Taking Panels Off and Putting Them Back: Roof Work Under Solar in Forest Hill
When the roof under a solar array leaks or wears out, the panels have to come off first. Doing it in the right order protects both.
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The removal and reinstall sequence
Inspect and document
We photograph the array, the wiring path and the roof before anything moves.
Remove the panels
Panels and racking come off.
Fix or replace the roof
The roof is repaired or replaced, including the deck and flashing at each old mount.
Reinstall
Mounts are flashed into the new roof and the panels go back on.
Final check
We review the roof and the array with you when the work is done.
Why it comes up in Forest Hill
Half of the homes in Forest Hill were built before 1971 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Some panels were installed on roofs that were already well into their life, and now those roofs need attention.
Storms speed things up. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 117 hail reports within 10 miles of Forest Hill from 2015 through 2024, and large hail came in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2024. Hail can damage the shingles around and under an array, and leaks at old mounts are common once the sealant ages.
Panels also hide the roof. Owners cannot see the shingles under the array from the yard, so damage there can go unnoticed until a stain shows up inside. A check under and around the panels after big storms is worth adding to your routine.
Reasons to take panels off
Roof replacement
The most common reason. See roof replacement in Forest Hill.
Leaks at mounts
Water entering at old attachment points needs the flashing redone.
Hail damage under the array
Shingles under panels can be damaged and need repair. See hail damage roof repair in Forest Hill.
Deck repair
Rotted boards beneath the panels cannot be reached any other way.
Why one team for roof and panels helps
When separate companies handle the panels and the roof, the gaps between them are where problems start. Panels can sit on the ground longer than planned, mounts can be reset into new shingles without proper flashing, and nobody owns the leak that shows up a few months later.
GemSco does roofing and solar panel removal and reinstallation, so the sequence stays in one set of hands. We are family owned, fully licensed and insured, and give free written estimates. Financing is available.
Questions to ask before the work starts
Who removes and reinstalls the panels, and who handles the roof in between?
Where will the panels be stored during the roof work?
How will the old mount holes be repaired?
Is the photo record of the array shared with you?
Does the written estimate list removal, roof work and reinstall as separate items?
Next steps
If you have a leak under your panels or a roof that is due for replacement, start with a roof inspection in Forest Hill. The photos show whether the panels need to come off and what the roof needs. For the service overview, see solar panel removal and reinstallation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the roof be repaired without removing the panels?
Sometimes, if the problem is away from the array or at its edge. Leaks under the panels, damaged decking beneath them or a full replacement usually require removal. We look at where the problem is and tell you whether the panels need to come off before giving you the written estimate.
Does insurance cover removing the panels?
It depends on your policy and your insurance company. Some policies treat panel removal as part of a covered roof repair and others do not. We document the roof and the array with photos and give you a written estimate. Your agent can explain how your policy handles it. See roof insurance claims.
Who handles both the panels and the roof?
GemSco does solar panel removal and reinstallation as well as roofing, so one company is responsible for the whole job. That avoids gaps between a solar crew and a roof crew. Learn more on our solar panel removal and reinstallation page or the Forest Hill roofing page.
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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.