Going Solar in Southlake: Get the Roof Ready First
A solar array sits on your roof for many years. In a place with this much hail, the roof under it deserves as much planning as the panels.
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Before you add panels, ask
How old is my roof and how much life does it have left?
Has it been through hail since it was installed?
Are there soft spots, stains or leaks in the attic?
Will the panels cover valleys, vents or skylights?
Who will seal and maintain the roof around the mounts?
What happens if the roof needs work after the panels go up?
Is the roof covered by any open insurance claim or pending repair?
Southlake homes and solar readiness
Southlake is a town of owners: 95% of homes are owner-occupied, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 2020-2024). The same survey shows half of the homes were built before 1997. If you own one of those homes and the roof is getting older, consider its age before you mount anything on it.
Hail is the other factor. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 202 hail reports within 10 miles of Southlake from 2015 through 2024, including 51 of 1.75 inches or larger. Large hail can crack panel glass and bruise the shingles around the mounts. Planning for that means starting with a sound roof and knowing how you would handle a storm repair under the array.
It also helps to keep a record. Photos of the roof before the install give you a baseline, so if a storm hits later, it is easier to show what the roof looked like before and what changed.
Roof factors that shape a solar install
Remaining roof life
A roof near the end of its life should usually be replaced before panels go on.
Material
Shingle, metal and tile roofs each use different mounting methods.
Decking condition
Mounts need solid wood. Soft spots must be fixed first.
Drainage paths
Panels should not block valleys or trap debris where water flows.
Roof pitch and shape
Many planes, dormers and hips limit where panels can sit and how the mounts are spaced.
A roof-first solar process
Inspect the roof
Every slope and the attic are checked, with photos. See roof inspection in Southlake.
Repair or replace
Damaged areas are fixed, or the roof is replaced if it is near the end. Learn more on roof replacement in Southlake.
Lay out the array
Panels are placed to suit the roof shape and keep vents and valleys clear.
Flash every mount
Each attachment is sealed and flashed to keep the roof watertight.
Check the finished roof
The area around the array is reviewed for loose or damaged material.
One team for roof and panels
When the same team handles the roof and the solar install, mounting and waterproofing are planned together. If the panels ever have to come off for roof work, see solar panel removal and reinstallation in Southlake. For tips on getting a roof ready for storm season, read how to protect your roof before severe weather. Keep the area under and around the array clean so leaves do not trap moisture against the shingles.
GemSco offers solar panel installation along with roofing, with 20+ years of experience and free estimates. Financing is available. Learn more about solar panel installation or our work in Southlake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hail in Southlake break my solar panels?
Panels are built to handle some hail, but very large stones can crack the glass or bend frames. Southlake has seen hail up to 4.25 inches in recent years. After any big storm, it is wise to have both the panels and the roof underneath them checked.
How old is too old for a roof under solar panels?
There is no single number, since it depends on the material and its condition. If an inspection shows the roof has only a few good years left, replacing it before installing panels avoids removing and reinstalling the array soon after.
Can solar panels go on a metal or tile roof?
Yes. Different roof types use different mounting hardware. Metal roofs often allow clamps that do not penetrate the panels, while tile roofs need special mounts and careful handling of the tiles. The roof material should be part of the plan from the start.
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