Installing A Solar Panel Without Damaging The Roof
by William Gerard
Many people will tell you that installing a solar panel on the roof causes roof damage. This may be true, but not in all situations; there are precautions to take to ensure the damage doesn't happen. Here are a few examples of these precautions:
Strengthen the Roof's Structure
If your roof wasn't built to be solar-ready, then it's probably not strong enough to handle the additional weight of solar panels. When constructing a roof, contractors take into account different things such as the weight of the roof materials, foot traffic, and snow. A solar panel, however, isn't likely to be part of the equation unless you specifically ask for it. Therefore, if your roof isn't solar ready, then a roofing contractor will probably need to strengthen it before the panels are installed.
Preempt Water Flow Problems
Water damage is one of the most feared problems when it comes to solar installations. It usually happens when the panels' racks and harnesses interfere with the normal flow of water, causing water (from rainfall or melting snow) to pond on the roof. After some time, the standing water damages the roof enough to leak into the rooms below. This problem can easily be preempted by having a professional installer handle the task so that they take into account the natural flow of water and avoid blockage.
Avoid Damages during Installation
Aside from drainage issues, installation damages may also cause the roof to leak. This may happen, for example, if the installer drills a hole only to realize that they are drilling the wrong place, in which case they will have to drill another hole in the correct place. There is also the issue of walking on the wrong parts of the roof, which are more susceptible to damage, or letting sharp or heavy tools fall carelessly on the roof.
Preempt Blockage of Roof Drains
Lastly, you should also know that poor workmanship during solar installation can lead to drainage blockages somewhere down the line. A common way in which this happens is when the ballast used on the roof is of poor quality, and it starts to disintegrate after some time. Bits and pieces of the material will roll off the roof and block the gutters and downspouts. It may sound like a cliché, but it's true that professional workmanship will preempt this problem too.
As you can see, most of the problems associated with roof damage due to solar installation can be prevented by having a professional handle the installation. If you don't do that, then you will end up blaming your roofing contractor for a problem that is not of their making. All isn't lost, however, if your roof is already experiencing problems due to shoddy solar installation; consult a roofing contractor today for advice on how to rectify the damage.
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About Me
Do you know how to tell if you have problems with your flashing, loose shingles, or damaged tar pitch? Well, I didn't either until I experienced some of those issues on my own. One day, I realized that my roof was leaking and that I needed to find a solution fast. After contacting a professional roofing company, they were able to solve my troubles and teach me the signs of trouble. I want you to avoid the same types of hassles, which is why my blog is filled to the brim with information about roofing and home ownership. You never know, these tips could really come in handy!