Planning Solar in Addison: Roof First, Panels Second
A solar array lasts a long time. The roof under it has to last just as long, or the panels will need to come off. Here is how to plan it in Addison.
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Three things to settle first
Who owns the roof
Solar is the owner's decision. Tenants need the owner's approval before anything goes on the roof.
How old the roof is
A roof near the end of its life should be replaced before panels go up.
What storms have done
Hail damage under an array is hard to fix later. Check the roof now.
Where the panels will go
Vents, valleys and shade change the layout. The roof structure has to carry the array safely.
What Addison data means for solar
Half of the homes in Addison were built before 1998 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). A roof that is still original is about 28 years old, and putting new panels on it means removing them again when the roof is replaced. That is extra work you can plan around now.
The same survey shows only 18% of homes in Addison are owner-occupied. If you own a rental and are thinking about solar, the roof's condition and your lease terms both matter. If you rent, start with the owner.
Hail is the other piece. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 125 hail reports within 10 miles of Addison from 2015 through 2024, with 29 at 1.75 inches or more. The roof and the array both take those hits, so it is worth knowing what condition the roof is in before mounting anything to it.
Our process
Inspect the roof
We check shingles, decking and flashing, and look in the attic for signs of old leaks. If the roof needs work, we say so first.
Replace if needed
If the roof is near the end, we discuss roof replacement in Addison before the array.
Plan the layout
Panels are placed around vents, valleys and ridges with the roof structure in mind.
Mount and seal
Each attachment is flashed and sealed so the roof keeps shedding water.
Walk-through
We review the finished work with you.
Common mistakes to avoid
Putting panels on a roof that will need replacing soon.
Skipping a roof check after a hail season.
Using mounts that are not flashed into the roofing.
Hiring separate crews that each blame the other for a leak.
Mounting panels over soft or damaged decking.
Not keeping photos of the roof before the array goes on.
Leaving gutters and vents under the array without a plan for upkeep.
Talk to GemSco
Think of the roof as the foundation of the array. If the shingles, decking and flashing are sound, the panels have a solid base for years. If they are not, every future roof repair gets harder and more costly. Our guide on how long roofing materials last in Texas helps you compare the roof's remaining life to the life you expect from the panels.
GemSco is family owned, fully licensed and insured, with 20+ years of roofing experience. Because we handle both roofing and solar, the array and the roof are planned together. Learn more about our solar panel installation service or book a roof inspection in Addison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put solar panels on a rental property?
Yes, if you own it. The roof should be checked first so the panels are not sitting on a roof that needs replacing soon. If you rent, you need the owner's written approval before any work starts, since the roof and any changes to it belong to them.
How do I know my roof is ready for solar?
An inspection tells you. We look at the age of the shingles, the decking, the flashing and any storm damage. If the roof has many good years left, it can carry an array. If not, replacing it first saves you from removing the panels later.
What happens if the roof leaks under the panels?
The panels in that area may need to come off so the leak can be found and fixed. That is why careful sealing at each mount matters. If you need that work, see solar panel removal and reinstallation in Addison.
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GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.