Do Solar Panels Damage Your Roof?
It is a belief of many that installing solar panels on your home's roof can damage it. If installed by a professional and by using the right mounting equipment, you should not see any damage to your roof or the structural integrity of your home.
In many cases, solar panels can extend the life of your roof materials as it shields them from exposure to many elements, such as the heat from the sun.
Even though solar panels can help protect and extend the life expectancy of your roof, there are still things to watch out for where it could damage your roof.
How Solar Panels Can Damage Your Roof
The most common reason solar panels damage a roof is from a bad installation or not using a reputable installer. It is recommended to work with licensed installers that also carry insurance to insure that your home, and roof, will be protected.
If you do not work with a professional, you could see damages costing you thousands of dollars more from the improper installation of solar panels.
Due to the fact that installing solar panels will require you to penetrate the roof and roofing material, a bad installation can lead to shingle damage or leaking.
The weight of solar panels can be handled by most roofs but the total weight is taken into consideration and additional support can be added to help make sure your roof can carry the weight of the panels.
How to Reduce the Risk of Roof Damage
An experienced and fully licensed solar installer will use the right materials and techniques to properly mount the panels. Extruded aluminum rails and stainless steel hardware are perfectly designed to serve as a lightweight, sturdy, non damaging racking system.
Additionally, going above and beyond by double-butyling any roofing penetrations will provide extra peace of mind by making leaks virtually impossible. There are numerous techniques that only experience can provide.
Poorly managed roof penetrations, poorly constructed racking and poorly wired solar arrays can all pose a threat to the integrity of a roof. If a home or business owner is looking to avoid these dangers, it’s necessary to contact a professional solar installer who will take the time to mount the panels properly so that the roof stays structurally sound for decades to come.