’ve bought Christmas lights for gutters specifically, chances are the process will be pretty easy. Regardless, the gutter Christmas lights installation process should begin from the furthest corner. Securely attach the lights to your gutter guards with your hooks, zip ties, or clips and ensure they are evenly spaced and secure. Remember to prioritize safety. Use a sturdy ladder and have a helper when needed.
- Test the lights and make adjustments – As you go along, step back periodically to assess the overall look and make any adjustments needed to ensure the lights are evenly distributed and aligned. This way, you can identify and fix any issues before the festive season begins.
Alternatives to Gutter Clips
The classic tool for hanging Christmas lights with gutter guards is the gutter clip. While these plastic pieces typically slip over the gutter lip while holding the light strand, these don’t work when you have gutter guards in place.
Here are the best alternative hanging strategies when you have gutter guards:
- Under-gutter clips. Though over-gutter clips are a simple solution, under-gutter options work just as well. Look for all-in-one clips that wrap around the gutter and give you an “in” for the lights underneath the metal half-pipe.
- Sticky clips. Clips with adhesive backing are another great option for gutter-based installation. These sticky tools adhere directly to the front face of the gutter with a strong adhesive that will weather the winter wetness. Though the adhesive is quite strong and will come off at the end of the season, sticky clips may fall in the event of severe weather.
- Shingle clips. Your gutter may have pieces in the way, but your roof doesn’t. Consider using shingle clips that attach to single shingles while binding with your light strand. While this strategy is effective, it does have two caveats worth considering. First, these clips may get in the way when trying to clear snow off your roof. Second, using your roof may incur minor damage that could impact your roof warranty. Explore all the shingle clip options and weather solutions before using this alternative.
Knowing how to hang Christmas lights with gutter guards is a great way to enjoy the holidays without anything getting in the way. Learn more about gutter care and clog management as the seasons change from fall to winter, and reach out to our team at Gutter Maid today.