Solar Panels in Arlington: Start With the Roof Underneath
Solar panels sit on your roof for many years. Before you install them, make sure that roof is ready to carry them.
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Questions to answer before installing solar
How old is the roof, and how much life does it have left?
Has the roof been through a large hailstorm since it was installed?
Is the decking solid where the panels and mounts will go?
Are the flashing and vents in good shape, or will they need work soon?
Do you own the home? In Arlington, 54 percent of homes are owner-occupied (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024), and the decision to add panels belongs to the owner.
Why roof condition comes first
Panels block access
Once panels are on, repairs under them require removing and reinstalling the array.
Mounts go through the roof
Each attachment must be flashed and sealed correctly to avoid leaks.
Old roofs fail first
If the roof wears out before the panels, you pay for removal and reinstallation sooner than planned.
One contractor, one plan
A roofer who also installs solar can plan both systems together.
Material matters
Shingle, metal and tile roofs each take panel mounts differently. The installer should know the roof type before planning the layout.
What Arlington data says about roofs and panels
Half of the homes in Arlington were built before 1986 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Many roofs on those homes have been replaced, but some are near the end of their life. If yours is, replacing it before installing panels avoids doing the work twice. Our roof replacement in Arlington guide can help you decide.
Hail is the second factor. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 33 hail reports of 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of Arlington from 2015 through 2024, with a maximum of 5.0 inches on June 12, 2023. Hail can damage both the panels and the roof around them, so the roof surface and the panel mounts should be in solid condition from day one.
Home age alone does not decide it. A newer roof can still carry storm damage, and an older one may have been replaced recently. The inspection is what tells you.
Hail, panels and your roof after a storm
Panels and roof do not fail the same way. Hail can crack a panel, dent its frame or loosen wiring, while the shingles around it lose granules or bruise. After a large-hail event, both should be checked. A roofer can look at the roof surface, the flashing at each mount and the attic below.
If the roof under the array needs work later, the panels must come off first. That is a separate job, covered in our guide to solar panel removal and reinstallation in Arlington. Planning ahead keeps that from becoming a surprise.
How a solar installation with GemSco works
Roof inspection
We check shingles, decking, flashing and the attic before any panel plan. Start with a roof inspection in Arlington.
Roof work if needed
Repairs or a replacement happen first, so the panels go on a sound surface.
Panel layout and mounting
Mounts are placed and sealed so they do not create new leak points.
Final check
The roof and the installation are reviewed together before the job is closed.
Keep records
Photos of the roof before and after installation help if questions come up later. Learn more about solar panel installation or call (844) 980-5506.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar panels?
If the roof is near the end of its life or has storm damage, replacing it first is usually the smart order. Removing panels later to replace the roof adds cost and time. A roof inspection tells you how much life is left so you can decide with real information.
Can hail damage solar panels in Arlington?
Large hail can damage panels and the roof around them. Arlington had 33 hail reports of 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles from 2015 through 2024. After a storm, have both the panels and the roof checked. Coverage for any damage depends on your policy and your insurer.
Will solar panel mounts cause roof leaks?
They should not if they are installed and flashed correctly. Every mount goes through the roof surface, so the sealing method matters. Leaks around mounts usually come from poor flashing or from mounts placed on damaged decking. That is why the roof is checked before any panel goes up.
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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.