If you have decided on solar, the roof needs to be ready before the first panel goes up. Panels are designed to last 25 years or more, and any roof problem underneath them becomes much more expensive to fix once they are installed.
Not sure what shape your roof is in?
Free inspection scheduled within 24 hours. Free, with photos you keep.
Check the roof's age and condition
If the roof has less than 15 years of life left, replace it first. Otherwise you will pay to remove and reinstall the panels when the roof wears out.
Also fix any existing problems: cracked vent boots, lifted shingles, worn flashing and hail damage. If the roof has storm damage, it may be covered by insurance, so file before the panels go on.
Check the decking
Panels are fastened through the shingles into the rafters or decking. Soft, rotted or delaminated decking needs to be replaced first. A roofer can check from the roof and the attic.
Slope and orientation
In Texas, south-facing slopes usually produce the most, and west-facing slopes produce more in the late afternoon, when summer demand is highest. Common residential pitches work well for solar. Very steep roofs make installation harder, and very flat roofs need tilted racks. Trees that shade the roof reduce output.
Which roofing works best
Ventilation
Panels shade the roof, but the attic still needs balanced ventilation. Make sure vents are not covered by panels, and fix ventilation problems before the install.
How the mounts should be installed
Every mount is a hole in your roof. Each one should have a flashing that is woven under the shingles above it, not just a bead of sealant around the bolt. Sealant alone dries and cracks in Texas heat, and that is where most solar-related leaks start.
Coordinate roofer and installer
Ask the solar company how they flash mounts, whether they will honor leaks around them, and how the mounts affect your roof's warranty. If your roof is being replaced first, let the roofer know solar is coming, so the plan works for both.
We do not install solar, but we can inspect and replace your roof before the panels go up. Call (855) 741-ROOF.