Dude. Perfect. Addresses lots of problems. Saves time (in the long run). Keeps pin straight alignment (no dips/sags). Almost all bulbs oriented on the same plane. Maintains consistent spacing. Eliminates untangling time. No more ugly green wire that stands out during the day. Probably last longer to store them this way. Don't have to buy new/cheap plastic mounting clips every year that go brittle and won't stay or come off when you want them to. Fixes tricky mounting issues on covered gutters. Keeps it off of shingles. Low profile permanent mounting clip if you have white trim. Gives me a reason to but a sliding mitre saw. I will be doing this next year.
For those without the power tools, look up mounting clips for PEX tubing. The 3/4" clips fit 1/2" PVC securely, and they already come with a counter sunk hole for the screw.
I saw this video and was inspired to give it a shot. While I didn't follow exactly, it turned out great! Pay attention to the part where he says to angle the open end of the clips downward, mine are angled straight out and it is difficult to get enough leverage to snap the pvc into place. Plan where you wish to plug it in... I ran LED Icicles and LED chasing lights, and positioned the plugs at the peak as I did with the old incandescent lights, only to realize later that I can connect multiple strings end to end with LEDs, otherwise I'd have positioned the plug at the low end, avoiding ladders and roof work all together. Will re-configure next year... Initial set up was time consuming, but when all was said and done, I can clip them up and plug them in and be done with it in less than 10 minutes now. As far as cutting the clips, I measured out 1 inch sections, pre drilled all the holes in the pvc, cut out the longitudinal section with a dremel tool then cut the 1 inch sections apart. Painted the clips to match the trim and you don't even notice they're there. If you don't have a miter saw or a dremel tool, you can do it all with the pvc cutter. Cut your 1 inch sections, then cut out the opening in each clip with the same pvc cutter... awkward, but it works. I put ladder hooks in the attic to store them when I take them down. Thanks for the video.
That's awesome to hear! Great thinking on the pre-drilling and the painting of the clips. Hearing that you can put your lights up so quickly now is amazing. Nice job!
Depends on the LED string. Some have it (Philips) and others do not. Some strings have to be only 6 per power outlet and others can handle 22 strings on one outlet.
I like it, figures we’ve been in this 1891 Victorian home for almost 40 years. Our front gable or peak is 40” with little dental blocks that I burned the old paint sanded primed etc. with four sections of scaffolding. That would’ve been a good time to mount the clips. I did use cpvc and pvc to replace the old galvanized and lead plumbing. But thank you for the tips I might have a couple years left to give it a try. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
I put mine together with this method, thanks for the idea! One thing I did that wasn't mentioned here is that anywhere where I removed a light socket from the stringer, I wrapped the cord in white electrical tape to cover the incisions made by the copper contacts for the socket. Not really sure if it matters or not, but it doesn't hurt to cover those tiny punctures in the wire insulation. I also used a waterproof wire connector on the end of my line (I had about 20 feet of extra line that I didn't need), but I'm wondering if maybe it would be a little better to cover the exposed end with heat shrink instead. I might get some and put it on when I take them down at the end of the season. We'll see how it goes.
One really important note regarding this process. Since you are using metal conduit to hang the line make sure you are not hanging lines that are plugged in. One thing you will never see an electrician or lineman working with is a metal ladder or pole. Doing so makes you the easiest path to ground and could get you killed.
Thank you very much for this video. I have a very tall house with roof sections that are just too steep for my comfort. I tried on my first year to go out onto the lower section and get clips onto my gutters, but they are old box gutters that are just too wide for most of the light clips I've found. Going out each year to attach in some of the ways other people mentioned would absolutely lead to my injury. I really don't want to go up 30 ft over and over every year and leaving them up would certainly result in a frown from my city. I've been trying to find ways to hang lights for years!! Next year when I get a ladder tall enough to reach the top roof section for gutter work I will absolutely keep this in mind as inspiration for finally getting some lights strung up! Then maybe I'll be able to go up just part way...or even go out on the lower roof without having to go to the edge. Great inspiration!
Fantastic addition, and spot on referencing the video that gave you the idea as well! I basically do the same thing, only I use rubber coated c-clips. In essence, exactly the same idea. Works like a charm!
I'm glad to see someone did this. I've been wanting to do this for 20 yrs. I never thought to make the clips to snap the pic into. That's a great idea. I was going to just put up hooks to hold my pvc. Nice
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
I've been doing something similar on the gable of my raised ranch for years. This saves me from moving the ladder every few feet and attaching those annoying shingle tabs. I even tried attaching the plastic tabs from the roof top, but that proved to be challenging due to fact that I had to drag the bulbs across the asphalt shingles damaging some of them or stepping on them. I attached eye hooks every few feet under the eave and just need to move the 20ft extension ladder five times to hang the eye bolts attached to the PVC pipes at the same spacing. Much quicker & easier after the initial assembly. Great job explaining your method
Joe S Oooh good idea. I also have a ranch with some very high, very steep gables. Trying to figure out how to hang light on them. Your idea sounds good.
you are a genius. light look best when they are straight, evenly spaced and bulbs facing the same direction and this covers every aspect, with east setup.
I don't know what people are complaining about this is borderline genius. I personally would probably forego the PVC clips and just go with a metal hook screwed into the house. They're not that visible in the off season and less chance that I'd mess up the alignment. But to not have to put a million light clips up to get non sagging lights? Awesome.
Patrick , if you have a garage or an attic, screw several large ladder hooks into studs: (Garage -I’d install them closer to the ceiling) (Attic-i’d install them out of the way of the attic entrance and tucked away )
I like this idea very much- Yes, a bit of up-front costs (time/effort), but sounds so worth it at the end (hence, I don't understand how others are complaining about it being time-consuming and complicating - the design is simple and even practical). It gets very cold where I live, and there are just some times when pulling out the ladder is just a nuisance. I don't light the upper floor because it is just too high and tough to access. Doing this method may make it possible (deal with putting up the clamps, and then using a pole (my roof rake pole would reach this easily). Hmmmm.... I may try this!
Wow, I can't believe the number of people whining that "this is not DIY cuz of the need for tools!" Sorry, this totally IS a DIY video! Just because it's not a DIY for people whose highest skill level is making arts and crafts with macaroni, glue and construction paper, does not mean it's not DIY. All DIY means is Do It Yourself, meaning not having to call in and pay for a pro to do it for you. True DIY DOES require skill and at least basic tools, otherwise you'll always be better off just paying someone to do it for you.
I use 1x2 inch strips of wood with large holes at each end to slide over a nail or screw that's permanently left in the house and painted to hide it. Attach the lights to those so they're all pointing the same direction (to look professional). It's so much easier to put a whole bunch up at once, rather than attaching each light onto the gutters one at a time. Also easier to store them by keeping them on the wooden strips, rather than having to untangle a big ball of wires every year.
Thank you...I love this idea...I stopped using those roof clips because I hated sliding them under the edge of my shingles. I'm in a one-story home and I think I going to try this. I love working with PVC, it's a great problem solver. I have all the tools you used but not the zip tie gun, never heard of that but can use one...starting with Halloween. Thanks again for sharing.
I use the ladder to get on the roof and work from up top but it takes a careful person to work from the roof edge with nothing securing them from falling. It just takes practice to become second nature. Still I do nave a place this technique might be useful in the future.
No it is for a smart lazy person. Because if you take great care of these next year it will only take an hour to put up. Plus you can have a beer or and not worry about falling off ladder or roof.
I also got a little fed up with the yearly routine of getting the ladder out each festive season. So I invested in some permanent multicoloured Festoon lighting. Now all I have to do is turn them on each festive season. Out of 210 bulbs, I have only had to change 4 in the last 4 years. Also handy if you are having a gettogether. Just tell your guests to look for the festoon lighting. So glad I made the change.
Awesome video and cool technique! I’d never seen this before...I wonder if there is a magnetic version that can be done to try to simplify it a bit more and remove the view of the hooks when the lights aren’t up. Well filmed edited and explained!
I took some old faux wood window blinds and removed all the slats. I drilled holes spaced to the LED lights I have. The holes were just big enough to fit the bulbs with plastic fitting. I then atteched three of those plastic gutter hooks to each slat. I made a simular pole with pvc pipe to install from the ground. All I needed was a drill and used stainless steel screws to attach the gutter hooks. Stainless to prevent rust stains on the slats and elsewhere. Also, since the slats are flat, I could drill the holes through multiple slats at once. My mild OCD was my motivation. Didn't like the LED bulbs not in neat, evenly spaced order.
We did this 2 years ago and it's absolutely worth it. It cost me like $50 in PVC and zip ties. We did 5' sections for the most part which made it super easy to store in two garbage bags on either side of the bundle. I already had some cheap harbor freight power tools to cut the pvc and everything. The hardest parts is the planning in the beginning which was really just measuring each section and figuring how we'd handle the corners and short bits of the awning and the zip ties which we did by hand. After than we accounted for 2 clips per 5' section and made some extras. We get our lights up in under an hour now each year.
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
Also, if you love the look of old incandescent bulbs, look at Tru Tone led bulbs. They're not cheap, but they are almost indistinguishable from traditional bulbs.
I do something similar, but instead of permanently mounting pvc clips, I use outdoor "Command" clips and put some wire or twine loops on the pvc pipes.
Thoroughly enjoyed the prep/process, attention to detail and ingenuity. Similar to other comments though, I'd recommend segmenting each phase of the process and how long each segment took to complete. Huge props, but sometimes...you just gotta keep it simple man. No thanks 😏
This looks brilliant. I had thought of a similar method but yours is cheaper, easier, and less storage space. I love it. I'm already committed to this year's install but next year you can count on me doing it this way!!!
I know some guys just do it for their wives, but I find it adorable when men try super hard to plan and map out Christmas lights. They don't mess around 😂
He definitely mentioned that it would be a lot of work initially the first year, but then every year after that would be simple. That's kind of the whole point of the video
Thanks for posting this, it should be easy. I have gutters, different pitch lines, aluminum flashing & a tile roof. Don't want to go the nail route due to the metal flashing & may try it without all extra support clips.
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
So, for a house that has the gutters close to them, how would you recommend doing this? Is there a way you can use this method, slightly change to hang off the gutters?? I like it overall, and would like and love to do it.
@J L Yes, I ended up mounting under the gutters. It worked out great and doesn't change the way it looks from the street. Easiest setup I've done in four years of a big light show. Thanks @Doug Winn
Thx for the video, ive been referencing back to it for 2 years now! question... i got all new gutters this summer, and in doing so, my pvc "holders" got removed and holes covered. Im trying to think of other ways to mount the PVC without drilling into the flashing/gutters, any recommendations? my longest run is only 8 feet, so not a ton of weight
If you don’t have indoor space to store them I hung sections of 6” corrugated pipe under my deck with caps on the ends to store mine. I just slide them in and seal them up until next year.
I used a small nail with a head , lights easy to install and remove. But if you got a complicated 2 story house. I can see why this cumbersome DIy will work.Man if you u fall off that ladder u can be jacked up for life.
I have been looking at this for a couple of years, and I am starting now for Xmas. The thing I don't understand is why you (or your inspiration) used PVC. Why not wood?
Super Jac Because PVC is white (like most folks’ flashing), weather resistant and thin. What kind of wood did you have in mind? I could see it working but it would have to be pressure treated and probably painted.
Not bad. I have 5 houses on my cul-de-sac that I light up with little or no ladders (Usually just to secure the cord and timer at the beginning.) I use a larger size cup hooks. They are placed 2 or 3 inches from the fascia on the underside of the eve or into the trim of a gable. I space them about 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart. Take a piece of cardboard or wood and drill a hole about your decided distance from one end. Then just put the other end up to the last hole and drill your pilot hole through the hole in the board. Set down the drill and get your cup hooks started by hand and then use a socket driver with a socket just big enough to catch and turn the hooks. (Wish I had thought of that before the first two houses!) I wear a hoodie with a belly pocket to hold the hooks and driver so I can drill and set the hooks as I go. You can usually set 2 to 4 hooks without moving the ladder. After I secure the cord and timer (also with cup hooks!) I use an extendable pole to hang the strings. No-ladder pro has an 11ft pole I picked up at H. Depot after Christmas sale for under $10 but you can use anything that will hook and place the strings. Try a painters pole with a hook or a piece of PVC with a v cut into one end maybe. The only downside ( pun intended ) is that the lights are under the eve just a bit but I still think they look great and even though I always plug those extra outlets on the start of each strand with baby safe plug covers, the plugs are for the most part protected from the rain. I prefer my lights a little closer together than the spacing of the strings, so I actually drilled a hole every 6" in a yardstick and then put hooks every 6" on my house. Then even more overboard, I used the little zip-ties and zipped a little loop at each bulb. A little excessive, but all front-loaded work that never has to be done again. And the hooks are there year round to be used for other things. I hang wind-spinners and bird feeders on them. One of my neighbors hung a "Happy Birthday" banner from them. Oh and they come in handy for Halloween decorations too! Good luck and Merry Christmas to all and to all some Great Lights!
I just spaced nails in the wood following the roof line and wrapped the lights wire around the nail once then moved to the next...60 feet of lights done in 20 minutes. Nails will be there for next year.
This is a great idea, but it sounds to expensive for me. I put up lights for 30 years that covers the whole roof, and house like Christmas vacation movie, It would cost me an arm, and a leg, to do that, so I use twisties from your bread wrapper and pull tight and tuck under the shingle so it does not move with the wind. Just a small cost for the twisties, abut $3.00. Food for thought. Merry Christmas.
Please post a picture of how beautiful your house is with all the pvc clips that you are going to leave up all year round idk about leaving them I guess you will see
I hang smart RGB lights that sequence to a light show every year. Tons of fun, but the setup is seriously time-consuming. Hoping to use your method LRN2DIY, thanks! Wondering what to do when I come to gutters though... bolt and washer with a little silicone to seal the clip to the gutter? What do you think?
That sound like a good way to go but you'd have to countersink the nut so that it doesn't prevent the pipe from snapping in. Either that or try a more permanent glue to avoid the hardware altogether. I'd love to see how it turns out!
Good call on the countersink. Great idea on the glue. I could use construction adhesive. That would make this a permanant fixture on the gutters... so now I'm wondering how it will look after and noticing that you went under your gutters. Maybe I'll just do that instead.
Yeah but then every year after you spend like 10 mins putting up and taking lights down and putting them away. Work longer this one year and every year after is so much easier
I was so excited to find this when you started talking about using pvc. I think it's the cheapest way to go. But what I thought was... that you'd use your saw to slice along the whole length of the pipe and turn it into a channel that the wire would go in and the lights would tightly stick in a straight line. Seems it would be the easiest way. Not sure its possible, but someone should make long long strips that would tightly hold the wire and the lights in place in a channel meant just for them. I'm so tired of doing the clips... Think it's possible?
I use c6 bulbs. I am using 1" pvc cut down the middle with wobbled 3/8" holes spaced 3" apart (1.5" from ends). I'd recommend using a slightly bigger pvc pipe so that the wires can be hidden 100% of the time.
I'm wondering if you could just hang the PVC from larger screw-in hooks in the eves instead of making the clips. Might be easier to out up and take down.
I thought about doing that and I think it could work - I only didn't because I worried about the lights moving around in the wind and being difficult to rotate to the right position. If you try it, let me know how it works out!
I used the broom hooks and have them permanently installed on the eves and caulk around the screws that hold them in place and I just push the pvc into the clips and it holds very well.
I use staples to hang my lights, one-time install with no measurement required. Zip ties are my friend. After 3 seasons of lighting, ran out of zips for once. (It was the 1000 zip bundle from Home Depot) www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-8-in-Black-Double-Point-Staples-1-75-oz-Pack-45684/202105657
Ryan Golding Are you saying that you avoided using the PVC pipe and zip tie method? Instead you used the string of lights, stapled them to the home, and removed the staples after each Christmas season?
What screws is he using to put the clips onto the roof. Once the screw is in the clip the 1/2 inch pipe won’t fit into 3/4 in clip. Probably easy answer but I’m not handy what so ever. Lol.
Dan Janes Just standard 1.5” outdoor screws but you can see in the video that I used a countersink drill bit so that they sit flush inside the clips, making the pipes pop in easily.
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
tried this on a small single ranch style home and did not like it. Took longer and could have finished sooner the good old way. Good idea though. Thumbs up for trying.
Not sure this is worth the payoff... You can just install eye hooks in the roof and use that pole to set the lights on the hooks. Waaaay easier and you don't have to store lines and lines of PVC in your garage all year.
this is great but might I suggest that you please slow down as it is hard to keep up with you without starting and stopping the video mutiple times. In addition to using closeups to how the lights connect to the clips you put on the house
Good advice. I always struggle between making shorter videos and more complete videos. The longer they are, the less likely people are to watch at all. I made this one shorter/faster and could probably slow it down more. I appreciate the feedback.
I like the short quick vids, Nils...I appreciate the editing compared to some DIY channels where some tubby, out-of-breath guy straps a camera to his forehead and starts rambling on for 20 minutes before actually showing you anything. (The pause button is there for those who need it)
LRN2DIY Great video. I will definitely give this a try. I agree on slowing down in the video but also agree on your point on longer DIY videos. Maybe have subtitles so people can pause and still keep up. Thanks!
Brent Carlisle I’m only on my second year but they held up great between last year and this year. None broke and they all stayed pliable enough for the pipes to snap in this year.
Interesting I am putting up my lights just now and it seems that every 2 yrs I'am replacing my lights and they seem to be in the parts that are very high up🤯 so i was thinking maybe plastic like you are using but I already purchased some small pulleys and some plastic coated wire a roll of 500 ft for around $20.00 . So I will screw the pulleys up where needed and run the wire thru the pulleys and use this wire to pull up the lights. The wire is very flexible and green in colour like my facia. So then I will fasten the wire to an area near the ground like a spike with a hole in it or any pipe with a hole or eyelet will do for the wires to attach to. I don't want the lights to come down🙄 . I just have to make sure the lights are pulled tight enough to be straight hence the reason for the pulleys. If it works I'am only out for about $30.00 canadian 😜👌 It's good to see you did the same thing I was basically going to do very smart. If my idea doesn't work that well I will be trying your method will let you know trying it tomorrow!
Right when you showed your homemade contraption tool light hanger, (@ 5:16) Out of habit, I automatically said "GEH-TOE!!!! and right after I said that, you said "Its kinda ghetto but it works!!!" 😂😂 I did a double take and re-wound it back to make sure I heard you say what I thought you said HAHA!!! 😂😂😂 That was so random!!! But good ideas!!! Thanks for the helpful info. The only thing that sucks for me anyway, my house is freakin tall. I think its what they call a split entry...where once you enter the house your on a landing and you can either walk up stairs or down the stairs to the basement which makes my top floor WAAY above ground, so I'll have to figure out how to get all the way up there. Or maybe just hang lights on the inside of all my Windows using a tweaked version of your outside light hanging process. Either way, good ideas and the after look is flawless!!!
I'm looking at this and came up with a better idea for clipping it to the house. Instead of clips, use neodymium magnets attached to the poles and metal plates attached to the house. This will make it easier to both put up and tear down. Also the metal plates can be painted to match the house and nobody would see it all year. Note: neodymium magnets come in many different strengths. It would need to be strong enough to withstand high winds.which strength to use may take just a little research.
It's just another tool to help lift things into place. Like what I'm doing at 5:52 but I would use the two tools somewhat interchangeably. Hope that helps.
@@danjanes4145 I would try removing the cap and, if possible, cutting it back a bit shorter then seeing if it works uncapped. If it does, try putting two caps on - one for each wire.
Adjust the distance between lights. I made pre-cut piece of wood I use to evenly space my lights the same distance apart. With this method you would adjust where you drill the holes.
Dude. Perfect. Addresses lots of problems. Saves time (in the long run). Keeps pin straight alignment (no dips/sags). Almost all bulbs oriented on the same plane. Maintains consistent spacing. Eliminates untangling time. No more ugly green wire that stands out during the day. Probably last longer to store them this way. Don't have to buy new/cheap plastic mounting clips every year that go brittle and won't stay or come off when you want them to. Fixes tricky mounting issues on covered gutters. Keeps it off of shingles. Low profile permanent mounting clip if you have white trim. Gives me a reason to but a sliding mitre saw.
I will be doing this next year.
For those without the power tools, look up mounting clips for PEX tubing. The 3/4" clips fit 1/2" PVC securely, and they already come with a counter sunk hole for the screw.
I saw this video and was inspired to give it a shot. While I didn't follow exactly, it turned out great! Pay attention to the part where he says to angle the open end of the clips downward, mine are angled straight out and it is difficult to get enough leverage to snap the pvc into place. Plan where you wish to plug it in... I ran LED Icicles and LED chasing lights, and positioned the plugs at the peak as I did with the old incandescent lights, only to realize later that I can connect multiple strings end to end with LEDs, otherwise I'd have positioned the plug at the low end, avoiding ladders and roof work all together. Will re-configure next year... Initial set up was time consuming, but when all was said and done, I can clip them up and plug them in and be done with it in less than 10 minutes now. As far as cutting the clips, I measured out 1 inch sections, pre drilled all the holes in the pvc, cut out the longitudinal section with a dremel tool then cut the 1 inch sections apart. Painted the clips to match the trim and you don't even notice they're there. If you don't have a miter saw or a dremel tool, you can do it all with the pvc cutter. Cut your 1 inch sections, then cut out the opening in each clip with the same pvc cutter... awkward, but it works. I put ladder hooks in the attic to store them when I take them down. Thanks for the video.
That's awesome to hear! Great thinking on the pre-drilling and the painting of the clips. Hearing that you can put your lights up so quickly now is amazing. Nice job!
Depends on the LED string. Some have it (Philips) and others do not. Some strings have to be only 6 per power outlet and others can handle 22 strings on one outlet.
I'm so glad to hear that somebody else doesn't like those laser projector things. totally not a fan of those things
jujumediazone same they make me cring
They’re terrible. It screams, “I’m super lazy”
They don’t even look good its shit
jujumediazone they look like shit and it makes me think WTH
His idea is fucking lazy too Id rather do it with clips and use c9 old school lights thats my set up and I got the best lights in town
I like it, figures we’ve been in this 1891 Victorian home for almost 40 years. Our front gable or peak is 40” with little dental blocks that I burned the old paint sanded primed etc. with four sections of scaffolding. That would’ve been a good time to mount the clips. I did use cpvc and pvc to replace the old galvanized and lead plumbing. But thank you for the tips I might have a couple years left to give it a try. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
I put mine together with this method, thanks for the idea! One thing I did that wasn't mentioned here is that anywhere where I removed a light socket from the stringer, I wrapped the cord in white electrical tape to cover the incisions made by the copper contacts for the socket. Not really sure if it matters or not, but it doesn't hurt to cover those tiny punctures in the wire insulation.
I also used a waterproof wire connector on the end of my line (I had about 20 feet of extra line that I didn't need), but I'm wondering if maybe it would be a little better to cover the exposed end with heat shrink instead. I might get some and put it on when I take them down at the end of the season. We'll see how it goes.
One really important note regarding this process. Since you are using metal conduit to hang the line make sure you are not hanging lines that are plugged in. One thing you will never see an electrician or lineman working with is a metal ladder or pole. Doing so makes you the easiest path to ground and could get you killed.
Thank you very much for this video. I have a very tall house with roof sections that are just too steep for my comfort. I tried on my first year to go out onto the lower section and get clips onto my gutters, but they are old box gutters that are just too wide for most of the light clips I've found. Going out each year to attach in some of the ways other people mentioned would absolutely lead to my injury. I really don't want to go up 30 ft over and over every year and leaving them up would certainly result in a frown from my city. I've been trying to find ways to hang lights for years!!
Next year when I get a ladder tall enough to reach the top roof section for gutter work I will absolutely keep this in mind as inspiration for finally getting some lights strung up! Then maybe I'll be able to go up just part way...or even go out on the lower roof without having to go to the edge. Great inspiration!
Fantastic addition, and spot on referencing the video that gave you the idea as well! I basically do the same thing, only I use rubber coated c-clips. In essence, exactly the same idea. Works like a charm!
I'm glad to see someone did this. I've been wanting to do this for 20 yrs. I never thought to make the clips to snap the pic into. That's a great idea. I was going to just put up hooks to hold my pvc. Nice
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
I've been doing something similar on the gable of my raised ranch for years. This saves me from moving the ladder every few feet and attaching those annoying shingle tabs. I even tried attaching the plastic tabs from the roof top, but that proved to be challenging due to fact that I had to drag the bulbs across the asphalt shingles damaging some of them or stepping on them. I attached eye hooks every few feet under the eave and just need to move the 20ft extension ladder five times to hang the eye bolts attached to the PVC pipes at the same spacing. Much quicker & easier after the initial assembly.
Great job explaining your method
Joe S Oooh good idea. I also have a ranch with some very high, very steep gables. Trying to figure out how to hang light on them. Your idea sounds good.
I have gutter around the entire house so I use it.
you are a genius. light look best when they are straight, evenly spaced and bulbs facing the same direction and this covers every aspect, with east setup.
I don't know what people are complaining about this is borderline genius. I personally would probably forego the PVC clips and just go with a metal hook screwed into the house. They're not that visible in the off season and less chance that I'd mess up the alignment. But to not have to put a million light clips up to get non sagging lights? Awesome.
I use electrical (grey) PVC with metal hooks. Matches my trim and better UV performance outdoors.
Ummm, what? Christmas would be over before I figured all this out. I’ll stick to the standard near death experience I’m used to.
Haha. I like his idea. A lot more time to set up to save time later, but store all that pvc all year long looks like a cluster.
Patrick , if you have a garage or an attic, screw several large ladder hooks into studs: (Garage -I’d install them closer to the ceiling)
(Attic-i’d install them out of the way of the attic entrance and tucked away )
That's exactly what I had in mind. Thank you for making a video on it. Now, I can show it to my husband for him to be abke to see what I want.
I like this idea very much- Yes, a bit of up-front costs (time/effort), but sounds so worth it at the end (hence, I don't understand how others are complaining about it being time-consuming and complicating - the design is simple and even practical).
It gets very cold where I live, and there are just some times when pulling out the ladder is just a nuisance. I don't light the upper floor because it is just too high and tough to access. Doing this method may make it possible (deal with putting up the clamps, and then using a pole (my roof rake pole would reach this easily). Hmmmm.... I may try this!
This is great so there is no more falling off the roof or ladder. Great Idea.
I'm excited to see how it comes out at our house. So far it looks amazing just on the PVC.
Wow, I can't believe the number of people whining that "this is not DIY cuz of the need for tools!"
Sorry, this totally IS a DIY video! Just because it's not a DIY for people whose highest skill level is making arts and crafts with macaroni, glue and construction paper, does not mean it's not DIY. All DIY means is Do It Yourself, meaning not having to call in and pay for a pro to do it for you. True DIY DOES require skill and at least basic tools, otherwise you'll always be better off just paying someone to do it for you.
You are not a DIY'r unless you have a dozen or more power tools and more bits and screwdrivers then you can keep track of.
Calm down Dirt!
I agree Jose!
I use 1x2 inch strips of wood with large holes at each end to slide over a nail or screw that's permanently left in the house and painted to hide it. Attach the lights to those so they're all pointing the same direction (to look professional). It's so much easier to put a whole bunch up at once, rather than attaching each light onto the gutters one at a time. Also easier to store them by keeping them on the wooden strips, rather than having to untangle a big ball of wires every year.
This seems more convenient than the clips method.
Thank you...I love this idea...I stopped using those roof clips because I hated sliding them under the edge of my shingles. I'm in a one-story home and I think I going to try this. I love working with PVC, it's a great problem solver. I have all the tools you used but not the zip tie gun, never heard of that but can use one...starting with Halloween. Thanks again for sharing.
OMG! this is for a die hard DIYer... I'll just continue using the ladder 😥😥😥
I use the ladder to get on the roof and work from up top but it takes a careful person to work from the roof edge with nothing securing them from falling. It just takes practice to become second nature. Still I do nave a place this technique might be useful in the future.
No it is for a smart lazy person. Because if you take great care of these next year it will only take an hour to put up. Plus you can have a beer or and not worry about falling off ladder or roof.
I also got a little fed up with the yearly routine of getting the ladder out each festive season. So I invested in some permanent multicoloured Festoon lighting. Now all I have to do is turn them on each festive season. Out of 210 bulbs, I have only had to change 4 in the last 4 years. Also handy if you are having a gettogether. Just tell your guests to look for the festoon lighting. So glad I made the change.
Awesome video and cool technique! I’d never seen this before...I wonder if there is a magnetic version that can be done to try to simplify it a bit more and remove the view of the hooks when the lights aren’t up. Well filmed edited and explained!
OMG magnets … genius hmm
I took some old faux wood window blinds and removed all the slats. I drilled holes spaced to the LED lights I have. The holes were just big enough to fit the bulbs with plastic fitting. I then atteched three of those plastic gutter hooks to each slat. I made a simular pole with pvc pipe to install from the ground. All I needed was a drill and used stainless steel screws to attach the gutter hooks. Stainless to prevent rust stains on the slats and elsewhere. Also, since the slats are flat, I could drill the holes through multiple slats at once. My mild OCD was my motivation. Didn't like the LED bulbs not in neat, evenly spaced order.
Galvanized would have worked to just not be shiny. I tend to use decking screws for lots of uses.
That was cool bro a lot of work initially but pays off year after year...I might have to try this out. Thanks.
We did this 2 years ago and it's absolutely worth it. It cost me like $50 in PVC and zip ties. We did 5' sections for the most part which made it super easy to store in two garbage bags on either side of the bundle. I already had some cheap harbor freight power tools to cut the pvc and everything. The hardest parts is the planning in the beginning which was really just measuring each section and figuring how we'd handle the corners and short bits of the awning and the zip ties which we did by hand. After than we accounted for 2 clips per 5' section and made some extras. We get our lights up in under an hour now each year.
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
Also, if you love the look of old incandescent bulbs, look at Tru Tone led bulbs. They're not cheap, but they are almost indistinguishable from traditional bulbs.
Clip hack👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for sharing! Our house is challenging because of height too so this is excellent help!
I do something similar, but instead of permanently mounting pvc clips, I use outdoor "Command" clips and put some wire or twine loops on the pvc pipes.
This is awesome!!! I had stopped putting up lights because of the hassle. I am going to give this a try this year.
Thoroughly enjoyed the prep/process, attention to detail and ingenuity. Similar to other comments though, I'd recommend segmenting each phase of the process and how long each segment took to complete. Huge props, but sometimes...you just gotta keep it simple man. No thanks 😏
Excellent idea 👍
This looks brilliant. I had thought of a similar method but yours is cheaper, easier, and less storage space. I love it. I'm already committed to this year's install but next year you can count on me doing it this way!!!
It's worth it. We get our lights up in under an hour now each year. Such a time and headache saver.
GREAT ideas and nice job making a video that GETS TO IT straightaway.
Nice idea but you forgot to add the 10 hours of design and build time
Ahlie
Bruh. It's about 3 hours for measuring, cutting, zip tying, and install. And after the initial year you're done in about 10 minutes
He clearly mentioned all the extra work the initial year
I know some guys just do it for their wives, but I find it adorable when men try super hard to plan and map out Christmas lights. They don't mess around 😂
He definitely mentioned that it would be a lot of work initially the first year, but then every year after that would be simple. That's kind of the whole point of the video
very smart and innovative! Do more work 1x to save time for years! Inspiring!
This might be amazing for me
Great tips, I thought about using pvc but never seen anyone else post a video doing it. I'll do it this year.
Thanks for posting this, it should be easy. I have gutters, different pitch lines, aluminum flashing & a tile roof. Don't want to go the nail route due to the metal flashing & may try it without all extra support clips.
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
I plan to use this process on a portion of my roof that is not easy to access by ladder. Thanks for the idea.
This is an outstanding idea!
Great channel, too!
Great idea✨🎄
Thank you!! thank you!!
So, for a house that has the gutters close to them, how would you recommend doing this? Is there a way you can use this method, slightly change to hang off the gutters?? I like it overall, and would like and love to do it.
I have the same question... Did you think of a method to use for the gutters Doug?
@@Galatians525 Aren't the gutters mounted on wood at the end of the eave? I think I have plenty of space under my gutters for mounting poles.
@J L Yes, I ended up mounting under the gutters. It worked out great and doesn't change the way it looks from the street. Easiest setup I've done in four years of a big light show. Thanks @Doug Winn
Thx for the video, ive been referencing back to it for 2 years now! question... i got all new gutters this summer, and in doing so, my pvc "holders" got removed and holes covered. Im trying to think of other ways to mount the PVC without drilling into the flashing/gutters, any recommendations? my longest run is only 8 feet, so not a ton of weight
Maybe an outdoor glue or epoxy?
Pro Tip: leave lights on house year round, makes it much easier next year!
Exactly!
But It can spoil with the weather
Only thing I would do different is climb on the roof, keep your system you have but ditch the long poles. Great ideas!!
If you don’t have indoor space to store them I hung sections of 6” corrugated pipe under my deck with caps on the ends to store mine. I just slide them in and seal them up until next year.
This is really clever and creative. Thanks for the tips.
Good idea merry Christmas thank you.
Does it look bad year round when lights aren’t attached
Great tips. Love the PVC clip philosophy.
I used a small nail with a head , lights easy to install and remove.
But if you got a complicated 2 story house. I can see why this cumbersome DIy will work.Man if you u fall off that ladder u can be jacked up for life.
Brilliant!❤️🇦🇺
I have been looking at this for a couple of years, and I am starting now for Xmas. The thing I don't understand is why you (or your inspiration) used PVC. Why not wood?
Super Jac Because PVC is white (like most folks’ flashing), weather resistant and thin. What kind of wood did you have in mind? I could see it working but it would have to be pressure treated and probably painted.
Not bad. I have 5 houses on my cul-de-sac that I light up with little or no ladders (Usually just to secure the cord and timer at the beginning.)
I use a larger size cup hooks. They are placed 2 or 3 inches from the fascia on the underside of the eve or into the trim of a gable.
I space them about 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart. Take a piece of cardboard or wood and drill a hole about your decided distance from one end. Then just put the other end up to the last hole and drill your pilot hole through the hole in the board. Set down the drill and get your cup hooks started by hand and then use a socket driver with a socket just big enough to catch and turn the hooks. (Wish I had thought of that before the first two houses!) I wear a hoodie with a belly pocket to hold the hooks and driver so I can drill and set the hooks as I go. You can usually set 2 to 4 hooks without moving the ladder.
After I secure the cord and timer (also with cup hooks!) I use an extendable pole to hang the strings. No-ladder pro has an 11ft pole I picked up at H. Depot after Christmas sale for under $10 but you can use anything that will hook and place the strings. Try a painters pole with a hook or a piece of PVC with a v cut into one end maybe.
The only downside ( pun intended ) is that the lights are under the eve just a bit but I still think they look great and even though I always plug those extra outlets on the start of each strand with baby safe plug covers, the plugs are for the most part protected from the rain.
I prefer my lights a little closer together than the spacing of the strings, so I actually drilled a hole every 6" in a yardstick and then put hooks every 6" on my house. Then even more overboard, I used the little zip-ties and zipped a little loop at each bulb. A little excessive, but all front-loaded work that never has to be done again.
And the hooks are there year round to be used for other things. I hang wind-spinners and bird feeders on them. One of my neighbors hung a "Happy Birthday" banner from them. Oh and they come in handy for Halloween decorations too!
Good luck and Merry Christmas to all and to all some Great Lights!
Looooooove this idea 👍👍👍👍
Very creative!
Such a great idea you should start selling things like that and trust me you should get a lot of money from it
Nice video!!! Every thing sounded like French language 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
I just spaced nails in the wood following the roof line and wrapped the lights wire around the nail once then moved to the next...60 feet of lights done in 20 minutes. Nails will be there for next year.
This is a great idea, but it sounds to expensive for me. I put up lights for 30 years that covers the whole roof, and house like Christmas vacation movie, It would cost me an arm, and a leg, to do that, so I use twisties from your bread wrapper and pull tight and tuck under the shingle so it does not move with the wind. Just a small cost for the twisties, abut $3.00. Food for thought. Merry Christmas.
I’m so tired from hearing all these steps I don’t even feel like putting lights up anymore. Holy cow. I was lost after step 57 lol
Don't have a house. Don't celebrate Christmas (different religion). Watched the entire video for the genius idea. Great job!
on FIRE journey only someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas would find this to be a genius idea. Cool 😎
Please post a picture of how beautiful your house is with all the pvc clips that you are going to leave up all year round idk about leaving them I guess you will see
After all the work he did, I was expecting his house to look like Clark Griswold's house.
Brilliant!
I hang smart RGB lights that sequence to a light show every year. Tons of fun, but the setup is seriously time-consuming. Hoping to use your method LRN2DIY, thanks!
Wondering what to do when I come to gutters though... bolt and washer with a little silicone to seal the clip to the gutter? What do you think?
That sound like a good way to go but you'd have to countersink the nut so that it doesn't prevent the pipe from snapping in. Either that or try a more permanent glue to avoid the hardware altogether. I'd love to see how it turns out!
Good call on the countersink. Great idea on the glue. I could use construction adhesive. That would make this a permanant fixture on the gutters... so now I'm wondering how it will look after and noticing that you went under your gutters. Maybe I'll just do that instead.
4 years later, and I think that THIS is the actual best way to put up Christmas lights! Check it out! ua-cam.com/video/wyjekWY5mj0/v-deo.html
Thanks some great ideas.
In the time you spent doing this, I would be done and drinking a beer.
Yeah but then every year after you spend like 10 mins putting up and taking lights down and putting them away. Work longer this one year and every year after is so much easier
I was so excited to find this when you started talking about using pvc. I think it's the cheapest way to go. But what I thought was... that you'd use your saw to slice along the whole length of the pipe and turn it into a channel that the wire would go in and the lights would tightly stick in a straight line. Seems it would be the easiest way. Not sure its possible, but someone should make long long strips that would tightly hold the wire and the lights in place in a channel meant just for them. I'm so tired of doing the clips... Think it's possible?
I use c6 bulbs. I am using 1" pvc cut down the middle with wobbled 3/8" holes spaced 3" apart (1.5" from ends). I'd recommend using a slightly bigger pvc pipe so that the wires can be hidden 100% of the time.
I'm wondering if you could just hang the PVC from larger screw-in hooks in the eves instead of making the clips. Might be easier to out up and take down.
I thought about doing that and I think it could work - I only didn't because I worried about the lights moving around in the wind and being difficult to rotate to the right position. If you try it, let me know how it works out!
I used the broom hooks and have them permanently installed on the eves and caulk around the screws that hold them in place and I just push the pvc into the clips and it holds very well.
Awesome, Kim!
I use staples to hang my lights, one-time install with no measurement required. Zip ties are my friend. After 3 seasons of lighting, ran out of zips for once. (It was the 1000 zip bundle from Home Depot) www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-8-in-Black-Double-Point-Staples-1-75-oz-Pack-45684/202105657
Ryan Golding Are you saying that you avoided using the PVC pipe and zip tie method? Instead you used the string of lights, stapled them to the home, and removed the staples after each Christmas season?
Nice, its worth for 4 the season
It’s worth looking for a better way. This is awkward working with that wobbly pole looking up trying to aim into hooks. But thank you for an idea.
What screws is he using to put the clips onto the roof. Once the screw is in the clip the 1/2 inch pipe won’t fit into 3/4 in clip. Probably easy answer but I’m not handy what so ever. Lol.
Dan Janes Just standard 1.5” outdoor screws but you can see in the video that I used a countersink drill bit so that they sit flush inside the clips, making the pipes pop in easily.
LRN2DIY I seen that after I wrote this lol. Thx.
BUY 80 CLIPS ON AMAZON. These pre-made 3/4" PEX clips works perfect for 1/2" (HALF INCH) SCH40 PVC PIPE. Just buy stainless steel screws to attach these clips to your house. LOOK HERE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QSJSR4/
10 seconds into the video I knew it was too complicated, but I still watch the video for some reason 👏🤣
Brilliant
tried this on a small single ranch style home and did not like it. Took longer and could have finished sooner the good old way. Good idea though. Thumbs up for trying.
Not sure this is worth the payoff... You can just install eye hooks in the roof and use that pole to set the lights on the hooks. Waaaay easier and you don't have to store lines and lines of PVC in your garage all year.
It helps keep the cords from tangling
this is great but might I suggest that you please slow down as it is hard to keep up with you without starting and stopping the video mutiple times. In addition to using closeups to how the lights connect to the clips you put on the house
Good advice. I always struggle between making shorter videos and more complete videos. The longer they are, the less likely people are to watch at all. I made this one shorter/faster and could probably slow it down more. I appreciate the feedback.
I like the short quick vids, Nils...I appreciate the editing compared to some DIY channels where some tubby, out-of-breath guy straps a camera to his forehead and starts rambling on for 20 minutes before actually showing you anything. (The pause button is there for those who need it)
LRN2DIY Great video. I will definitely give this a try. I agree on slowing down in the video but also agree on your point on longer DIY videos. Maybe have subtitles so people can pause and still keep up. Thanks!
@MichelleObama isAman THIS
How long do the PVC clips last? Or how often would they need to be replaced?
Brent Carlisle I’m only on my second year but they held up great between last year and this year. None broke and they all stayed pliable enough for the pipes to snap in this year.
It is PVC. It will last for decades.
brilliant!
Interesting I am putting up my lights just now and it seems that every 2 yrs I'am replacing my lights and they seem to be in the parts that are very high up🤯 so i was thinking maybe plastic like you are using but I already purchased some small pulleys and some plastic coated wire a roll of 500 ft for around $20.00 .
So I will screw the pulleys up where needed and run the wire thru the pulleys and use this wire to pull up the lights. The wire is very flexible and green in colour like my facia. So then I will fasten the wire to an area near the ground like a spike with a hole in it or any pipe with a hole or eyelet will do for the wires to attach to. I don't want the lights to come down🙄 .
I just have to make sure the lights are pulled tight enough to be straight hence the reason for the pulleys.
If it works I'am only out for about $30.00 canadian 😜👌
It's good to see you did the same thing I was basically going to do very smart. If my idea doesn't work that well I will be trying your method will let you know trying it tomorrow!
Sounds like a great plan! Best of luck.
that was awesome
How about taping led strip lighting under the eves and just leave it there? Not individual lights, but would make the edges glow.
Who else is sitting on the roof watching this knowing you would still be using clips fml
So when you get to the end of the roof and there are extra lights left, you just cut the end and put a stopper on?
Exactly. A waterproof wire cap.
My family secret: Use hot glue every 6' or so. Easy on and easy off.
Genius!!
Right when you showed your homemade contraption tool light hanger, (@ 5:16) Out of habit, I automatically said "GEH-TOE!!!! and right after I said that, you said "Its kinda ghetto but it works!!!" 😂😂 I did a double take and re-wound it back to make sure I heard you say what I thought you said HAHA!!! 😂😂😂 That was so random!!! But good ideas!!! Thanks for the helpful info. The only thing that sucks for me anyway, my house is freakin tall. I think its what they call a split entry...where once you enter the house your on a landing and you can either walk up stairs or down the stairs to the basement which makes my top floor WAAY above ground, so I'll have to figure out how to get all the way up there. Or maybe just hang lights on the inside of all my Windows using a tweaked version of your outside light hanging process. Either way, good ideas and the after look is flawless!!!
I'm looking at this and came up with a better idea for clipping it to the house. Instead of clips, use neodymium magnets attached to the poles and metal plates attached to the house. This will make it easier to both put up and tear down. Also the metal plates can be painted to match the house and nobody would see it all year. Note: neodymium magnets come in many different strengths. It would need to be strong enough to withstand high winds.which strength to use may take just a little research.
damon finken I like it. Could work really well!
Damon Finks, what kind of plates are your recommending. I am looking into this now.
At 5:20 - what are you saying here? I’m confused as to what you would need this tool for in relation to the zip ties?
It's just another tool to help lift things into place. Like what I'm doing at 5:52 but I would use the two tools somewhat interchangeably. Hope that helps.
Perfect, thanks for the quick reply
That’s good idea.. 👌🏻
Hola... Great Video Nice to know, Thank you, I'm a new subscriber. 🤗👍
Love it tks
The light string was working. Then at the end I cut the cord and put a water proof cap the end and now it won’t light up. Any suggestions?
It blows the fuse every time I turn it on
@@danjanes4145 I would try removing the cap and, if possible, cutting it back a bit shorter then seeing if it works uncapped. If it does, try putting two caps on - one for each wire.
Oh! That's all that you have to do?😳😳😳
HighHook LMAO
Knee slapper 😂
HighHook...Hilarious! That's it!
Lol are you kidding me?!
If the lights are too long how do you make it to where the lights will end only at a certain point?
Adjust the distance between lights. I made pre-cut piece of wood I use to evenly space my lights the same distance apart. With this method you would adjust where you drill the holes.
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