Thanks to the environmental benefits of a solar panel system, many homeowners have been installing one on their roofs. Solar panels help reduce air pollution and combat greenhouse gas emissions. As such, they can be a great investment in your home. Before anything else, you might find yourself wondering whether it is safe to install solar panels on your roof.
Fortunately, most modern roofs can handle the weight of solar panels, and if your roof is in tip-top shape, installation can be very easy. To help you understand more about solar panel installation, read this article from Barth Roofing Company, Inc.
Will Solar Panels Damage Your Roof?
One of the common questions you might ask your roofing contractor before adding solar panels is if they can damage your roof. As long as your installer is a qualified professional and your roof is in great shape, installing solar panels will not lead to roof damage. For this reason, solar panels are not fundamentally bad for your roof. Just make sure you’re working with a good installation company.
How Can Solar Panels Protect Your Roof?
In addition, your contractor might recommend adding solar panels as they can also protect your roof. Solar panels create a protective barrier between your roof and outside elements, such as wind, rain and snow. Most importantly, these panels can absorb direct sunlight that would fall directly to your roof. The gap between the panels and your roof also forms an air pocket that can provide a cooling effect on your roof.
How Do You Prepare Your Roof for Solar Panel Installation?
To make sure that your roof is in perfect condition, you should have your regular roofer examine it first. They will let you know if your roof structure is suitable for solar panels. Additionally, they can look for roof damage, such as loose tiles, broken shingles, breaks or cracks. They can make the necessary roof repair or replacement beforehand to prevent issues that might make it harder to install your solar panels.
A solar panel installation typically involves the bolting of panels to your roof with nails, bolts and straps. These nails and bolts are driven directly through the roofing and into the attic or ceiling. Over time, holes in the roof can lead to leakage or drainage problems. However, your solar installers usually add safety measures to ensure your roof won’t leak at all. To prevent leakage, the bolt fixture will be surrounded by flashing, a metal or plastic shield that fits under existing roof tiles.
Your solar panel contractor would also recommend not to oversize your solar panels. Oversized solar panels may take up more roof space than needed and add extra weight, which can negatively impact the structure of your roof. That’s why you must work with a reliable solar roof company to make sure that the installation is done correctly.
A solar panel installation is a great addition to your home, provided that you hire reputable solar panel contractors. As such, get in touch with us at Barth Roofing Company, Inc. We provide quality roofing services, including solar panel installation. Call us today at (209) 833-9917 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment.
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