Solar Panels in Webster Start With a Roof That Can Hold Them
Panels sit on your roof for many years. Before any go up, the roof underneath should be ready to last just as long.
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Check the roof first
Half of the homes in Webster were built before 1991 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). If your roof is near the end of its life, panels installed today may have to come off for a replacement in a few years. That adds a removal and reinstallation job you could have avoided.
As a roofing company, GemSco looks at the decking, shingles and flashing before installation. If the roof needs repair or replacement, it is far simpler to do it first.
Shade, roof pitch and which slopes face the sun also shape the layout, but the roof's condition comes first. A strong layout on a weak roof is still a problem waiting to happen. If you are unsure, start with a look at roof repair in Webster to see what small fixes involve.
Questions to answer before going solar
How old is the roof, and how much life does it have left?
Is the decking solid where the mounts will be fastened?
Has the roof been inspected since the last hailstorm?
Which slopes have room for panels without blocking vents or valleys?
Do you own the home, or do you need the owner's approval?
Webster factors to weigh
Hail history
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 31 hail reports within 10 miles of Webster from 2015 through 2024, topping out at 2.75 inches on May 31, 2024.
Owner decision
About 22 percent of occupied homes here are owner-occupied (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). Solar on a rental is the owner's call.
Older homes
A house built around 1991 may have original decking, which should be checked before mounts go in.
Roof materials and solar
Panels can be mounted on most roof types, but each one needs a different approach. Asphalt shingles are the most common base, and mounts are fastened through the shingles into the structure, then flashed. Metal roofs allow mounts that clamp to the seams on some profiles. Tile is more fragile, so tiles around each mount need careful handling.
Whatever the material, the goal is the same: every hole made for a mount must be sealed so water cannot follow the fastener into the decking. That is roofing work, and it is why the condition of the roof matters as much as the panels. Ask any installer how mounts will be flashed and who is responsible if a leak appears around one of them later.
How installation goes
Roof inspection
We confirm the roof can carry the system and fix problems first. Book a roof inspection in Webster.
Layout
Panels are placed around vents, valleys and edges so water still drains.
Mounting and sealing
Each mount is fastened and flashed so the roof stays watertight.
Free estimate
You get the scope in writing before work begins.
Planning ahead
If your roof is due soon, consider roof replacement in Webster before panels go up. Financing is available; see roof financing. If you already have panels and need roof work, visit solar panel removal and reinstallation in Webster. More on our solar panel installation service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar panels?
If the roof is older or has storm damage, usually yes. Replacing it later means taking the panels off and putting them back, which adds cost and time. An inspection first tells you how much life the roof has left and whether repairs are needed before the install.
Can hail damage solar panels?
Panels are built to handle some impact, but large hail can crack the glass or damage frames and wiring. Webster saw hail of 2.75 inches within 10 miles on May 31, 2024. After a storm like that, check both the panels and the roof around the mounts.
Can a renter install solar panels?
Not without the owner. Solar is fastened to the roof, so the property owner has to approve it and usually arranges it. In Webster most occupied homes are rented, so tenants interested in solar should start by talking with their landlord.
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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.