Adding Solar in Forney: A Roofer's Checklist Before the Panels Go Up
A Forney roof built around 2010 may look solid, but its age and storm history decide whether it should carry panels now or after some work.
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What makes a roof ready for panels
Enough life left
The shingles should outlast a long span under the array, or be replaced first.
No hidden hail damage
Bruised shingles under panels are hard to reach later.
Solid decking
Mounts anchor into the deck and rafters, so soft areas must be fixed.
Good flashing and vents
Penetrations near the array should be sealed and sound. See signs your roof flashing is failing.
How GemSco handles a solar install
Roof work if needed
Repairs or a new roof happen before the panels, not after.
Layout and mounts
Mounts are placed on structure and flashed into the roof.
Installation
Panels go up on the racking.
Final walk-through
We review the work and the roof around the array with you.
Forney roofs and solar timing
Half of the homes in Forney were built before 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024), which puts many original roofs at about 16 years old. That is often past the halfway point for an asphalt roof in Texas sun. Installing panels on a roof in that range makes sense only if an inspection shows it has plenty of life left.
72 percent of Forney homes are owner-occupied, so most solar decisions are made by people who will live with the roof for a long time. Storms matter too. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 13 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of Forney from 2015 through 2024, including 4-inch hail on April 11, 2016. Panels and the roof under them face the same storms.
The practical rule is simple: if the roof will likely need replacing within the life of the panels, deal with the roof first. Taking panels off and putting them back later is possible, but it is a project of its own. Doing the roof before the array avoids it. Learn more on solar panel removal and reinstallation in Forney.
Keep the inspection photos with your solar paperwork. They record the roof before the array went up.
Questions to ask any solar installer
Who inspects the roof before installation, and do I get photos?
How are the mounts flashed and sealed?
Who do I call if a leak shows up at a mount?
What happens if the roof needs replacing later?
Is the roof condition written into the estimate?
Will the roof around the array be checked again after installation?
Are the roof photos shared with me before work starts?
Roof and solar from one company
GemSco installs roofs and solar panels, so the roof under the array is part of the same job. We are family owned, fully licensed and insured, and estimates are free. Financing is available. If the roof needs replacement first, see roof replacement in Forney. More at solar panel installation.
Our guide on how long roofing materials last in Texas can help you compare the expected life of your roof with the time panels usually stay in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 16-year-old roof too old for solar?
Not automatically. It depends on the material, how the roof has weathered and whether storms have damaged it. Some roofs that age have many good years left, others are close to replacement. An inspection with photos tells you which, before you commit to an array that would need to come off later.
Will panels protect my roof from hail?
Panels cover part of the roof, but they also take hail themselves, and the shingles around and under them can still be damaged. They are not a substitute for a sound roof. A strong roof, with impact-rated shingles if you are replacing, gives the whole system a better base.
What happens to my roof warranty with solar?
Manufacturer and installer terms vary, so read the documents for your roof before adding panels. Some require specific installation methods for mounts. We look at your roof and explain how the attachments will be flashed, so you can check that against the terms you have.
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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.