Solar on a Richardson Roof: Start With What Is Underneath
Panels sit on a roof for many years. If the roof under them is old or hail-worn, the solar project should start with the roof, not the panels.
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The roof question comes first
Half of the homes in Richardson were built before 1986 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Many have roofs that were already replaced once and may be due again. Putting panels on shingles with only a few good years left means paying later to take the panels off, fix the roof and put them back.
A roof check before installation answers three questions: how much life the roof has left, whether the decking can hold the mounts securely, and whether any repairs should happen first. If a replacement is on the table, see things to do before replacing your roof. It also shows whether flashing at walls and vents near the planned array is due for replacement, since those spots get harder to reach once panels are in place.
What hail means for panels and the roof
The local record
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 150 hail reports within 10 miles of Richardson from 2015 through 2024, with 41 of them 1.75 inches or larger.
Panel ratings
Panel makers publish hail ratings for their products. Compare them before you buy.
The roof under the array
Shingles under panels are partly sheltered, but exposed edges and mounts still take hits.
Checks after storms
A post-storm inspection should cover both the panel surfaces and the roof around them.
How GemSco approaches a solar install
Inspect the roof
We review the shingles, flashing, decking and attic, with photos.
Repair or replace first if needed
Doing this before the panels go up avoids a second round of work. See roof replacement in Richardson.
Plan the layout
Mounts are placed to stay clear of valleys and vents and to keep water moving off the roof.
Seal every penetration
Each mount is flashed and sealed so the roof stays watertight.
Written estimate
You get a free estimate in writing before work starts.
Questions to ask before you sign
How old is my roof and how much life does it have left?
Who is responsible if the roof leaks at a mount?
What happens if the roof needs work in a few years?
Is my roofing material suited to the mounting system?
Does my homeowners policy cover the panels against hail?
How roof material changes the install
Asphalt shingle: the most common base. Mounts are bolted to the framing and flashed under the shingle courses above them.
Metal: mounting depends on the panel profile and seam type, and some systems clamp to seams instead of drilling through.
Tile: tiles around each mount have to be lifted, and cracked pieces replaced, so the underlayment stays protected.
Stone-coated steel and wood shake: both need mounts and flashing made for that surface.
Flat and low-slope sections: panels sit on racks, and every attachment point has to be sealed into the membrane.
Who makes the call
About 51 percent of Richardson homes are owner-occupied, per the U.S. Census Bureau. If you rent, the owner decides what goes on the roof. Learn more about solar panel installation, solar panel removal and reinstallation in Richardson and roofing in Richardson. GemSco has 20+ years of roofing experience and is fully licensed and insured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can solar panels go on any type of roof?
Most common roof types can take panels, including asphalt shingle, metal and tile, but each needs its own mounting approach. Tile, for example, needs extra care so pieces do not crack. The roof's condition matters as much as its material, and a roof check before installation shows whether the surface and decking are ready.
Should I replace my roof before going solar?
If the roof is near the end of its life, usually yes. Replacing it first avoids removing and reinstalling the panels a few years later. If the roof is newer and in good shape, installation can go ahead. An inspection with photos helps you decide with facts instead of guesses.
Do panels protect the roof from hail?
They cover part of the roof, so the shingles under them take fewer direct hits. But the edges of the array, the rest of the roof and the panels themselves stay exposed. After a large hail event, have both the panels and the roof checked, and keep dated photos of what you find.
More Roofing Help in Richardson
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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.