Solar Panels in DeSoto Start With the Roof
Panels sit on your roof for many years. The best time to deal with the roof is before they go up, not after.
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A solar project in the right order
Inspect the roof
We check shingles, decking, flashing and attic before any panel layout. A roof inspection in DeSoto is the first step.
Fix or replace first
If the roof has only a few years left, it is easier to replace it now than to remove panels later.
Plan the layout
Panels go where the roof structure and the sun allow, with space around vents and edges.
Install and seal
Mounts are fastened into the structure and flashed so each attachment stays watertight.
Walk through the result
We review the finished install and the roof around it with you.
What DeSoto's housing data means for solar
Half of the homes in DeSoto were built before 1993 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). A roof on a house that age may be the original or a second roof that is already partway through its life. Putting new panels on an old roof means paying to take them off again when the roof wears out.
Ownership matters as well. About 70% of homes in DeSoto are owner-occupied (ACS 2020-2024). Solar is a decision the owner makes, so renters should talk to the landlord before anything else.
A simple way to think about it: the panels and the roof under them should be on a similar clock. If the roof will need replacing well before the panels are done, that is a cost you will pay twice, once to replace the roof and once to move the array. Checking the roof first keeps those clocks in line. Our guide on how long roofing materials last in Texas helps put a number on your roof.
Hail and panels
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 75 hail reports within 10 miles of DeSoto from 2015 through 2024.
The largest was 4 inches, reported on June 12, 2023.
Ask about the hail rating of the panels you are considering.
Ask your insurer how panels are handled on your homeowner's policy.
After a big storm, have both the panels and the roof under them checked.
Questions to settle before you sign
Roof age
How many years does the current roof have left, and is it worth replacing first?
Material
Asphalt shingle, metal and tile each use different mounting methods.
Structure
Is the decking solid where the mounts will go?
Future roof work
Who removes and reinstalls the panels if the roof needs repair later? GemSco offers solar panel removal and reinstallation in DeSoto.
One contractor for roof and solar
Because GemSco handles roofing and solar, the same team can look at the roof and the panels as one system. That matters later too: if a storm damages the roof around the array, you call one contractor who already knows how the system was mounted, instead of trying to coordinate two companies on the same roof. Financing is available and estimates are free. Learn more about solar panel installation or roofing in DeSoto.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar?
If the roof is near the end of its life, usually yes. Panels have to come off and go back on for a roof replacement, which adds cost later. An inspection shows how much life the roof has left, so you can decide with real information instead of a guess.
Can solar panels go on any type of roof?
Panels can be installed on most asphalt shingle and metal roofs, and on tile with the right mounting method. Each material needs its own attachments and flashing. The roof also needs solid decking under the mounts. We check the material and the structure before planning the layout.
What happens to the roof under the panels during a hailstorm?
Panels cover part of the roof, but hail can still reach the exposed areas, the edges and the flashing around the mounts. After a storm with large hail, both the panels and the roof should be checked. We inspect and document what we find with photos.
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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.