As sustainable energy production becomes more popular, homeowners may find themselves drawn to the idea of installing solar panels in their homes. However, if you’ve never made this investment before, there are many steps toward preparing your roof for solar panels that you might not know about. Without proper preparation, you may find yourself losing out on your investment.
At Lifetime Roofing, our team understands how exciting it can be to invest in solar panels for your home. However, without proper preparation, you may find yourself dealing with unexpected and costly damage. If you want to learn about preparing your roof for solar panels, keep reading to see what our team recommends.
1. Assess Your Roof Condition
One of the first steps to preparing your roof for solar panels is assessing its current condition. Check for signs of broken or missing shingles or a damaged gutter system. These will need to be addressed before your solar panels can be installed. However, it is important that you avoid walking on your roof if possible.
Walking on your roof may lead to more damage to your roof’s most fragile components, which can result in costly repairs you aren’t prepared for. You also risk slipping while on your roof and hurting yourself. If you don’t have the appropriate tools to inspect your roof, it is best to contact a roofing professional for an inspection.
2. Ensure Structural Integrity
While your roof is designed to withstand a great deal of weight, they aren’t infallible. Adding solar panels to your roof can add even more weight to it. If you are preparing your roof for solar panels, you should ensure your roof is structurally sound enough to withstand this additional weight.
To ensure they are ready, it is best to reach out to a structural engineer or solar panel professional. They can determine if there are any problem areas that they feel need to be addressed before this installation begins. You may need to invest in additional support beams or racking systems to ensure the weight is distributed evenly across the roof.
3. Consider Roof Orientation and Shading
The orientation of your roof and the amount of shade it experiences throughout the day play a significant role in the amount of solar energy you may produce. Ideally, your roof should be south-facing with minimal shading from trees, buildings, and other obstructions to be most beneficial to your home.
Depending on your location and energy needs, some east—and west-facing roofs can also be suitable for solar panels. If shading is unavoidable, you might want to trim your trees as you begin preparing your roof for solar panels. This trimming will ensure optimal solar exposure throughout the day and help you produce the most solar energy possible.
4. Evaluate Roof Age and Consider Replacement
On average, asphalt shingle roofs have a 20- to 30-year life expectancy. While some maintenance can help extend this, these materials will deteriorate over time. As you prepare your roof for solar panels, it might be a good time to note its age and whether it is approaching the end of its lifespan.
The last thing you want to do after investing in solar panels is remove them to perform a roof replacement. If you notice any leaks or broken shingles that you believe may indicate that it is time to invest in a new roof, call your trusted roofing company to schedule a replacement before your solar team comes to install the panels.
5. Invest in a High-Quality Team and Materials
When it comes to solar panel installation, quality matters. To get the most out of your investment, choose reliable, high-quality solar panels. Read reviews and ensure the product you purchase is worth the time and money invested. You should also work with an experienced team that can ensure the entire process goes smoothly.
These professionals will ensure the process goes smoothly and have any necessary licensing and insurance in case of potential damage. While solar panel installation is a great investment in your home, they aren’t worth the risk of substantially damaging your roof. By working with reliable professionals while preparing your roof for solar panels, you can trust that they’ll do all they can to prevent unnecessary damage.
6. Plan for Maintenance
When you install solar panels on your roof, you might believe that you don’t need to worry about roof maintenance. These panels should block any large debris that can cause significant, costly damage to your roof. However, it is still important to plan for maintenance when preparing your roof for solar panels.
You may want to develop a maintenance plan that includes inspections and cleanings. During these inspections, your solar panel team may spot minor roofing problems that can impact the performance and well-being of your solar panels. Proper maintenance will not only maximize your energy production but also extend the lifespan of your solar investment.
Preparing Your Roof for Solar Panels with Lifetime Roofing
Whether you are preparing your roof for solar panels, performing regular maintenance, or considering investing in a new roof, it is essential that you work with a reliable roofing company. Our team at Lifetime Roofing has provided roofing services to homes across the North Salt Lake City area since 2008, and we’re confident that we can deliver the roof you’ve been dreaming of.
From traditional asphalt shingles to more modern metal roofs and everything in between, our team provides a variety of roofs to match every home perfectly. If you are preparing your roof for solar panels and would like to learn more about how our team can help, don’t hesitate to contact us today for support.