Solar Panels on Bedford Roofs: What to Settle Before Installation
Solar is a long commitment for your roof. In a city with Bedford's hail record and older homes, the roof under the panels deserves as much attention as the panels themselves.
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Bedford facts that affect a solar install
Start with who decides. In Bedford, 51 percent of homes are owner-occupied (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). For the rest, panels are a landlord's call, and so is any roof work they require.
Next is the roof's age. Half of the homes in Bedford were built before 1983, according to the same survey. Even if your shingles were replaced along the way, the decking under them is as old as the house. Rails and mounts are fastened through that wood, so it has to be sound.
Last is the weather. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 165 hail reports within 10 miles of Bedford from 2015 through 2024, with 29 at 1.75 inches or larger and a peak of 3.25 inches on May 27, 2024. Panels and the roof around them both need to be ready for that.
Our roof-first approach
Decide on the roof
If it has only a few years left, replace it first. See roof replacement in Bedford.
Lay out the array
Keep panels clear of valleys, vents and drainage paths.
Mount and flash
Every attachment is sealed and flashed to keep water out.
Walk it after
Check the roof around and under the array edges once the job is done.
Common worries, answered
Leaks at mounts
Proper flashing at each attachment point is what prevents them.
Hail on panels
Panels are impact-tested but can still crack in very large hail. Check them after big storms.
Future reroof
If the roof needs replacing later, the panels must come off and go back on, which adds cost.
Matching the roof's life to the panels
The simplest way to think about it: panels are meant to stay on the roof for a long time, so the roof under them should have a long life ahead too. If your shingles are already showing wear, granule loss or hail bruises, the panels may still be working when the roof gives out. At that point every panel has to come off, be stored and go back up, on top of the cost of the new roof.
Our guide on how long roofing materials last in Texas helps estimate where your roof stands. If the answer is close, replacing the roof first is often the cleaner plan.
Before you sign a solar contract
Ask who inspects the roof and what happens if it needs work.
Ask how mounts are flashed and sealed.
Ask who to call if a leak appears near the array.
Ask for photos of the roof before the panels cover it.
Read up on how to protect your roof before severe weather.
One contractor for both
GemSco does roofing and solar panel installation, so one team answers for the roof and the array. We are family owned, fully licensed and insured, with 20+ years of experience. Estimates are free and financing is available. Learn more on our solar panel installation page or our Bedford page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wait to install solar until after hail season?
There is no perfect season, but it makes sense to check your roof after spring storms and before installing. If recent hail damaged the shingles, you want those repairs or a replacement done first so the panels go on a sound roof.
Can a renter in Bedford install solar panels?
Usually not without the owner's written approval, since the panels attach to the roof and affect the building. With about half of Bedford homes rented, this comes up often. Talk to your landlord first and make sure any agreement covers the roof as well.
How is the roof under the panels maintained?
Keep debris from building up under the array edges and check the mounts and flashing during regular roof inspections. After big storms, have both the panels and the roof looked at. Issues found early are easier to fix without removing panels.
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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.