DIY LED Christmas Lights
Unlike traditional Christmas lights, LED lights don't use color filters, which make them more resourceful for Christmas decorating and keep energy costs lower. The LED lights are a unique type of semiconductor diode used to conduct light, and are built inside of solid cases which help them last longer. Decorating your home with Christmas lights is not always a simple task but, once you're finished, it creates a beautiful display.
Instructions
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Locate the outlets to plug in the LED Christmas lights. This will help you determine the number of extension cords you may need and the length of the extension cords. Check the LED Christmas lights to make sure all of the lights are working properly before attaching them to the house. First visually inspect the light strings. Look for broken and missing light bulbs. Look for defective wiring. If the wires are faulty, you will need a brand new set of Christmas lights. Remove any broken bulbs with gloves on. Use long-nose pliers to remove broken bulbs. Some bulbs may require that you pull them out and some may need to be unscrewed.
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Choose a style. Match the style and size of your home with the color and size of your Christmas lights. You may want to hang the Christmas lights along your roof edge or wind them around columns, trees, branches and porch railings.
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Place a stepladder or an extension ladder firmly on flat ground. Then lean the ladder against the eaves. The ladder needs to extend above the eaves. Lean the ladder against the gutter by placing a short piece of 2x4 inside the gutter to reinforce it if necessary.
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Choose the correct fasteners for the roof. Choose fasteners made of plastic or rubber for wet surfaces, like a roof, to avoid electrical hazards. Use nails to fasten lights on the roof if it's not vinyl. Determine how far apart you want to place the nails. If you are using larger heavy bulbs put the nails closer together but no less than 12 inches. Use a gutter clip or a shingle clip to fasten either to the gutter of the home or to the slide underneath the shingles of the roof.
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Divide the shrub or the tree into convenient parts. Start at the top of the shrub and then work your way down as you move from the inside of the tree to the outside and then repeat. Follow the natural sweep of the branches and wrap the lights around the branches. Do not allow the lights to drape.
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Fasten the lights to the window trim. Use tube light clips or nail-on plastic clips to fasten the lights to the trim of the window and space them approximately 12 inches apart.
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Turn the lights on once you're done installing your lights on the roof, the shrub or tree. Inspect your lights to make sure all of the lights are working properly.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit christmas house image by michael langley from Fotolia.com
