Taking Solar Panels Off a Katy Roof, and Putting Them Back
When the roof under your panels needs work, the panels come off first. Here is how the process works and what to ask before it starts.
Schedule Your Roofing Inspection Today
Fill out the information below and we’ll reach out to complete your estimate as soon as possible!
Why panels come off
Roof replacement
A new roof cannot go on under an array. The panels come down, the roof is replaced, and they go back up.
Leak under the array
A drip near a mount or under the panels is hard to reach until they are moved.
Storm damage
Hail or wind damage under the panels has to be exposed to be repaired and documented.
Decking repair
Soft or rotted boards under the array need the panels removed to be replaced.
New roof material
Moving from shingles to metal or another material means the mounts change to fit the new roof.
Katy homes with panels on aging or storm-hit roofs
Half of the homes in Katy were built before 2003 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Panels added to some of those homes years ago may now sit on a roof that is wearing out under them. Shingles under an array keep aging, and the parts you cannot see are often the first to fail.
Large hail has reached the area too. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 6 hail reports of 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of Katy from 2015 through 2024, in 2019, 2020 and 2023. If a storm damaged the roof, the panels usually have to come off so the damaged section can be repaired. Our page on hail damage roof repair in Katy explains the inspection.
Ownership matters as well. The census survey shows 81% of homes in Katy are owner-occupied. If your panels are leased or came with a home you bought, check the paperwork for who has to approve removal before work starts.
Removal and reinstallation, step by step
Document the system
Photos of the layout, panels, rails and wiring before anything is touched, so the system goes back the same way.
Confirm the electrical side
The electrical shutdown belongs to your solar provider or an electrician. Settle who does it before any panel moves.
Remove with care
Panels, rails and mounts come down in order.
Reinstall and seal
Panels go back on, each mount is sealed and the roof around the array is checked before the job is closed.
Questions to ask before the work starts
Who removes and reinstalls the panels, and who does the roof work?
Where and how will the panels be stored while the roof is open?
Will each mount get new flashing on the new roof?
Is the condition of the panels documented with photos before removal?
How will the system be checked after reinstallation?
More ideas in questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor.
One contractor for the roof and the panels
When one company handles both, there is no gap between the solar crew and the roofer. GemSco does roof repair, roof replacement and solar panel removal and reinstallation, so the mounts and the roof are planned together, and you have one point of contact if a mount ever leaks. If insurance is involved, coverage depends on your policy; see roof insurance claims. Learn more about solar panel removal and reinstallation and our work in Katy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just work around the panels instead of removing them?
For a small repair at the edge of an array, sometimes. For a replacement, a leak under the panels or damaged decking, the panels have to come off. Working around them often leaves the real problem in place and can damage the mounts or wiring.
Will my panels work the same after reinstallation?
When the system is documented, stored carefully and reinstalled to the same layout, it should work as before. Checking the panels and wiring before removal matters, because it shows any issue that already existed. Ask for those photos so you have a record.
Does insurance pay to remove and reinstall solar panels?
It depends on your policy and your insurance company. When a covered storm damages the roof, removal and reinstallation may be part of the claim, but that is decided by the insurer. GemSco can document the damage with photos and give a written estimate that lists the panel work.
More Roofing Help in Katy
Roofing in Katy, TX
City overviewRoof Repair in Katy
Learn MoreRoof Replacement in Katy
Learn MoreStorm & Hail Damage in Katy
Learn MoreRoof Inspection in Katy
Learn MoreCommercial Roofing in Katy
Learn MoreGutters in Katy
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation in Katy
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall Near Katy
Solar Removal & Reinstall in Fulshear, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Cypress, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Richmond, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Rosenberg, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Jersey Village, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Meadows Place, TX
Learn MoreWe’re Here to Help!
GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.