Solar Panel Installation in Irving Starts With the Roof Under It
Panels sit on your roof for many years. If the roof needs work soon after, they have to come off. A roofer's view helps you plan the order right.
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A roof-first path to solar
Inspect the roof
Check shingle condition, flashing and the deck. A roof inspection in Irving gives you a photo record.
Decide on the roof first
If the roof is near the end of its life, replacing it before solar avoids removing panels later.
Plan the layout
Panels go where the roof can carry them, with access paths and room around vents.
Mount and seal
Each attachment goes through the roof and must be flashed so it does not become a leak.
Final check
Look at the attic below the array for any sign of water after the first heavy rain.
Irving numbers that shape the decision
Half of the homes in Irving were built before 1986 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Even on a house that has had its roof replaced, the shingles may already be many years into their life. Adding panels on an aging roof means a removal and reinstall when it is time to replace it.
Hail is the other factor. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 80 hail reports within 10 miles of Irving from 2015 through 2024, and 12 were 1.75 inches or larger. The largest was 3 inches, on June 6, 2018. Panel makers rate their products for impact, so ask for that rating before you choose.
Ownership matters too. Only 38 percent of Irving homes are owner-occupied, per the same Census survey. Solar on a rental is the property owner's decision.
Questions to ask before you sign
How old is my roof, and will it outlast the panels?
Who seals the roof attachments, and who handles a leak at one?
What hail rating do the panels carry?
What happens to the panels if the roof needs repair later?
Is my roof material suited to the mounting system?
Will the attachment points be photographed before the panels cover them?
Where will conduit and wiring cross the roof, and how is each crossing sealed?
Roof types and solar
Asphalt shingle
The most common base for panels. Condition matters more than type.
Metal
Some metal roofs allow mounts that clamp to the seams without drilling through the panels.
Tile
Possible, but tiles can break during install. Spare tiles and careful work help.
Flat or low-slope
Uses racks set at an angle. The membrane under them needs protection.
Roofing and solar from one team
One more point is often missed. Panels shade the shingles under them and slow the wear there, but they also hide those shingles from view. Problems under an array can go unnoticed for a long time, so starting with a sound roof and clean flashing is worth the extra step.
GemSco offers solar panel installation along with roof repair and replacement, so the roof and the array are planned together. Estimates are free. If you already have panels and need roof work, see solar panel removal and reinstallation in Irving. More on our solar panel installation service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar in Irving?
If your roof is close to the end of its life, yes, it usually makes sense. Otherwise the panels must come off and go back on when the roof is replaced. An inspection shows how much life the roof has left before you decide.
Can hail damage solar panels?
Large hail can crack panel glass, and Irving has logged hail up to 3 inches. Panels are tested for impact, and ratings vary by product. Ask the installer for the rating, and check how your homeowners policy treats panels. Coverage depends on the policy and insurer.
Do solar mounts cause roof leaks?
Each mount goes through the roof, so it needs proper flashing. When installed and sealed correctly, mounts should not leak. Problems come from rushed work or sealant used in place of flashing. That is why a roofer's eye on the installation matters.
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